MLB Player News

The Cardinals just acquired Kittredge from the Rays last week for OF Richie Palacios. The 33-year-old Kittredge posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2023 after coming back from Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Kittredge registered a 3.15 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 14/2 K/BB ratio in 20 innings before getting hurt, so he figures to provide a boost for the Cardinals’ pen.

Heyman added during a live stream for Bleacher Report on Wednesday that Scherzer’s market is “heating up” so it’s not out of the question that he could decide on his future at some point in the coming days. No word on which specific teams are in the mix at this juncture. The 40-year-old former ace was limited to just nine starts last season for the Rangers due to a series of injuries following his midseason return from offseason back surgery. Fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate Scherzer shouldering a considerable workload at his advanced age, regardless of where he winds up signing. However, he remains a viable streaming option in favorable matchups, especially in deeper mixed leagues.

Luzardo, who was acquired by the Phillies a couple weeks ago in a late-December trade, added that he’s had a normal throwing program this offseason after being limited to just 12 starts this past season for the Marlins due to a flexor strain and back issue. The 27-year-old southpaw is the front-runner to open next season as the Phillies’ fifth starter and figures to make an impact for fantasy managers, even in shallow mixed leagues, if his strikeout rate returns to pre-2024 levels.

Gilbert was designated for assignment by the Phillies, and will now go from a World Series contender to a team that lost 121 games. Happy New Year. Gilbert should actually get a chance to pitch for the White Sox, however, something that wasn’t likely as a member of the Philadelphia organization.

Combs was one of about a billion players drafted out of Tennessee last year, and was selected in the ninth round pick by the White Sox. The 23-year-old right-hander projects as a depth piece, but Philadelphia will do their best to unlock more. Fantasy managers can’t count on it yet.

Shewmake, 27, is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for recently-acquired Tyler Gilbert. Shewmake was a first-round pick who showed some promise early after being drafted, but has become just organizational fodder.

“He’s doing good,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said recently. “From my understanding, he really hasn’t shut down since the end of the season. He’s working out. He’s swinging the bat.” The harsh reality here is that Bryant has been limited to just 159 games over the last three years for Colorado due to injury since signing a massive seven-year, $182 million contract. The 32-year-old, who will open next year as the Rockies primary designated hitter and part-time right fielder, former impact fantasy contributor has completely fallen off fantasy manager’s radar screens due to persistent back issues. We’re not forecasting a bounce-back campaign, but there’s at least some optimism from the club that he’ll be ready to play at the outset of Cactus League action.

Wagner had his left knee scoped back in mid-September after meeting with specialists but is expected to be ready for spring training without any limitations. The 26-year-old’s path to regular at-bats becomes a bit clearer in the wake of Spencer Horwitz being shipped to Pittsburgh earlier this month as he’s the current front-runner to open next season as Toronto’s primary designated hitter after batting .305/.337/.451 with two homers in 86 plate appearances last year at the highest level. It was an extremely small sample size, but fantasy managers, especially those in deeper mixed leagues, should consider rolling the dice in the late rounds.

Anchia heads to Cleveland after spending the last seven years in Seattle’s system. The defensive-oriented backstop batted .210/.246/.358 with nine homers and three steals in 290 plate appearances last year for Double-A Arkansas. It’s no surprise the Guardians are bringing him in given his defensive abilities and the organization’s emphasis on pitching development.

It’s been roughly two weeks since Arenado invoked his no-trade clause to veto a potential trade to Houston and it’s unclear whether there is another trade partner out there willing to take on the roughly $60 million left on his contract over the next three years. It’s entirely possible that a spring training injury changes the calculus for a contending front office, but at this point it’s becoming increasingly likely that Arenado will return to St. Louis for the upcoming 2025 season.

Williams was fantastic in 2024 before a flexor tendon injury caused him to miss the final three-plus months of the season. He was 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA prior to that, and the Nationals will hope that he can be a semblance of that hurler in 2025 and 2026. Fantasy managers should probably not bet on it considering his track record prior to the breakout campaign.