MLB Player News

Jefferies (elbow) will not have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies has been sidelined for the past year and a half while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, but he's fully recovered now and will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. The right-hander inked a minor-league contract with the Giants in December and seems likely to open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Sacramento's rotation.

Buchanan signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Buchanan had a 5.01 ERA in 35 starts for the Phillies between 2014 and 2015, but he's spent the past number of years playing overseas in Japan and Korea. The 34-year-old righty started 30 games for the Samsung Lions of the KBO last season and had a 2.54 ERA and 139:43 K:BB across 188 innings.

Ashcraft indicated Tuesday that he's still not quite 100 percent after having surgery on his right big toe in September, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft noted that the toe is "starting to get better" but it will "take its time to get feeling right." The right-hander fully expects to be ready to go come Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be a little behind other Reds pitchers in camp. Ashcraft posted a 4.76 ERA and 111:52 K:BB across 145.2 innings covering 26 starts in 2023.

Stoudt was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Stoudt really struggled in 2023, posting a 6.23 ERA at Triple-A Louisville and a 9.58 ERA during his brief time with the Reds. The 26-year-old has been a prospect of some significance in the past, so perhaps he'll draw some interest on waivers.

Ashcraft (toe) is projected to be part of the Reds' rotation, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Ashcraft, who suffered a toe injury at the end of August, missed the final month of the 2023 season. He underwent surgery in September, but the right-hander was expected to be ready to go by spring training. More should be learned about Ashcraft's status in the coming days. Cincinnati's pitchers and catchers report Tuesday and have their first workout Wednesday.

Lodolo (leg) is projected to be a member of the Reds' rotation, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Lodolo was limited to just seven starts in 2023 due to a lower-leg injury and will need to prove he's 100 percent healthy before the Reds hand him the final spot in the rotation. And, there will be no shortage of competitors for the job, as Brandon Williamson, Nick Martinez and Connor Phillips are in the mix. Cincinnati's staff should have the depth to manage any holes in the rotation that typically crop up during the regular season.

Henry and Ryne Nelson are expected to compete for the final spot in the rotation, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Henry had a decent run at the back end of the rotation during the 2023 season, taking over when Madison Bumgarner was designated for assignment in April before an elbow injury cut short his season. While Henry was healthy by September, he was not added to the postseason roster for any of the playoff rounds. The 26-year-old left-hander recorded a 5-4 record and 4.57 ERA over 136 innings (17 appearances, 16 starts) with 100 strikeouts and 56 walks in 2023.

Nelson is expected to compete with Tommy Henry for the final spot in the rotation, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The top three in the rotation are set -- Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez -- and it looks like Brandon Pfaadt has the edge for the No. 4 spot, leaving Nelson and Henry to compete for the back end. Nelson spent the first four-and-a-half months of the 2023 season as part of the rotation before an August demotion. He returned to the Diamondbacks in September and made three postseason appearances as a reliever. Nelson recorded an 8-8 record and 5.31 ERA over 144 innings (29 appearances, 27 starts) with 96 strikeouts and 46 walks during the regular season.

Pfaadt is projected to open the season at the Diamondbacks' fourth starter, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Pfaadt seemingly has the edge over other young starters -- Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry -- as the fourth starter, given the way he pitched in the postseason. The 25-year-old right-hander turned the page on his regular-season 5.72 ERA to log a 3.27 postseason ERA. Pfaadt hinted at an improvement during the regular season when he had 4.22 ERA over the second half compared to 9.82 ERA prior to the All-Star break.

Castellanos (elbow) was invited to major-league spring training.

Castellanos will get an opportunity to begin spring training with the big-league squad after failing to see any action in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He'll be a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster and will likely start the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Reno.