MLB Player News

General manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday that Sykora likely won't be ready to pitch in games until May due to a hip injury, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, the right-hander underwent "minor labrum surgery" this offseason. Sykora enjoyed a great season at Single-A Fredericksburg last year, finishing with a 2.33 ERA and 0.91 WHIP alongside a 129:27 K:BB across 85 innings. However, his hip will force him to miss the first portion of the 2025 minor-league season. Once the 20-year-old is healthy, the Nationals may elect to bump him up to High-A Wilmington given the success he had in his first year as a pro.

Kershaw (toe/knee) said Thursday that he expects to be placed on the 60-day injured list but is hopeful of being ready once those 60 days are up, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw underwent surgery on both his left knee and left toe during the offseason, but he has passed a physical and his one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Dodgers became official Thursday. The future Hall of Famer has been throwing on flat ground, but it's not clear when he might be ready for mound work. Kershaw will be brought along slowly, which is a luxury the Dodgers can afford given their rotation depth.

The Dodgers placed Ryan (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ryan isn't expected to pitch in 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. He'll concede his spot on the 40-man roster for Clayton Kershaw (toe), who officially re-signed with Los Angeles on Thursday.

Imaging revealed a strain in Montgomery's left index finger Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The Diamondbacks don't seem too concerned about Montgomery's finger, but they'll hold off on having him throw for now and see how he feels in a few days. The 32-year-old southpaw also reported shedding 20 to 25 pounds over the offseason, as he's determined to bounce back from a 2024 campaign that was easily the worst of his career.

Nunez (forearm) does not have any restrictions at the start of camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez missed most of the second half and all of the postseason with a right flexor strain, but he touched 96 mph during a Mets-supervised live batting practice session over the winter and is now considered fully healthy. While this certainly qualifies as good news, Nunez should still be considered a bit of a health risk moving forward, given the nature of his previous injury. The 28-year-old was superb for the Mets when on the bump in 2024, collecting a 2.31 ERA and 48:8 K:BB over 35 innings.

Ashcraft (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft looks to be opening spring training without any restrictions after he didn't pitch after the All-Star break last season due to a right elbow strain. The 27-year-old will be vying for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but with the Reds adding Brady Singer in the offseason, the team may not have a starting role available for Ashcraft. The right-hander could change minds with a strong showing in spring training, but his track record as a starter over parts of three big-league seasons isn't overly impressive (4.91 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 328 innings), and his lack of reliable offerings beyond his big fastball and slider could make him a better fit in the bullpen.

Ray (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Thursday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Ray finished the 2024 season on the injured list after straining his hamstring in an Aug. 27 start, but he was able to throw a simulated game in September and seems to have had a normal offseason. Heading into the fourth season of the five-year, $115 million deal he signed with Seattle in November 2021, Ray should have a hold on a rotation spot after he fared well for San Francisco upon completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Though he posted a 4.70 ERA over his seven starts for the Giants before being shut down with the hamstring strain, Ray's underlying metrics (21.7 K-BB%, 3.51 SIERA) were more impressive.

Gray (foot) completed his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray finished last season on the injured list while dealing with a neuroma in his foot, but he seemingly had a normal offseason and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions during the spring. Rather than his health, Gray's role heading into 2025 is the bigger question mark during camp. Neither manager Bruce Bochy nor general manager Chris Young have confirmed that Gray will be locked into an Opening Day rotation spot, and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that the organization has had internal discussions about using the hard-throwing right-hander as a closer. The back end of the Texas bullpen is currently unsettled, as the Rangers let three key late-inning relievers (Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc) walk in free agency this winter and lack an obvious ninth-inning solution on the roster.

Valdez said Thursday that the Astros have yet to approach him or his agent regarding a contract extension, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez is set to make $18 million during 2025 in his final year under team control, and there's been no indication to this point that Houston is eager to lock up the lefty to a long-term deal. He'll turn 32 next winter, but Valdez should have no trouble landing a sizable contract from someone following three straight top-10 finishes in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

Wells (elbow) is throwing on flat ground but has yet to incorporate breaking balls or mound work, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander underwent a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow in mid-June. Wells' rehab has come along as expected to this point, but he's still in the early stages of his throwing program. He will not be an option for the Orioles until at least midseason.