MLB Submits Initial Counterproposal To MLBPA
One day after the Major League Baseball Players Association released the details of its initial proposal on a new collective bargaining agreement to the public, the league submitted a counteroffer to the union, as expected. While MLB did not formally disclose the details to the public, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports that the league’s proposal contained a hard salary cap set at $245.3MM and a salary floor set at $171.2MM.
The Athletic’s Evan Drellich adds that the league is proposing an even 50-50 split in revenues. It’s not entirely clear how that can coexist with the more concrete numbers the league also suggested. In the event of a percentage-based revenue sharing split, the cap and floor would be fluid and dependent on revenues.
We’ve seen that fluidity play out in other leagues. NBA players, for instance, were only paid 90.9% of their reported salaries for the 2024-25 season after the league’s revenues came in under projections. (The NBA’s bargaining agreement calls for 51% of league revenue to go to players.) The NBA held 10% of player salaries in escrow to begin the season, and 91% of that money wound up going back into teams’ pockets rather than to the players. It’s possible that the $245.3MM cap and $171.2MM floor are just based on current projections for the 2026 season, but specific details surrounding the proposal have not fully come to light.
Rogers further notes that MLB’s proposed floor includes player benefits (insurance, transportation costs, etc.). Player benefits are already factored into each team’s luxury-tax ledger to the tune of about $18MM per year. It’s not clear whether the $1.667MM each team contributes yearly to the leaguewide pre-arbitration bonus pool are factored into that spending floor as well, but that sum does count toward a team’s CBT calculation. If both player benefits and pre-arb bonus pool contributions count toward the floor, that $171.2MM floor proposal (however it’s been calculated) would realistically call for closer to $150MM of spending toward player salaries.
That’s still a higher sum than a dozen teams in baseball are paying. The $245MM cap, conversely, would require at least eight teams to reduce payroll. Whether that’s actual cash payroll or luxury-tax payroll (calculated based upon the combined average annual values of a team’s contractual commitments) also remains unclear, though the latter seems likely. Either way, a cap/floor system would likely be implemented gradually. The Dodgers surely wouldn’t be forced to trim $200MM from payroll, just as the Guardians wouldn’t be forced to add $90-100MM to reach the floor in a single offseason.
A cap system has long been a total nonstarter for the union. MLBPA interim director Bruce Meyer and his charges have been staunchly against the implementation of any form of restriction on player earnings. The union has already issued a swift rebuke of the league’s proposal. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has the full, lengthy response for those who wish to read it in full. Within, the union makes the pointed claim that owners are not seeking a cap “out of generosity or a desire to protect the game’s well-being” but rather “to control costs, increase profits and maximize franchise values.” The MLBPA’s statement also states:
“The last time the owners made such an explicit push for a cap — over 30 years ago — it led to the longest work stoppage in MLB history. For generations, our members have fought against cap systems because they harm players at all levels, erode or eliminate contractual guarantees, pit player against player, lead to more work stoppages, not less, and get worse for players over time. Caps don’t lower ticket prices for fans, eliminate tanking or ensure teams are run with equal competence. They suffocate competition by offering owners an all-purpose excuse for inaction and mediocrity.”
Baseball is the only of the four major North American sports that doesn’t presently have a salary cap. The league will focus its arguments on the necessity for a cap to balance the playing field and create greater parity, leveraging recent World Series titles for the big-spending Dodgers as “proof” that the current system is untenable. The union, conversely, will undoubtedly point to torrid starts from small-market clubs like the Rays and Brewers (to say nothing of flops from big-payroll clubs like the Mets, Astros, Giants and Red Sox) as their own “proof” that the existing system isn’t an impediment to competitive balance. The eye-popping sticker price in the recent sale of the Padres will undoubtedly be a talking point as well.
There’s little sense in delving too deeply into the weeds on original proposals. Both sides’ first overture was always going to be a total nonstarter for the other party. That the league and union began exchanging proposals more than six months prior to the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (on Dec. 1) is likely to be a moot point. The last time around, they began negotiating even earlier, and the two parties still spent the 2021-22 offseason embroiled in a 99-day lockout that put a stoppage on all major league transactions (e.g. trades, waiver claims, free agent signings). Both sides continually blew past artificial negotiating “deadlines” until a much more tangible, real-world deadline — Opening Day 2022 — was firmly on the horizon.
