MLB Player News

The Dodgers could delay Walker Buehler's 2024 season debut, which could open up a rotation spot for either Stone or Emmet Sheehan, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stone faltered against big league hitters last season, but at least finished strong. While injuries certainly could open up the door for either Stone or Sheehan for a longer trial (never a stretch with Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton in the rotation), this might also only end up amounting to 3-to-4 starts.

The Dodgers intend to delay Walker Buehler's debut to the 2024 season to make sure he's strong for October, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Thus, Sheehan and Gavin Stone will compete for the fifth starter's job to begin the season.

Sheehan might have a bright future, but he may not spend the entire 2024 season in the big-league rotation. Once Buehler is ready, the Dodgers will have Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller and James Paxton ahead of Sheehan/Stone, assuming those five pitchers are healthy.

The Dodgers are considering delaying Buehler's (elbow) season debut in 2024 as they look to manage his workload coming off Tommy John surgery, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Buehler wasn't far off from a return late last season, as he made one rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was having some trouble rebounding from throwing sessions, though, and the Dodgers made the decision to shut him down. Because he threw only 65 innings in 2022 and just two in 2023, Buehler was never going to come close to a full workload in 2024. The Dodgers have not yet made a decision on how exactly his workload will be limited, but delaying his season debut might be the most likely option as the team tries to have him ready for October. "He'll be ready to go in spring training, but when we decide to make his debut in 2024 is going to be determined," manager Dave Roberts said in December. "Whether it's the first week or a month later, we're going to kind of wait and see how spring goes."

Rockies GM Bill Schmidt said Sunday that Marquez (elbow) isn't expected to be activated from the injured list until after the All-Star break, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The 28-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-May last year, so a return during the first half of 2024 was never likely. Marquez had a 4.95 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 150:63 K:BB over 181.2 innings in 2022 and is likely to have some limitations once back with the big club after the break.

Rockies GM Bill Schmidt said Sunday that Senzatela (elbow) isn't expected to pitch for the Rockies in 2024, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last July and is expected to miss the full 2024 campaign. Schmidt indicated Senzatela could be ready for rehab games at Triple-A before the end of the season, but he isn't expected to be a factor at the major-league level.

Ray (elbow) will throw from 120 feet Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray hopes to begin throwing off a mound early on in spring training and said a return around the All-Star break would be a "best-case scenario." Acquired from the Mariners via trade earlier this month, Ray underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery last May. The lefty has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, but he wouldn't commit one way or another Friday to exercising it or not, saying his main focus is just to get healthy.

Roberson signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday.

Roberson went from the Rays to the Cubs in a trade this past August, but his tenure in Chicago's organization wound up being a brief one. The 27-year-old has displayed a penchant for both strikeouts and walks, most recently fanning 49 and walking 31 over 40 innings at the Triple-A level in 2023. He has never appeared in the majors.

Allard signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Allard, 26, didn't pitch after mid-July last season because of left shoulder nerve inflammation, although he presumably was given a clean bill of health prior to inking his deal with Philadelphia. The left-hander has posted a career 6.10 ERA over 69 appearances (38 starts) at the major-league level, accumulating a 204:84 K:BB across 245 innings. He does have an option remaining, so Allard could begin 2024 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Paxton signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Paxton will also receive a $1 million roster bonus assuming he's on the Opening Day roster, and he can make an additional $1 million through incentives. The left-hander held a 2.73 ERA in the first half and a 6.98 ERA in the second half in 2023 with the Red Sox while battling a knee issue down the stretch. Paxton will enter spring training with a clean bill of health but remains one of the bigger starting pitcher injury risks in MLB. However, the Dodgers are apparently willing to pay for some upside if it comes with the limited risk of a one-year deal.

Cobb (hip) began a throwing program Thursday, Evan Webeck of The Mercury News reports.

Cobb played catch from 60 feet in what was his first bit of throwing since he underwent left hip surgery in October. The veteran right-hander is hopeful of rejoining the Giants' rotation prior to the All-Star break, although there's no clear timetable for him at this point. Cobb held a 3.87 ERA and 131:37 K:BB over 151.1 frames for San Francisco in 2023.