MLB Player News

The Reds believe Ashcraft (elbow) could be a bullpen weapon, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Apparently, the Reds held this belief since Ashcraft was drafted, but starters are more valuable, and he had some success in that role initially. Cincinnati added to the rotation during the offseason, and if all are healthy, Ashcraft would be outside the rotation.

Oviedo (elbow) will be paid $850,000 in 2025 after losing his arbitration hearing to the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Oviedo had requested $1.15 million when figures were exchanged earlier this month. The right-hander missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery but is expected to be ready to go for spring training. Oviedo will compete for a rotation spot this spring, but the Pirates might elect to stash him on the injured list for a while to allow him time to knock some rust off.

The Reds signed Miley (elbow) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He'll earn a prorated $2.5 million if in the majors, and he has a June 1 opt-out, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Miley underwent a hybrid UCL repair on his left elbow last May but is hoping to be ready to contribute at the major-league level by late April or early May of this season. The 38-year-old posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 120.1 innings with the Brewers in 2023, although that came with just 79 strikeouts. The Reds don't currently appear to have room for Miley in their rotation, but that could change by the time he's ready to pitch.

The Marlins claimed Gillispie off waivers from Atlanta on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Gillispie allowed two runs with an 8:5 K:BB over eight innings covering three appearances with the Guardians in 2024 in his first major-league stint. The 27-year-old split his time between the rotation and bullpen last year at Triple-A Columbus, and it's not clear what role the Marlins have planned for him.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday on the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast that Kopech (forearm) is going through his normal offseason throwing program and "feeling pretty good."

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier this month that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation that he pitched through during the postseason. However, Gomes indicated that the reliever is in the same boat as the team's other pitchers in that he'll be monitored this spring; however, at this juncture, a late start to the season is not anticipated. Assuming he's healthy, Kopech will be used in high-leverage situations by the Dodgers.

Sasaki was given a recommendation to undergo Tommy John surgery by a doctor prior to his first season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sasaki decided against having the operation and eventually discovered the issue was shoulder-related, with a nerve problem leading to discomfort in his elbow. The 23-year-old had durability issues throughout his career in Japan, most recently being limited by arm an oblique injuries over the last two seasons. Sasaki topped out at 129.1 innings with Chiba Lotte in 2022 and tossed 111 frames in 2024. While there don't appear to be any current health-related concerns with the righty, the Dodgers undoubtedly will be careful with his workload. Sasaki is expected to be part of a six-man rotation in 2025, and it's likely additional rest will be built in for him whenever feasible.

Gray (elbow) began a throwing program Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray did some casual tossing on flat ground in what was his first time throwing since he underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure in July. He's got a long road to recovery ahead of him but is hoping to be available to pitch for the Nationals by the end of the 2025 season.

Hence will enter spring training without limitations after he threw just 79.2 innings in 2024 due to back and right lat discomfort, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hence had to be pulled early from a couple starts in June and then missed nearly a month around midseason due to the injury. He also exited his final outing of the season with another injury, although it's unclear if the same back/lat issue was the culprit. Durability is the only real negative with Hence's outlook, as he also missed time in 2023 with tightness in his chest and neck area. The 22-year-old was superb in 2024 when on the mound, posting a 2.71 ERA and 109:26 K:BB over 79.2 frames with Double-A Springfield. Hence was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster this offseason and should begin 2025 in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis.

The Rockies have extended Dollander an invitation to big-league camp during spring training, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.

Dollander had an excellent first professional season in 2024, posting a 2.59 ERA and 169:47 K:BB over 118 innings covering 23 starts between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. The 23-year-old has a good chance to be part of the Rockies' rotation at some point in 2025.

The Nationals signed Ogasawara to a two-year contract Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The financial details of the deal are not yet known. Ogasawara, 27, posted a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 82:22 K:BB over 144.1 innings in his most recent of nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. The left-hander figures to be given an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Nationals' rotation but could ultimately settle into a relief role.