MLB Player News

The Dodgers agreed to a deal Sunday that sends Maeda and cash to the Twins in return for Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley and the 67th pick in the 2020 draft, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Following the drama between the Red Sox and Twins involving Graterol's medical history, it was uncertain whether the 31-year-old would find a new home before spring training arrived. Maeda finished the 2019 season with a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 169:51 K:BB across 26 starts. The veteran makes the move to another playoff contender and will likely compete for a spot near the top of the Twins' rotation during spring training.

McCullers enters training camp as the likely third starter, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will use spring training to figure out which of several candidates will slot in behind Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke. McCullers, who is coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery that cost him all of 2019, will lead the pack of aspiring rotation members. The question is how deep he can go. The right-hander has never thrown more than 128.1 innings, but new manager Dusty Baker is hopeful. "We need McCullers back badly and have him a full year," Baker said. "I'm sure he's raring to go and, hopefully, will make it to a full year." Other pitchers with significant MLB experience are Brad Peacock and Austin Pruitt. Beyond McCullers, Peacock and Pruitt, the Astros will be looking at several young prospects.

Glasnow (wrist) has scrapped his changeup and has been working on a splitter as his new third pitch, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow almost exclusively used his fastball and curveball last season, throwing his changeup just 3.5 percent of the time. It would be premature to alter Glasnow's projection based purely on the news that he's learning a new pitch, but an altered pitch mix certainly brings the potential for a new level of performance. It's not effectiveness but rather health that's the worry for Glasnow, however. He posted an incredible 1.78 ERA and a 33.0 percent strikeout rate last season, but that came in just 12 starts. There's already some cause to worry about his health for the upcoming season, as he underwent a wrist procedure in November, but he's expected to be on schedule for the start of camp.

Cobb (hip) will not have any restrictions when spring training begins for Orioles pitchers and catchers Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Cobb underwent hip surgery in June but will not be limited for spring training according to manager Brandon Hyde. Despite throwing only 12.1 innings and accruing a 10.95 ERA in 2019, Cobb is expected to open the season as the team's No. 2 starter.

Glasnow underwent a median nerve decompression procedure on his right wrist in November but has been throwing without issues and isn't expected to miss any time at the start of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Any surgery is a potential worry, and that's doubly true for a procedure on a pitcher's arm, but this particular surgery doesn't appear to be a major issue. Glasnow's health can't be fully trusted after forearm problems limited him to just 12 starts last season, and while this news adds at least a bit of extra risk, the righty can calm any potential fears by looking normal at the start of spring training.

Berrios will make $4.025 million in 2020 after losing his arbitration case, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Berrios was asking for $4.4 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 25-year-old made 32 starts for the Twins in 2019, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195:51 K:BB across 200.1 innings.

Montgomery appears to be a strong candidate to start the year in the Yankees' rotation following James Paxton's back surgery, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Paxton isn't expected back until May or June. With Domingo German not returning until June due to suspension, a handful of starts should be available behind Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ. Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga and Luis Cessa could also be in contention for a rotation spot, though Montgomery is the most accomplished of that group and should have the inside track, provided he looks good this spring after missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery.

Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy to remove a peridiscal cyst Wednesday and will miss 3-to-4 months.

The back procedure will prevent Paxton from making his season debut until sometime in May or June. Injuries are unfortunately nothing new for the lefty, who's never reached the 30-start threshold in any of his seven major-league seasons. The injury opens up a temporary spot in the Yankees' rotation, with Jordan Montgomery looking like the favorite to win it.

Stripling has been sent along with Joc Pederson from the Dodgers to the Angels, with Luis Rengifo and other undisclosed players heading the other way, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Stripling is a fairly expendable piece for a deep Dodgers pitching staff that lost Hyun-Jin Ryu (free agency) and Kenta Maeda (traded to Twins) this winter but gained David Price, Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson. The latter two pitchers represent depth options more than anything else, but both were seemingly ahead of Stripling in the pecking order. Stripling should have a more legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting role with the Angels, and at the very least, he'll offer a substantial upgrade over their existing swingman types. Over his 52 career MLB starts, Stripling has accrued a 3.71 ERA and 18.4 K-BB percentage while limiting opposing hitters to a .308 wOBA.

Houck is a potential candidate for Boston's starting rotation after the team traded David Price to the Dodgers on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The loss of Price leaves a major hole in the rotation, and Houck is one of several possible candidates entering spring training. The 23-year-old right-hander has overhauled his mechanics and added to his pitch mix since being drafted 24th overall out of Missouri in 2017. He recorded a 3.65 ERA in his 15 starts for Double-A Portland last year. He then pitched well in relief (2.05 ERA, 22 innings) at Triple-A Pawtucket. The team views him as a starter, and Houck will return to that role in 2020. Other potential candidates include Brusdar Graterol, who was acquired in the Price/Mookie Betts trade, Darwinzon Hernandez, Kyle Hart, Mike Shawaryn, Ryan Weber and Hector Velazquez. There are also a handful of free-agent starters still available on the market.