It’d register as an immense surprise if Meyer and commissioner Rob Manfred were able to hammer out a new deal prior to the expiration of the current agreement. However, the fact that a lockout is a near inevitability does not mean that the same is true of missed games in 2027. The league’s formal proposition of a cap/floor system is surely intended to signal a hardline stance, as was the case with the union’s proposal (which, among other things, included a soft salary floor with no cap, substantial increases to league minimum salary, a tripling of the pre-arbitration bonus pool, and an earlier path to free agency).
That said, it’s in the best interest of the league and the players to avoid any work stoppage that actually sees games lost in the 2027 season. The league can claim a cap is a virtual necessity, but MLB has also taken great pride in touting continually rising attendance and broadcast numbers. Renegotiation of national media broadcast rights and streaming deals with platforms like Netflix, Apple and Peacock are all looming on the near horizon as well, in 2028. Similarly, the union can point to the deterioration of the “middle class” of players, but there have been notable earning gains through the increased minimum salary and the implementation of the pre-arb bonus pool, while salaries on the top end of the earning spectrum continue to rise. And in the event of lost games, ownership will invariably try to recoup some of those losses by decreasing spending on player acquisition in the years following any season with lost games.
Put more concisely: the specifics of these initial proposals will prove inconsequential. Neither party expects anything other than an outright refuting from the other. The league and union both seem to constantly jostle for the upper hand in a PR battle with fans, though they’d arguably be better off just conducting negotiations behind closed doors since most proposals from either party tend to alienate some section of the fanbase.
Ultimately, the notable takeaway from today’s proposal is that the league came out swinging with a hard cap/floor system. The players are again touting goals like earlier free agency and substantial increases to early-career earning power. Both sides will dig in their heels. Subsequent counters will be made, but it’s unlikely we’ll see any serious movement in negotiations before November, and in all likelihood, a lockout will drag talks on a new CBA into 2027.
Blue Jays’ Joe Mantiply To Undergo Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Blue Jays southpaw Joe Mantiply will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee, manager John Schneider told reporters Thursday (relayed by Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet). The veteran reliever went on the injured list a couple weeks ago with what was initially diagnosed as inflammation.
It seems there’s some damage beyond inflammation that requires a scope to correct. (The Blue Jays didn’t provide specifics on Mantiply’s injury, but arthroscopic knee procedures frequently involve a meniscus or patellar tendon repair.) Schneider didn’t give a return timeline but said the Jays don’t believe it’ll be a season-ending procedure.
Mantiply finished last season in Triple-A in the Toronto system. He returned on a minor league deal midway through Spring Training. The Jays selected him onto the MLB roster a couple weeks into the regular season. Mantiply pitched well before the injury, working to a 2.04 ERA across 17 2/3 innings. He fanned 16 of 71 opponents (22.5%) while issuing only four walks.
The 35-year-old southpaw sits in the 88-89 mph range with his sinker. His arsenal is geared more towards weak contact than whiffs — this year’s league average strikeout rate notwithstanding — and he has mostly pitched in low-leverage spots. His loss is nevertheless a hit to an area in which the Jays were already lacking.
Brendon Little, their projected top left-handed bullpen arm, had a horrible start to the season and has been in Triple-A since early April. He’s missing bats in the minors but walking too many hitters. Mason Fluharty and rookie Adam Macko are the two lefties in the MLB bullpen. Ricky Tiedemann is on the 40-man roster but hasn’t pitched since 2024 due to elbow issues. Although Macko has been sharp over his first six MLB appearances, this figures to be a clear target for the Jays if they’re in position to add at the deadline.
Mantiply is one of 10 pitchers on Toronto’s injured list. Depending on his recovery timeline, he could move to the 60-day IL when they need to open another 40-man roster spot.
Yankees Notes: Bullpen, Lagrange, Catcher
The Yankees are riding a four-game win streak after a convincing road sweep in Kansas City. They’ve improved to 34-22 to pull back within a game and a half of the Rays, who have dropped four straight after being swept in Baltimore.
