MLB Player News

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.

Junk signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday.

Junk's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where he'll get the chance to compete for a spot in Miami's Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old has seen MLB action in each of the last four campaigns, but he hasn't covered more than 17 innings in any of those seasons while bouncing around across five different organizations. Over his 15 career MLB appearances (seven starts) spanning 40 innings, Junk owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.

Lipscomb will compete with Jose Tena in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Lipscomb had a strong camp last spring and wound up bouncing between the majors and Triple-A Rochester all season, but he produced a feeble .200/.268/.232 slash line in 210 plate appearances for the Nats, although he did steal 11 bags in 13 attempts. The 2022 third-round pick did provide reliable defense at the hot corner however, and Washington could view him as the safer option at the position over Tena, who flashed a better bat but a much shakier glove at third base after being acquired in the Lane Thomas trade with Cleveland. If Tena's defense remains an issue in camp, Lipscomb could open the season in the starting nine. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.

Tena will battle with Trey Lipscomb in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Tena showed some upside at the plate after being acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade last year, slashing .274/.305/.363 over 41 games for the Nats with three homers and six steals in seven attempts. The 23-year-old mostly played shortstop in the minors however, and defensively he has a lot of work to do at the hot corner, committing nine errors on only 87 chances. Lipscomb has the stronger glove, but he stumbled to a .500 OPS in 61 big-league games in 2024. If Tena shows enough improvement in the field during camp, he'll be the favorite to get the nod at third base in the Opening Day lineup. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.

Lopez (groin) is the only reliever in the Nationals' bullpen with any significant closing experience, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Washington non-tendered Kyle Finnegan in November, leaving the team without a clear favorite for the ninth inning. Lopez signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Nats in January, and while the fact that he's pitched for five different teams over the prior three seasons isn't encouraging, his 23 saves between the O's and Twins in 2022 could give him a leg up on winning the closer job in spring training. Derek Law, Jose Ferrer and Colin Poche also figure to be in the high-leverage mix.

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.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year with the Dodgers on Sunday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Hernandez will return to fill a super-utility role with the Dodgers, and it is unlikely he secures regular work on such a loaded roster. He slashed .229/.281/.373 with 12 home runs, 44 runs and 42 RBI in 393 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season and carries third base and outfield eligibility in most fantasy formats.

Imanaga will start one of the first two games of the season when the Cubs face the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

This was hardly a surprise, but manager Craig Counsell provided confirmation Sunday. Imanaga, who is 31, logged a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 173.1 innings last regular season.

Goodman is not likely to start more than twice a week as Colorado's catcher to begin the season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Goodman has performed adequately as a pitch framer and also boasts a strong arm, though he is still subpar defensively behind the plate. That will limit his playing time at the position, and his career 59 wRC+ across 301 plate appearances isn't likely to convince the Rockies to force him into the lineup elsewhere. Goodman could stick on the Opening Day roster as a bench bat, but it appears he will find playing time hard to come by initially.

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.