The Opener

With regular season baseball less than a month away, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world over the weekend:

1. Spring Training games begin for 28 clubs:

While the Dodgers and Padres opened Cactus League play against each other yesterday, the league’s other 28 teams will all have their own first games of the season this weekend. Today, the Cubs will take on the White Sox, the Rangers will face the Royals, and the Diamondbacks will square off against the Rockies in addition to a second game between San Diego and L.A. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Twins will kick off spring play in Florida with exhibition games against the Division I Northeastern Huskies and Minnesota Gophers, respectively.

Grapefruit League play won’t begin in earnest until tomorrow, which features a slate of games highlighted by newly-minted Orioles ace Corbin Burnes kicking off the club’s spring with a start opposite Boston’s Garrett Whitlock. Elsewhere in the AL East, right-handers Marcus Stroman of the Yankees and Lucas Giolito of the Red Sox figure to make their spring debuts for their new clubs on Sunday.

2. Wong signing on the horizon?

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, second baseman Kolten Wong has seen his market “begin to pick up” following a number of infield signings around the league over the past week. From 2017 to 2022, Wong was an above-average regular at the keystone with quality defense and a .269/.349/.414 slash line during that time. The 2023 season was difficult for the 32-year-old, however, as he hit a paltry .165/.241/.227 in 216 trips to the plate with the Mariners before being released and catching on with the Dodgers. He much better upon arriving in Los Angeles, where he was used largely as a pinch hitter but slashed a respectable .300/.353/.500 in 34 trips to the plate during the season’s final month.

Solid as that brief stint with L.A. was, few clear landing spots for a pure second baseman such as Wong remain around the league. The Pirates were previously rumored to be considering a reunion with fellow lefty-swinging second baseman Adam Frazier before he signed with the Royals, however, and it’s certainly possible to imagine Wong fitting in as a left-handed bench bat on a club such as the Angels, Yankees, or Brewers.

3. What’s next for the Marlins?

The Marlins filled their most obvious hole on the roster yesterday by agreeing to a one-year deal with shortstop Tim Anderson, who figures to take over as the regular at the position, pushing Jon Berti into a utility role. While Anderson struggled badly in his final season with the White Sox last year, the two-time All Star was among the better regulars at the position from 2019 to 2022, when he slashed a collective .318/.347/.474 in 318 games. With the club’s vacancy at shortstop filled, what’s next in Miami? The club has largely stood pat this winter after winning 84 games last year en route to a surprising playoff appearance, though they did lose Jorge Soler to the Giants in free agency.

There’s been buzz throughout the winter that the Marlins could look to deal a controllable arm such as Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, or Edward Cabrera from their rotation mix, though it’s unclear how likely such a deal is and Garrett’s recent bout of shoulder soreness could complicate that decision further for the club. If Miami were to decide to consider further augmenting the roster after adding Anderson, a bat to add to an outfield/DH mix that currently features Avisail Garcia, Jesus Sanchez, and Bryan De La Cruz alongside center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. could make some sense. The likes of Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall, and Tommy Pham are all still available in free agency and could be sensible, fairly low-cost additions for the Marlins to make.

As all 30 clubs continue their spring preparations for the 2024 season, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will the Red Sox extend a young player?

Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello revealed to reporters yesterday that he and the club have been discussing a possible extension, with the 24-year-old hurler indicating that a deal could come together before the spring is up. The comments from Bello come just days after first baseman Triston Casas offered his own comments on the possibility of an extension, saying that he hoped to spend his whole career in Boston but that extension talks had produced “nothing enticing” to this point. While newly-appointed chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has yet to extend any players during his short tenure at the helm, the Red Sox haven’t been shy about extending players in the past. Many of the club’s recent extensions such as deals with Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, and Chris Sale were for well-established talent nearing free agency, though the club has also locked down younger talent in the form of Garrett Whitlock. Could Bello or Casas join the list before Opening Day?

