All articles tagged with #starting rotation
Following Kodai Senga's early exit due to a hamstring injury, the Mets have multiple pitching options including Paul Blackburn, Frankie Montas, Nolan McLean, Blade Tidwell, and Sean Manaea, each with varying levels of readiness and recent performance, to fill his spot in the rotation.
The Seattle Mariners completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, moving seven games over .500 and maintaining their lead in the AL West. The starting rotation made franchise history with 19 scoreless innings, while the offense showed significant improvement after parting ways with their offensive coordinator. The team faces another challenging stretch of games, with their bullpen needing to hold up despite injuries.
The Texas Rangers are promoting top pitching prospect Jack Leiter to the major league roster, and he is set to make his debut against the Tigers. The 24-year-old, son of former MLB player Al Leiter, has shown promise in Triple-A this season after struggling with command in Double-A. With the Rangers' rotation dealing with injuries, Leiter will join the starting staff, likely replacing Andrew Heaney for the time being. His promotion won't earn him prospect incentives, but he remains controllable through the 2030 season and is on track for Super Two status.
The Atlanta Braves face a significant challenge with Spencer Strider out for the season due to elbow surgery, putting pressure on the struggling starting rotation. Darius Vines will step in, with prospects like Bryce Elder and A.J. Smith-Shawver also potential options. The team may look to the trade deadline for reinforcements, but the lineup and bullpen offer support as the Braves navigate this setback.
Atlanta Braves' All-Star pitcher Spencer Strider has been diagnosed with damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow following an MRI exam, raising concerns about the extent of his absence from the team. Strider, who left his start early due to discomfort in his elbow, will undergo further evaluation by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas. This injury presents a significant setback for the Braves' starting rotation as they navigate the early stages of the season.
Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday after dealing with shoulder soreness in the spring. The Astros hope that only two rehab starts will be necessary before he rejoins the major league club in about two weeks. Verlander, who is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, will have a $35 million player option for 2025 if he can throw 140 innings this year. The Astros will face a tough decision on which starter to bump out of the rotation when Verlander returns, as each of the current starters has options but some are well established in the big leagues.
The Red Sox' starting rotation had an impressive opening series against the Seattle Mariners, allowing only four earned runs over 22 innings with 27 strikeouts. Manager Alex Cora and the team are optimistic about the improved pitching, with Garrett Whitlock's strong performance contributing to a series split. The team's success in the series against a strong opponent has raised expectations for the season, with the focus now shifting to Tanner Houck's upcoming start in Oakland.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a significant addition to their roster by agreeing to a one-year, $25 million deal with free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery, bolstering what looks like one of the better starting rotations in the majors. The signing, which includes a vesting component for 2025, pushes the team's payroll into the range of $170 million and was prompted by an injury to left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Montgomery, a former New York Yankees pitcher, is coming off a strong season and is expected to contribute to the Diamondbacks' pitching staff.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to sign left-hander Jordan Montgomery to a one-year deal worth $25 million, with a $20 million vesting player option for the 2025 season. Montgomery, who played a key role in the Rangers' 2023 World Series win, will bolster the Diamondbacks' starting rotation alongside Eduardo Rodriguez. The team's significant offseason spending has elevated their payroll to new heights as they aim to return to the postseason and establish themselves as top contenders in the NL.
The Seattle Mariners have assembled a fearsome starting rotation, with three pitchers surpassing 190 innings last season and a projected rotation that embodies the team's "Dominate the Zone" philosophy. The rotation, mostly homegrown, is led by Luis Castillo and includes Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo. The Mariners' emphasis on controlling the strike zone has led to exceptional command and high-end strikeout stuff, making their rotation one of the best in baseball and a key component in their quest for a return to the playoffs.
The Boston Red Sox have finalized their starting rotation for the upcoming season, with Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock securing spots alongside Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, and Kutter Crawford. Meanwhile, Cooper Criswell, despite pitching well in spring training, has been optioned to Triple A Worcester to remain stretched out as a starter. Manager Alex Cora expressed confidence in the rotation and praised the adjustments made by Houck and Whitlock, emphasizing their roles as starters. Additionally, Josh Winckowski may also join Triple A as a reserve starter, as the team's starting pitching depth in the minors is limited.
The Houston Astros missed out on signing pitcher Blake Snell, leaving their starting rotation thin and injury-ravaged as Opening Day approaches. General manager Dana Brown indicated that the team is not actively pursuing other options, but some within the club have expressed concern about the dwindling depth. The Astros' pursuit of Snell highlighted their worry about the rotation, but owner Jim Crane's hesitation to exceed budget constraints and concerns about preserving draft picks may have contributed to the team missing out on the aggressive move. With key pitchers dealing with injuries, the Astros face uncertainty and must grapple with the challenge of maintaining a competitive rotation.
With Anthony DeSclafani likely out for the year due to a setback with his elbow, the Twins have named Louie Varland as the fifth starter in their rotation for the upcoming season. Manager Rocco Baldelli expressed confidence in Varland's readiness and praised the adjustments he made during the offseason.
With the addition of Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres' starting rotation, the team's pitching staff is now being compared to other top rotations in the league. Using various statistical methods and projections, the Padres are seen as entering the conversation for one of the top rotations in baseball, ranking in the top third of the league and potentially even higher. The addition of Cease has bolstered the team's pitching depth and quality, and while there are still uncertainties and assumptions involved in these evaluations, there is optimism surrounding the Padres' pitching staff for the upcoming season.
Jameson Taillon was scratched from his scheduled start due to a back issue, leaving uncertainty about his status for the Opening Day roster. Potential replacements for the Cubs' rotation include Drew Smyly, Javier Assad, Hayden Wesneski, and Ben Brown. Smyly has shown versatility in both starting and relief roles, while Assad and Wesneski have demonstrated effectiveness in various pitching situations. Brown, though primarily a starter, has performed well in relief during spring training. The Cubs are unlikely to pursue external options like Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell.