MLB Player News

The good news for Lange is that the Tigers probably weren’t winning the game anyway, as he came on in the seventh with the team already down 4-0. Still, this was ugly; after getting the final out of the seventh, he retired just one of eight batters in the eighth. He gave up almost as many hits today as the six he had previously allowed in 14 innings this season, and his ERA, which was deflated by the fact that six of the seven runs he’d given up had been ruled unearned, went from 0.67 to 3.07. This can’t help his standing in the saves mix in Detroit.

Sheehan, 25, underwent Tommy John surgery in May. The right-hander is one of the more talented hurlers in the Los Angeles system, and even with a loaded rotation, he has a chance to make starts at some point in 2025 for the Dodgers. In terms of fantasy, he’s more of a 2026 play.

Freeman underwent the operation in early December. Gomes said that the first baseman won’t be in Cactus League games to begin the year, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of the year in Tokyo. Even with the operation, Freeman should be one of — if not the — first players at his position off the board.

More importantly — or at least equally as important — Gomes said that the team remains in contact about a possible reunion. Kershaw declined his $5 million player option at the end of the 2024 campaign, but the only question is whether he’ll retire or spend at least one more season as a member of the Dodgers. It’s hard to imagine he’ll help as a fantasy contributor even if the Hall of Famer returns in 2025.

It’s a little difficult to see a role for Hernandez on the current version of the Dodgers, but his ability to play everywhere and handle left-handed pitching — on top of the good vibes he provides the clubhouse — makes a reunion make sense. Wherever he lands, there won’t be a ton of fantasy value.

Rojas had his rehab delayed a couple of weeks, but it shouldn’t be something that lingers long into the spring it appears. The 35-year-old is expected to be a utility infielder for the Dodgers in 2025, and could see most of his appearances as a defensive replacement.

Santana submitted a $2.1 million figure. He was terrific for the Pirates last season, posting a 2.44 ERA in 44 1/3 innings, but he’s otherwise been a fringe guy over the course of his career. He has a 4.76 ERA in 221 1/3 lifetime innings.

Leiter had files at $2.5 million. The 33-year-old struggled for the Mets after arriving in a trade with the Cubs last summer, posting a 4.98 ERA in 21 2/3 innings. He has a 3.98 ERA and a 236/71 K/BB in 190 innings over the last three seasons.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested that a return in May was plausible, but it sounds like the Dodgers and Ohtani will put together a plan once pitchers and catchers report. While he may not pitch for at least the first month of the season, he is expected to be able to serve as a DH right away.

It doesn’t seem like the Padres made much of an attempt to keep free agent Ha-Seong Kim, who started out playing shortstop for the club last year. Bogaerts will definitely be happy to be back at his natural spot. The Padres are also slated to use Luis Arraez at first and Jake Cronenworth at second, assuming that neither is traded.

This is the safe way for the Padres to play it, though it would be fascinating to see if Morejón could stay healthy as a starter. The 25-year-old had a 2.83 ERA and a 71/21 K/BB in 63 2/3 innings out of the pen last season.