2. Senga undergoing testing:

Mets right-hander Kodai Senga sat out yesterday’s team workout due to “overall arm fatigue,” as manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters (including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com). DiComo adds that Senga was scheduled to undergo testing yesterday, meaning it’s possible that an update on the righty’s health could be made available as soon as today. If the injury were to impact Senga’s readiness for Opening Day, it would be a major blow to the club. Senga was a rare bright spot in the 2023 campaign for the Mets, pitching to a 2.98 ERA with a 29% strikeout rate across 29 starts last year. With the likes of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer departing Queens last summer, Senga enters the 2024 campaign as the club’s likely Opening Day starter at the front of a rotation that added Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Adrian Houser this winter. Should Senga miss time to open the season, Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, and Jose Butto would be among the options to fill in for him in the big league rotation.

3. First game of the spring:

The Dodgers and Padres will participate in the first spring training game of the year today, as the two clubs gear up for an early start to the season with the Korea series in Seoul next month. Today’s game will start at 2:10pm CT, with Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove kicking things off opposite Dodgers youngster Gavin Stone. The 25-year-old Stone struggled to a 9.00 ERA in his first 31 innings of work in the majors last year but is nonetheless one of the club’s most promising young arms and could battle with the likes of Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove. Musgrove, meanwhile, pitched to an excellent 3.05 ERA and 3.52 FIP last year but was limited to just 17 starts due to injuries. Among those injuries was a bout of shoulder inflammation that ended the right-hander’s season in late July, though the 31-year-old righty nonetheless appears to be healthy ahead of today’s Cactus League opener.

With Spring Training workouts in full swing, here are three things to keep an eye on around baseball today:

1. Awaiting financial details for Brandon Woodruff, Hyun Jin Ryu

A couple of veteran starters reportedly agreed to new deals this past week, but the financial details of both contracts have yet to be revealed. News of Brandon Woodruff returning to the Brewers broke on Monday morning, but currently, all we know is that his new pact is a two-year deal. Hyun Jin Ryu is also returning to a former team, the Hanwha Tigers of the KBO. While the complete details of his contract have not been revealed either, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports that the Eagles are likely to announce the deal on Thursday. Taking into account the time difference, Ryu’s deal could be announced at some point this evening; 6:00 pm CT will be 9:00 am in South Korea.

2. Are the Rays planning to trade an infielder?

The Rays agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.5MM contract with infielder Amed Rosario on Tuesday. While $1.5MM might be a drop in the bucket for some teams, it’s hard to imagine the Rays would sign Rosario to such a deal if they weren’t planning to give him regular playing time. Yet, with Brandon Lowe entrenched at second base and José Caballero the presumptive starter at shortstop, Rosario is likely to fill a utility role off the bench. That would leave infielders Junior Caminero and Osleivis Basabe without a clear path to playing time. A top prospect like Caminero can force his way onto the roster with a strong performance in the minor leagues, but it is less clear how Basabe fits into the Rays’ plans for 2024. Moreover, with veteran infielder Yu Chang in the organization on a minor league deal and Taylor Walls set to return from hip surgery sooner rather than later, this team has no shortage of depth. One has to wonder if the Rays are planning to make a trade from their surplus of infielders.

3. Full-squad workouts have begun, but teams are far from complete

As of Tuesday, all 30 clubs have now held their first full-squad workouts. That means Spring Training is officially underway, with games set to begin later this week. The Dodgers and Padres will kick things off in the Cactus League on Thursday afternoon, with Grapefruit League play set to begin a couple of days later. However, despite what the moniker “full-squad workout” might imply, several clubs are far from finished improving their rosters. With 10 of MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents still unsigned, including Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Matt Chapman, and J.D. Martinez, plenty of teams could be significantly better by Opening Day than they appear right now. The free agent market has been slow as of late, but as Spring Training continues, more pieces will inevitably fall into place.

