MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Megill will be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets' current plan is to open the season with a six-man rotation, and Megill will be in the mix for one of those last two spots along with David Peterson, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn (back). Megill could eventually shift to a relief role, although he does have minor-league options left; therefore, the righty could also open the season in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Butto will remain in the team's bullpen, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Butto made seven starts for the Mets in 2024 and has been a starter throughout his time in the minors, but he found his niche in the bullpen down the stretch last season, collecting a 2.00 ERA and 41:17 K:BB over 36 regular-season innings. The righty will be tasked with getting some key outs in a setup role.

Senga said Tuesday that he's felt fully healthy since the beginning of January, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Senga made just four appearances in 2024 between the regular season and playoffs due to shoulder and calf problems. He spent the first half of the offseason rehabbing but has gone through his normal throwing progression since then and won't have any restrictions at the start of camp. The 32-year-old had a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in the 2023 regular season and could be in line for a big bounce-back season in 2025 if he can stay off the injured list.

With Javier Assad (oblique) set to potentially miss some time, Rea may end up as the Cubs' fifth starter out of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Assad is dealing with oblique soreness and was scheduled to undergo imaging Monday. It's unclear how long he might be out, but the MRI makes it seem like he could be on the shelf for a bit. If that ends up being the case, Rea would be a natural option to step in. The veteran righty has plenty of starting experience at the MLB level, including 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea turned in a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 167.2 innings in 2024.

Walker is in a battle for the Phillies' final bullpen job this spring, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Walker opened the offseason knowing that he was at best keeping a seat warm for Andrew Painter, who's expected to eventually earn a rotation spot once he's fully built back up from Tommy John surgery. Then the Phillies acquired Jesus Luzardo in a trade with the Marlins, bumping Walker to the bullpen. While the two years and $36 million remaining on Walker's contract make a compelling case for the Phillies to find some use for him, his 5.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17.6 percent strikeout rate over the first two years of his deal give the team plenty of reason to cut bait.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Birdsell is dealing with an injury to his right shoulder/lat area, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Birdsell is coming off a solid showing in 2024, having posted a 3.91 ERA and 134:31 K:BB over 135.2 innings between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. The pitching prospect is attending camp as a non-roster invitee, and, if healthy, is slated to open the season in the rotation at Iowa.

Strider (elbow) could make at least one Grapefruit League appearance this spring and be ready for his season debut by late April, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Recovering from last April's internal brace procedure on his right elbow, Strider will begin the season on the 15-day injured list. However, he has been throwing bullpen sessions and might be ready to rejoin Atlanta's rotation around a month into the season. Any timetable for the righty is approximate for now, but more clarity should be available as spring training rolls along.

The Cardinals signed Kaminsky to a minor-league contract Sunday.

It's the third stint in the organization for Kaminsky, who was drafted in the first round by St. Louis back in 2013. The left-hander's lone major-league experience came in 2020 with the Cardinals when he allowed three runs (one earned) with a 3:2 K:BB over 4.2 frames. Kaminsky spent the 2024 season at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, holding a 7.66 ERA and 45:17 K:BB in 47 innings.

Dollander could make the Rockies' Opening Day rotation if he performs well in spring training, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.

Dollander ended the 2024 season at Double-A Hartford and maintained an impressive 2.25 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 58:19 K:BB across 48 innings. He earned a non-roster invitation to spring training as a result, though his status of not currently being on the 40-man roster could cause the Rockies to look elsewhere to begin the campaign. Regardless of his status in late March, Dollander appears nearly certain to debut in 2025.

Brito (elbow) could be ready to pitch by the start of spring training and is an option for a spot in the Padres' starting rotation, per MLB.com.

Brito ended last season on the 60-day IL due to a right elbow strain, but the injury didn't require surgery. San Diego is optimistic that the right-handed hurler will be healthy and ready to throw by the time Cactus League play begins Feb. 21, and if that's the case, he could be among several pitchers competing for a spot at the back of the team's rotation. Brito was a part of the Padres' haul in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, and he posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 43.2 innings across 26 appearances -- all out of the bullpen -- during his first season in San Diego.