All articles tagged with #pitching
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic and will instead focus on hitting, with the plan reportedly set about a month ago; Ohtani will ramp up his arm in spring training as he prepares for the regular season after his recent injuries, making this year’s WBC a hitters-only appearance for him.
New York’s winter overhaul centered on stronger up-the-middle defense, payroll flexibility, and frontline pitching, with Bo Bichette at the core after early talks shifted his position from second to third. The Mets traded Nimmo for Marcus Semien, let Diaz and Alonso depart, added Jorge Polanco for infield versatility, and acquired Freddy Peralta to anchor the rotation, while keeping a flexible bullpen plan and aiming to pair Lindor with Soto as long-term anchors and to build around a rising farm system. Will the plan yield a contending Mets once spring comes?
The article spotlights five top MLB trade candidates for the 2026 season—Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Brendan Donovan (Cardinals), and Sandy Alcántara (Marlins)—and lays out their potential landing spots: Skubal to the Orioles, Duran to the Royals, Marte to the Red Sox, Donovan to the Astros, and Alcántara to the Padres. It frames Skubal and Alcántara as high-impact rentals while highlighting Duran, Marte, and Donovan as versatile assets for contending teams.
David Stearns’ offseason overhaul rewires the Mets for better defense and up-the-middle impact, adding multi-position players and a top rotation arm in Freddy Peralta while lifting payroll to contend. Projected WAR places them among the league’s elite, but the group is largely new and could take time to gel amid health risks and chemistry questions, making immediate improvement far from guaranteed.
Wilbur Wood, the Chicago White Sox left-hander famed for his knuckleball, died at 84 in Burlington, Massachusetts. He started more games and pitched more innings in a season than any pitcher in a century, including a 376⅔-inning year in 1972 and four 20-win seasons, with a peak from 1971–75 before a 1976 knee injury ended his run. He finished with 164 victories and, while never a Hall of Famer, remains a durable symbol of the White Sox’s history.
The Oakland Athletics designated pitcher Ken Waldichuk for assignment to make room for new acquisition Jeff McNeil, with Waldichuk's future uncertain as he awaits potential trade or waivers, following injuries and mixed performance.
Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace, won the NL Cy Young Award unanimously in 2025, becoming the first Pirate since 1990 to do so and only the third in franchise history. At just 23, he led the NL in ERA, WHIP, FIP, and ERA+, and made history as the fifth youngest to win the award, demonstrating exceptional skill and a continuous drive to improve.
The Chicago Cubs are focusing on strengthening their pitching staff this offseason, with potential signings including free agent Shota Imanaga, while their lineup is largely set with key players locked in. The team is considering adding a rotation arm and bullpen reinforcements, but is cautious about high-cost free agents, aiming to balance competitiveness with financial prudence.
Shohei Ohtani is expected to start for the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series against the Blue Jays, likely pitching two to three innings to preserve his batting spot, with the Dodgers having strong bullpen options for the remainder of the game.
The Toronto Blue Jays face elimination in the ALCS with key players Springer and Bichette's health in focus; Springer is likely to play in Game 6 after a knee injury, while Bichette's return remains uncertain. The team plans to rely on available pitchers, including Scherzer, for the crucial game, with strategic considerations about pitching for potential Game 7.
Kevin Gausman was traded to the Braves in 2018 but struggled in 2019 due to injuries and mechanical issues, leading to his release. The Braves let him go because he refused a bullpen role, and he subsequently improved with other teams, notably the Giants.
Shohei Ohtani delivered a historic performance in Game 4 of the NLCS, hitting three home runs and pitching into the seventh inning with 10 strikeouts, helping the Dodgers aim for a World Series return. His feats included the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in postseason history and becoming the first Dodgers player with two multi-homer games in one postseason, showcasing his exceptional two-way talent.
Shohei Ohtani will start Game 4 of the NLCS for the Dodgers without pitch count limitations, as he has shown improvement and readiness, despite a recent slump at the plate. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0, with Tyler Glasnow set to start Game 3.
The article analyzes the strategic battle between Mariners pitchers' focus on in-zone dominance and Blue Jays hitters' aggressive swinging approach, highlighting how Mariners' pitching has effectively challenged Toronto's hitters, limiting damage despite the Blue Jays' high swing rate and emphasizing the importance of execution and adjustments in the upcoming game.
The Mets signed left-hander Joe Jacques to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation, marking a homecoming for the New Jersey-born pitcher who has MLB experience with Boston and Arizona. Jacques, a groundball specialist with a history of platoon splits, has bounced around several organizations and is expected to compete for a bullpen spot as the Mets evaluate their pitching options.