As Spring Training continues to get underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Mid-level starting market continues to thin:

With veteran left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu now poised to depart MLB in favor of a return to the Korea Baseball Organization overseas, the remaining second-tier starting pitching market has lost one of its best remaining arms without him landing with a big league club. Could Ryu’s departure increase demand for the remaining options? The best arms available at this point in the winter appear to be right-handers Michael Lorenzen and Mike Clevinger, though other veteran options such as Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, Noah Syndergaard and Jake Odorizzi also remain available. The Angels, Twins, and Padres are among the clubs known to be in the market for rotation additions at this point in the winter. While it’s possible that Anaheim could look to make a splash this winter and add one of the top-tier starters remaining in Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell, both Minnesota and San Diego appear likely to be confined to smaller additions.

2. Will Bellinger’s market pick up?

Comments from Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts yesterday indicated little progress has been made between the organization and center fielder Cody Bellinger in contract talks this winter. A return to Chicago has long seemed to be the likeliest fit for Bellinger this winter given the success he saw there in 2023 and the club’s uncertainty in center field, where top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong may not be quite ready to make the jump to the big leagues. However, Ricketts’ comments yesterday indicate little urgency on the part of Chicago in reuniting with the slugger.

Bellinger, the top outfielder on the offseason’s free agent market and the No. 2 hitter behind only superstar Shohei Ohtani, is coming off a 2023 campaign where he slashed an excellent .307/.356/.525, good for a wRC+ of 134. That’s production that nearly every team would surely like to have in their lineup, particularly at a position as key as center field. Could the seeming reluctance of the incumbents convince other clubs to consider a late push for Bellinger, perhaps on a shorter-term deal?

3. MLBTR Chat Today

While teams around the league are holding their first full-squad workouts of the spring, a handful of the winter’s top free agents remain unsigned and plenty of offseason shopping lists around the league remain unfulfilled. Are you wondering if there’s more in store for your team as camps open in Arizona and Florida? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.

On the heels of an early-morning deal, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Position Players arrive in camp:

While many hitters report to camp early, today marks the date position players are meant to report to camp for roughly a third of the league, along with the first full-squad workouts for many teams. It’s the final reporting date of the spring, after which point all players are expected to be at Spring Training (with some exceptions such as those for players dealing with visa issues or that have yet to sign). Teams reporting today include a 101-win Orioles club that added ace right-hander Corbin Burnes just before camp began but announced a UCL sprain for last year’s ace right-hander, Kyle Bradish, shortly thereafter, as well as a Mariners club that completely retooled its starting lineup this winter after missing the postseason by just one game last year.

2. When will Anderson sign?

Reporting over the weekend indicated that the Marlins recently extended an offer to longtime White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. The Marlins have long been considered an obvious fit for the 30-year-old, who flashed star potential at times from 2019-22 as he hit .318/.347/.474 while earning two All Star appearances, a Silver Slugger award, and an AL batting title. All that came crashing down in 2023, however, as Anderson posted the lowest wRC+ among all major league regulars last year while turning in characteristically average defense at shortstop. In spite of Anderson’s struggles, however, a weak market for shortstops leaves him as one of the best available, and few teams have a bigger need at the position than Miami.

Though the Marlins have been connected to Anderson most frequently throughout the winter, they aren’t the only team for whom the shortstop could make some sense. The A’s have a clear hole at shortstop and have added other bounceback candidates such as Alex Wood and Ross Stripling this winter, while the Angels or Giants could use Anderson as a veteran complement to youngsters Zack Neto and Marco Luciano, respectively. With position players now reporting to Spring Training, will Anderson get a deal done in the coming days?

3. What does the Hendriks deal mean for Woodruff?

As previously mentioned, right-hander Liam Hendriks agreed to a two-year guarantee with the Red Sox earlier this morning. The relief ace is coming off an injury-marred 2023 campaign and is set to miss most of the 2024 season, though has been among the very best arms in the game when healthy in recent years. In many ways, his free agency greatly resembled that of right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who dominated to a 2.28 ERA in 11 starts last year but struggled with shoulder issues before eventually going under the knife back in October. Like Hendriks, Woodruff isn’t expected to return to the mound until the mid-summer at the earliest but has been an elite arm in the past.

