MLB Player News

Hoffman is in the running for a back-end rotation spot this spring, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman had a lackluster 2018 showing, struggling to a 4.94 ERA in 105 Triple-A innings and a 9.35 ERA in 8.2 MLB innings. However, he was once one of the Rockies' top prospects and put up decent strikeout numbers in the minors last year (8.7 K/9). He has an outside chance to crack the Opening Day roster, but he'll need to outperform Chad Bettis and Antonio Senzatela to garner a rotation spot.

Graveman (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This is a procedural move, as Graveman is expected to miss most if not all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2018. This move opens up a 40-man roster spot for the Cubs while Graveman rehabs his injury.

Gsellman is not in contention for a rotation spot this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Manager Mickey Callaway said Wednesday that Jason Vargas will be the team's fifth starter and that there will be no competition for the job, contradicting reports from earlier in the winter. Gsellman could still be a starting candidate down the road, however, as a number of Mets starters have significant injury histories. He could also move back into the mix should the 36-year-old Vargas be unable to improve on the 5.77 ERA he posted last season.

Gott was traded to the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier in the month, but the Giants decided to pounce on him before he cleared waivers. Gott doesn't possess a ton of fantasy upside given the middling 6.1 career K/9, not to mention his 4.64 career ERA. However, he is out of minor-league options, so that could give him a leg up on other candidates for middle-relief work to start the season.

Alzolay (side) will be two weeks behind other pitchers during spring training, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Alzolay apparently felt something in his side while throwing last week, and seeing as his 2018 season was cut short due to a lat strain, the Cubs will proceed extra cautiously with the young right-hander. Alzolay figures to open the season back with Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across eight starts (39.2 innings) before getting hurt last season.

Nelson (shoulder) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Nelson appears poised for a normal spring training after incorporating his full pitch repertoire in Tuesday's session and reporting no issues afterwards. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander should open the season in Milwaukee's starting rotation. A healthy Nelson will look to return to his pre-injury form, as he compiled a 3.49 ERA and 199:48 K:BB across 29 starts (175.1 innings) in 2017 prior to going under the knife.

Stephenson is not expected to open the season in Cincinnati's starting rotation, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell suggested the team's Opening Day rotation will be comprised of Luis Castillo, Alex Wood, Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark and Anthony DeSclafani, leaving Stephenson to fill a long-relief/swingman role for the big club if he wants to open the season in the majors. The soon-to-be 26-year-old posted a 2.87 ERA and 10.8 K/9 across 20 starts with Triple-A Louisville in 2018, but he struggled across four appearances (three starts) for the big club, posting a 9.26 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and 11:12 K:BB in 11.2 innings.

Luetge signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Luetge's deal doesn't include an invitation to big-league spring training, so he'll presumably be ticketed for Triple-A Reno to begin his tenure in the Diamondbacks organization. The 31-year-old lefty owns a career 4.35 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 111 appearances at the MLB level but hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2015.

Gott was designated for assignment Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 26-year-old will make way on the 40-man roster for the return of Jeremy Hellickson. Gott posted a strong 3.02 ERA with the Angels back in 2015 but has yet to duplicate that success, recording an ugly 7.39 ERA in 28 innings over the past three seasons with the Nationals. That track record doesn't suggest that teams will be scrambling to claim him.

Law was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and will attend Giants' major-league spring training, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Law was designated for assignment last week but will remain with the Giants after going unclaimed on waivers. The 28-year-old no longer has a place on the 40-man roster, but will still have an opportunity in spring training. Law spent most of 2018 at Sacramento but did have 13.1 major-league innings with a 7.43 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.