MLB Player News

Ashby struggled with his control in his second start of the season for Milwaukee, handing out five free passes, but was able to limit a formidable Phillies lineup to just a fifth-inning homer by Nick Castellanos. Unfortunately, it was enough to saddle him with a loss as Aaron Nola and a pair of relievers combined on a three-hit shutout. The 26-year-old lefty figures to take the ball at least a couple additional times before the Brewers get some of their starting pitching depth back from injury. He’s in line to start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays back in Milwaukee.

The deal is now official. Pivetta heads to pitcher-friendly Petco Park to help bolster San Diego’s starting rotation mix after spending the previous four-plus seasons with the Red Sox. The 32-year-old right-hander has always struggled a bit from a run-prevention standpoint, but his 22.9 strikeout minus walk percentage last year was the sixth-best mark among pitchers with at least 140 innings. His proven track record of consistently missing bats in tandem with a favorable home environment in the NL West make Pivetta a surefire top 60 starting pitcher for fantasy purposes entering the 2025 season.

Flexen heads to Cubs camp as emergency starting pitching depth after posting a serviceable 4.95 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 123/63 K/BB ratio across 160 innings (33 appearances, 30 starts) last year with the cross-town White Sox. The 30-year-old will battle for a spot in Chicago’s season-opening pitching mix but will most likely have to spend some time at Triple-A Iowa.

Passan adds that the deal begins next season and buys out up to three years of free agency. The two sides avoided an arbitration hearing last month by agreeing to a one-year, $2.55 million pact for 2025. The 25-year-old is an outstanding defensive shortstop and has batted .235/.327/.330 in 401 contests since 2021. The big question here for fantasy purposes is how much Perdomo sticking around in the desert will complicate top prospect Jordan Lawlar’s long-term outlook.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports Gurriel will make $1.25 million if he’s in the majors. The 40-year-old veteran first baseman got into 18 contests last year for Kansas City and figures to have a decent shot at making San Diego’s season-opening lineup in a backup role behind Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth. He’ll compete in spring training with some combination of Jason Heyward, Connor Joe, Tirso Ornelas and Eguy Rosario for regular DH at-bats. There’s very little fantasy impact here, but his presence gives the Padres some insurance in case Ornelas isn’t ready for the big-league spotlight.

Avila heads overseas in an effort to bolster his long-term value after being removed last month from Cleveland’s 40-man roster. The 28-year-old righty was a durable workhorse last year for the Guardians, compiling a respectable 3.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 73/30 K/BB ratio across 74 2/3 innings (50 appearances). It’s possible he’ll convert back to a starting role overseas in Japan.

Barring a last-minute development, the Blue Jays and Guerrero won’t reach an agreement prior to the franchise cornerstone’s preferred report-date deadline prior to Tuesday’s first full-squad workout. The 25-year-old generational talent appears poised to hit free agency next offseason barring an unexpected reversal.

Kansas City also signed general manager J.J. Picollo to a contract extension through 2030. Quatraro finished second in AL Manager of the Year balloting last year after leading the Royals to 86 victories following a 56-win campaign the previous year.

Cáceres made two relief appearances for the Halos back in 2023 and missed all of last season due to a right lat strain. The 25-year-old righty will open the regular season back at Triple-A Salt Lake as extra organizational relief depth.

Lowder was slowed last week by right elbow soreness at the outset of camp, so it’s extremely positive to see him able to resume throwing without any issues. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect is vying for one of the final spots in Cincinnati’s season-opening rotation and will need to impress in Cactus League outings to break camp in the majors.

Seager underwent sports hernia surgery last September after finishing last season on the shelf due to hip soreness. The 30-year-old fantasy stalwart has become a bit more brittle as he ages, and is far from a lock to stay healthy for a full season anymore, but he’s been a consistent 30-homer power source since arriving in Texas. It’s an encouraging development that he’s entering spring training without any limitations.