Could Woodruff’s market begin to pick up with Hendriks off the board? Early indications were that Woodruff could pursue a two-year guarantee of his own this winter, though there hasn’t been much buzz regarding his free agency this winter outside a loose connection to the Mets earlier in the offseason.

With Spring Training underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. Bohm, Phillies await arbitration results:

Just two arbitration cases have yet to reach their conclusion: that of Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, and that of Marlins southpaw Tanner Scott. According to a report from Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bohm had his hearing yesterday with a verdict expected sometime today. Bohm requested a $4MM salary for the 2024 campaign while the Phillies countered with a $3.4MMM figure. Both figures come in below MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz’s projection for Bohm, which landed at $4.3MM. Bohm appeared in 145 games for Philadelphia last year, slashing an above-average .274/.327/.437 while splitting time between first and third base. With Bryce Harper set to take over first on a permanent basis this year, Bohm figures to get everyday reps at the hot corner in 2024.

2. Will Orioles look to add more pitching?

Yesterday was a tough day for the Orioles pitching staff, as the club announced that right-hander Kyle Bradish is suffering from a UCL sprain and will start the season on the injured list. To make matters worse, left-hander John Means is a month behind schedule entering camp.

The club’s rotation now figures to be led by a duo of Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez entering the season, with Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and Cole Irvin rounding out the group. Means would likely replace Irvin or Wells whenever he’s cleared to return to the roster. Solid as that group is, it’s easy to see how Baltimore could benefit from the addition of another arm, particularly given the ominous nature of Bradish’s injury. If the club looks to make an addition this spring, Dylan Cease has been subject to trade rumors all throughout the winter, while Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Michael Lorenzen, Hyun Jin Ryu and Mike Clevinger linger on the open market.

3. Merrifield signing on the horizon?

Recent reporting has indicated that veteran second baseman Whit Merrifield is likely to sign on with a new club this weekend as he fields interest from five teams. A three-time All Star, the 35-year-old sports a career .284/.330/.420 line and has generally augmented that production with strong stolen base totals, the versatility to play both the infield and the outfield, and relatively low strikeout rates.

It’s unknown which teams are interested in the veteran’s services at this time, though the Pirates could be a strong speculative fit as a club that had reported interest in adding a second baseman earlier this winter but has yet to do so. The Padres could also make sense as a fit for Merrifield given their glaring need for outfielders and the small chance that incumbent second baseman Ha-Seong Kim could still be moved at some point.

As baseball’s preseason gets underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will Hendriks sign?

Reporting yesterday indicated that All–Star closer Liam Hendriks has set a deadline of today for his free agency. Hendriks reportedly already has multiple offers in hand, and if he hasn’t signed somewhere today, the 35-year-old veteran figures to continue rehabbing Tommy John surgery on his own without signing on with a club in hopes of finding a deal over the summer once he’s ready to closer to game-ready. Hendriks has been among the sport’s most dominant relievers for half a decade now, with a 2.32 ERA and 2.19 FIP in 231 appearances since the start of the 2019 season. During that time, he’s collected 115 saves and struck out a phenomenal 38.3% of batters faced.

The right-hander made a triumphant return to the mound in May of last year after a months-long battle with cancer, but made just five appearances before going on the shelf with elbow inflammation in early June. Though he initially hoped the stint on the injured list would last only the minimum 15 days, he ultimately did not pitch again in 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery in August, leading Chicago to decline his club option back in November. The right-hander makes at least some sense as a target for all 30 clubs given his dominance in recent years, though it’s unclear which teams will be willing to meet his asking price in the midst of his atypical free agency.

2. Day 2 of pitchers and catchers reporting:

With two-thirds of the league’s pitchers and catchers already reporting to Spring Training for their organizations, the final 10 clubs have set their reporting dates for today. The group of clubs kicking off spring activities today include the 104-win Braves and 101-win Orioles, both of whom are surely hoping for deeper postseason runs after having their incredible seasons cut short with a quick exit in the playoffs last year at the hands of the Phillies and Rangers, respectively. Also reporting today is a new-look Brewers team that lacks co-aces Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, as well as a Yankees club that added Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman to the mix on the heels of a disappointing 82-80 season.

