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  • Cubs' Brandon Birdsell: Nursing shoulder/lat problem

    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.

  • Braves' Spencer Strider: Late-April return possible

    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.

  • Rob Kaminsky SP | CLE

    Cardinals' Rob Kaminsky: Signs MiLB deal with St. Louis

    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.

  • Jon Gray SP | TEX

    Rangers' Jon Gray: Being mulled as closer option

    The Rangers have had internal discussions about the possibility of using Gray as their closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

    Gray said in January that he would be open to the idea of closing if the team asked him to, and it appears it is indeed a possibility. However, Grant writes that, as things stand right now, the innings Gray can provide in the rotation "seem the higher priority." Texas' closer job appears wide open, but it's a situation which could gain further clarity during spring training.

  • Rockies' Chase Dollander: Could skip Triple-A

    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.

  • Jhony Brito SP | SD

    Padres' Jhony Brito: Could compete for rotation spot

    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.

  • Joe Musgrove SP | SD

    Padres' Joe Musgrove: Could resume throwing at midseason

    Musgrove (elbow) will work out with plyometric balls during spring training but isn't expected to start a throwing program until around midseason, per MLB.com.

    Musgrove is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in October. While he'll be with the team and do some non-throwing workouts during spring camp, the fact that the veteran right-hander won't begin throwing until midseason emphasizes how far away he is from returning to game action. He will miss the 2025 season but could be a full-go for 2026 spring training.

  • Matt Manning SP | DET

    Tigers' Matt Manning: Role unclear heading into season

    With the Tigers bolstering their rotation in the offseason, Manning could work as both a starter and a reliever in 2025 if he's able to make the team, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

    Detroit added Alex Cobb and Jack Flaherty during the offseason, and the team already has ace Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson locked into starting roles. Manning is thus among a large group of pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot that includes Keider Montero, top prospect Jackson Jobe, Casey Mize, Kenta Maeda and Brant Hurter. Manning spent most of 2024 with Triple-A Toledo, so he figures to be behind most of those players in the competition at this point. However, the 27-year-old could find his way onto the roster as a reliever. If Manning makes the bullpen out of spring training, he likely won't see high-leverage work, so his fantasy value figures to be limited either way.

  • Keider Montero SP | DET

    Tigers' Keider Montero: May serve in swing role

    With the Tigers bolstering their rotation in the offseason, Montero could work as both a starter and a reliever in 2025, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

    Detroit added Alex Cobb and Jack Flaherty during the offseason, and the team already has ace Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson locked into starting roles. That leaves the likes of Montero, top prospect Jackson Jobe, Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Kenta Maeda and Brant Hurter all vying for the No. 5 spot. Manager A.J. Hinch could mix and match in that role, which leaves Montero's outlook a bit in flux. The righty primarily served as a starter during his 2024 rookie campaign, making 16 starts among his 19 appearances overall. He posted a 4.76 ERA across 98.1 total innings. Montero's 2025 fantasy value would take a hit if he pitches in long relief, though more clarity should emerge during spring training.

  • Ben Brown SP | CHC

    Cubs' Ben Brown: Could be bullpen option

    While Brown saw some time in the rotation last season, he could be a full-time bullpen option for the Cubs in 2025, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

    Brown made 15 appearances for the Cubs last year, including eight starts, and posted a 3.58 ERA and 64 strikeouts across 55.1 innings. It's a small sample, but the 25-year-old flashed some potential, and he displayed a fastball that clocked in at an average of 96.5 mph. There's some belief that Brown's velocity could tick up if he shifts to a full-time bullpen role, which could make him an interesting weapon for Chicago. The righty will have to compete for a job in spring training, though he does have some intriguing upside heading into the season.

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