MLB Player News

Farrell signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old righty spent 2023 at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization, posting a 5.56 ERA and 52:27 K:BB over 55 frames. Farrell has experience starting and relieving, but 62 of his 69 appearances at the big-league level have been out of the bullpen.

Horton, who climbed through three minor-league levels in 2023, has an outside chance at making his MLB debut this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

While Bastian notes that a 2025 MLB debut is probably more likely for Horton, the fact that he's already knocking on the door speaks loudly of his advanced skill set. The 22-year-old finished with a 2.65 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 88.1 innings last season across the three levels. Horton has the stuff to be an impact player as soon as he reaches the majors, and he could force the issue if he continues to dominate in the minors.

Kershaw (shoulder) began a throwing program last week, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw is about three months removed from surgery to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. The expectation is that he will not be game-ready until at least sometime in the second half. Kershaw has agreed to a new one-year contract with the Dodgers, a deal which will become official after he takes a physical Thursday.

Kershaw (shoulder) signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports.

The contract also contains a player option for 2025. Kershaw will take a physical Thursday before the deal is made official. That also happens to be the first day the Dodgers can place players on the 60-day injured list, which would preclude them from having to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Kershaw had surgery on his left shoulder in November and won't be ready to pitch until at least the second half, with a clearer timetable likely not available for months.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Mena is "not a finished product" and is expected to start the season at Triple-A Reno, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Hazen said the right-handed Mena's slider and curveball are "really good," adding that the pitcher has a "decent" changeup. "We felt like this was an opportunity for us to add a really young starting pitcher, already been to Triple-A, and we think he has really good stuff," the GM said. What the organization will be looking for when spring training opens is an increase in velocity, as well as a refinement of all offerings and development of pitch sequencing. Mena, who turned 21 in December, made four starts at the Triple-A level while with the White Sox organization in 2023.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said last last week that Musgrove (shoulder) will not have any limitations in spring training, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

San Diego's new skipper revealed that Musgrove has already thrown some bullpen sessions and even faced some hitters and has bounced back with no issues. The veteran right-hander missed the final two months of last season with right shoulder inflammation and also dealt with elbow bursitis earlier in the year. Musgrove was highly effective in 2023 when on the mound, collecting a 3.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 97:21 K:BB over 97.1 frames. It's certainly encouraging that it looks like he'll enter spring training with no limits, but Musgrove will remain a health red flag going into 2024.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said last week that Darvish (elbow) will have no limitations in spring training, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Shildt noted that Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions without issue and has even faced a few hitters already. It's certainly a good sign after the 37-year-old missed the final month of last season with a bone spur in his right elbow. Darvish finished 2023 with a disappointing 4.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 141:43 K:BB through 136.1 innings. While he looks to be trending in a good direction, Darvish will remain a health risk in 2024 given his age and how last season concluded.

Spiers worked on being more consistent with his slider during 18 innings in the Arizona Fall League, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Spiers added additional innings in the Fall League after throwing 98 combined innings between the minors and majors in 2023, including stints as a starter and reliever. The right-hander said he pulled his slider while in the majors and was unable to get hitters chase it like minor-league batters. It's unclear in which role the Reds plan for him this spring, but Spiers is part of a big crowd of hurlers looking to stick with the parent club.

Smyly is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Smyly made 41 appearances, including 23 starts, for Chicago last season and struggled with a 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. The veteran lefty can still miss some bats, as he recorded 141 strikeouts in 142.1 innings in 2023, and the team may want to deploy him in a relief role to see if his stuff plays up in favorable matchups. Smyly can still have some limited fantasy value in the right spots, though he's likely best used as a streamer if he's starting.

Wicks may be slated to start the season with Triple-A Iowa following the offseason addition of Shota Imanaga, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Bastian notes that Wicks is likely competing with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski for the fifth rotation spot, with Imanaga, Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon already locked in. Assad, Smyly and Wesneski all spent time in the team's bullpen last year and could serve in swing roles as needed. For the 24-year-old Wicks to continue developing as a starter, the team may put him in the Triple-A rotation to begin the year, though he should be an option for the majors at some point after showing promise during his MLB debut in 2023.