3. A’s to meet with local officials in Oakland:

It was reported earlier this week that the A’s are set to meet with city and county officials in Oakland today to discuss a possible extension of the club’s lease at the Coliseum that would cover the 2025-27 seasons, while the club’s planned ballpark in Las Vegas is constructed. The A’s have been searching for an interim home over the past few months, a hunt that has led them to consider locations such as Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and even sharing Oracle Park with the Giants.

Oakland mayor Sheng Thao has previously indicated that the A’s wouldn’t be granted an extended lease in Oakland without major concessions, such as the club forgoing the “Athletics” name when it heads to Nevada. Still, the organization stands to benefit financially from either working out an extended lease in Oakland or sharing Oracle Park with the Giants due to the club’s TV deal only being valid for as long as the club is playing in the Bay Area. Today’s meetings could offer some clarity regarding the options the A’s have at their disposal as they search for an interim home with just over a year until Opening Day 2025.

On the heels of an overnight splash on the free agent market, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye out for today:

1. Cooper nearing a decision?

One area of the free agent market that remains fairly deep as Spring Training begins is the first base market, where the likes of Joey Votto, Brandon Belt, and Donovan Solano linger as available options. According to Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald, the list of available veteran first baseman in free agency could thin out a bit in the coming days, as he writes that slugger Garrett Cooper “could make a decision soon” with around five teams in the market for the 33-year-old’s services. Cooper struggled somewhat in 2023, slashing a slightly-below-average .251/.304/.419 in 123 games with the Marlins and Padres last year.

Prior to that dip in production last year, however, Cooper had established himself as a reliably above-average hitter at first base who could also moonlight in the outfield corners. From 2019-22, Cooper slashed .274/.350/.444. The righty-swinging slugger sports a notable platoon split for his career, as he’s hit .286/.338/478 (120 wRC+) against lefties and .262/.337/.417 versus righties (107 wRC+). It’s solid production against pitchers of both handedness, but he’s been particularly potent against southpaws. Speculatively speaking, Cooper could be a sensible target for clubs like the Red Sox, Pirates, or Guardians which struggled against left-handed pitching last year and could use another veteran bat in the mix for reps in a corner spot.

2. Preller to hold spring presser:

Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller is set to be made available to the media at noon CT today, per a team announcement. The Padres have faced a great deal of upheaval this offseason as they watched three-time Reliever of the Year award winner Josh Hader and rotation arms Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez all depart via free agency. Reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell is likely to follow them out the door, setting the stage for further turnover, but as of now he remains unsigned. To help address the club’s sudden exodus of pitching talent, Preller dealt superstar slugger Juan Soto to the Yankees back in December alongside center fielder Trent Grisham.

That left San Diego to enter camp with just two outfielders on the club’s 40-man roster in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jose Azocar, though the club did reunite with Jurickson Profar yesterday on a one-year deal to help fill out its outfield mix somewhat. Still, with question marks remaining in the outfield, at DH, and in the rotation, plenty of uncertainty remains for the Padres as Spring Training begins. Preller’s presser this afternoon could begin to shed some light on the club’s plans for those areas headed into the season.

3. MLBTR Chat:

While teams around the league gear up for Spring Training, a handful of the winter’s top free agents remain unsigned and plenty of offseason shopping lists around the league remain unfulfilled. Are you wondering if there’s more in store for your team as camps open in Arizona and Florida? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.

With Spring Training creeping ever closer, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. What’s next for the Marlins?

The Marlins swung a trade with the Twins over the weekend, parting ways with lefty reliever Steven Okert to acquire utilityman Nick Gordon from Minnesota. Gordon, 28, missed most of the 2023 season but slashed a solid .272/.316/.427 back in 2022 while splitting time between second base, shortstop, and the outfield for the Twins. The former first-rounder struggled at the plate in both 2021 and in an injury-ruined 2023 season. The addition of Gordon adds some versatility to a club that entered the offseason in need of additional talent at shortstop and in the outfield. Gordon has just 33 games at shortstop in the majors, and the Twins viewed him as a better fit in the outfield and at second base. Of Jon Berti’s 86 games started at short, 52 came last season. He handled himself well in part-time duty there, but he’s a 34-year-old utilityman with only 764 career innings at short. Given that, the club could be best served relying on Gordon as a member of the outfield mix and pursuing a free agent shortstop. They’ve been tied to names like Tim Anderson or Amed Rosario, among others.

2. Signings to be made official:

A pair of free agents found new homes over the weekend as catcher Yasmani Grandal landed with the Pirates while the Phillies reached an agreement with right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Both clubs have full 40-man rosters at this point in the winter and will need to make a corresponding move to clear space for the new arrivals. For the Pirates, that can be accomplished by simply waiting a few days until the 60-day injured list open upon the start of Spring Training and the club can utilize the roster spots of injured players such as Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodriguez. The Phillies have no obvious candidates for the IL, however, meaning they’ll likely need to designate a player for assignment or work out a trade of some sort to open up space on the 40-man for Turnbull.

3. Last minute deals in free agency?

Spring Training is a matter of days away for most clubs, and plenty of free agents remain on the open market. While the quartet of star free agents at the top of the market in Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Matt Chapman are unlikely to feel added pressure to sign with the start of camp looming, it’s possible some players lower on the free agent hierarchy could have extra incentive to find deals in order to enjoy a full spring with their new club. The likes of Brandon Belt, Adam Duvall, and Michael A. Taylor are among the mid-tier positional free agents who remain on the market, while the mid-tier pitching market includes names such as Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger, and Hyun Jin Ryu.

With Spring Training now partially underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. Padres camp to open:

The Dodgers kicked off Spring Training for their club ahead of the rest of the league yesterday as they look to prepare for the Seoul Series, when the Dodgers and Padres will kick off the 2024 regular season with a two-game set in South Korea starting on March 20. This weekend, San Diego will follow suit and open camp early to give their players a chance to get a head start on their spring preparations. The 60-day injured list will also become available to the Padres once camp officially opens, and while the club does have at least one player who could make use of it, the club still has four open spots on its 40-man roster for the time being.

2. Signings to be made official:

The Brewers agreed to terms with catcher Gary Sanchez on a one-year deal earlier this week in a move that will give the club a strong tandem behind the plate between Sanchez and 2024 All-Star William Contreras. Once the agreement becomes official, the Brewers will have to clear space on their 40-man roster. This could be accomplished simply by designating a player for assignment, though teams will occasionally attempt to work out a minor trade to clear roster space instead, thereby recouping some value while still freeing up a roster spot.

Sanchez’s signing isn’t the only one that needs to be made official around the league. The Rays’ deal with Phil Maton, the Dodgers’ newest pact with Clayton Kershaw, and the Blue Jays’ agreement with Yariel Rodriguez all have yet to be made official and will also require corresponding moves. Rodriguez has reportedly been delayed by visa issues. The Dodgers can simply put a player such as Tony Gonsolin on the 60-day IL to make room for Kershaw when necessary (and place Kershaw himself on the 60-day IL if/when another spot is needed for future moves), and the Rays have a similar path to clear space for Maton should they wait until camp opens next week to make his deal official. Any of Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery), Drew Rasmussen (flexor surgery) or Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery) could open the season on Tampa Bay’s 60-day IL.

3. Sanchez throwing for teams:

Right-hander Aaron Sanchez is throwing a bullpen for interested teams today, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. A former All-Star, Sanchez posted a 3.01 ERA and 3.98 FIP across his first four seasons in the majors but has struggled to a 5.40 ERA and 4.82 FIP since the start of the 2018 season amid battles with injuries, culminating in him not appearing in the majors at all last year as he split time between the Twins’ and Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliates. Sanchez is still just 31 years old and flashed big league caliber production as recently as the 2021 season, when he pitched to a 3.06 ERA in 35 1/3 innings with the Giants. Given his relative youth and previous success, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a pitching-needy club like the Padres take a flier on the right-hander this spring, though he’ll presumably be limited to minor league offers.