It’s clear the Yankees will be approaching deadline season as buyers. They’ve built a strong cushion in the Wild Card picture and are probably still the favorites in the division. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic took an early look at New York’s likely deadline approach, writing that the front office figures to be involved in the bullpen and catching markets. Jon Heyman of The New York Post echoes the latter target, reporting that the Yankees will evaluate trade possibilities for a right-handed hitting catcher.
There’s generally a far larger supply of relief pitching than catching at the deadline. Almost every contender will make some kind of bullpen upgrade, even if just in the middle innings. The Yankees were among the most aggressive teams on that front last July, trading for David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird. All three pitchers are still around, but none has been as consistent as hoped.
Bednar was at least excellent down the stretch last season. He’s had a rockier go this year in the closer role. He’s a solid 12-14 in save chances but has allowed a 4.70 earned run average across 23 innings. Bednar’s strikeout, chase and ground-ball rates are all excellent. He’s being plagued largely by a .369 average on balls in play that’ll probably come down.
All that said, the Yankees faced a similar question with Devin Williams a year ago. Williams’ results never wound up matching his more encouraging underlying numbers, and the Yankees acquired Bednar to push Williams into a setup role. They could look to follow a similar path this summer depending on Bednar’s numbers over the next two months.
Bird spent most of last season in Triple-A after the trade. He also has better strikeout and ground-ball marks than his ERA would suggest, though he has mostly been effective aside from two poor outings in early April against the Marlins and Angels. Doval’s strikeout rate has plummeted and he’s working in low-leverage spots. Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick and Bird are all clearly ahead of him in Aaron Boone’s confidence at this point.
Regardless of whether the Yankees target a closer, they at least figure to add an arm in the middle innings. Kuty floated Miami righty Lake Bachar as an under-the-radar pitcher who could generate some deadline buzz, although there’s nothing to suggest the Yankees have targeted him specifically. Bachar has fanned 28% of opponents with a 3.04 ERA across 26 2/3 innings. He’s under club control for five seasons and still two years from qualifying for arbitration.
Among the Yankees’ current bullpen, four pitchers have a minor league option: Cruz, Headrick, Doval and Bird. The first two certainly aren’t going to Triple-A anytime soon. The Yankees already optioned Bird once this year, but they recalled him eight days later. He has pitched 10 innings of three-run ball since coming back up.
They could soon face a question on whether to keep Doval on the MLB roster. He entered the season with four years and 71 days of service. Players with five-plus service years can refuse any minor league assignments. Doval needed 101 days on the MLB roster or injured list to reach that mark. He’s just over a month away from hitting that point, meaning he’d no longer be optionable at the deadline if the Yankees don’t send him down before early July.
If everyone stays healthy, long relievers Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough would be the other candidates to push off the roster. They each have sufficient service time to decline a minor league assignment. Blackburn and Yarbrough have managed decent results but don’t miss bats or have huge stuff, so either could be bumped for a higher-octane arm.
Internally, few pitchers fit that description more than prospect Carlos Lagrange. The 23-year-old righty had an electric Spring Training in which he was routinely in the triple digits. He’s working as a starter in Triple-A, where he’s averaging 99.1 mph on his four-seam fastball. Lagrange is predictably striking out hitters at a near-30% rate, but he has yet to solve longstanding control woes. He has walked more than 12% of opponents and is only averaging a little over four innings per start.
General manager Brian Cashman tells Joel Sherman of The New York Post that the front office has had ongoing discussions about moving Lagrange to the bullpen at some point this season. That wouldn’t close the door on a long-term rotation future — though there are some evaluators who feel Lagrange is ultimately destined for relief — but would be the sensible path for breaking him into MLB this year.
Lagrange doesn’t seem quite ready to be a major league starting pitcher, but his huge stuff could play in relief right away. There’s no room in the rotation right now regardless. The Yankees have an excellent rotation with Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Carlos Rodón and Ryan Weathers. They should get Max Fried back before the deadline. Sherman floats the possibility of eventually moving Weathers to relief to keep an eye on his workload; the southpaw has already surpassed the 56 1/3 innings he threw last season between the Majors and minors with Miami. Clarke Schmidt could also make a second half return from elbow surgery and be a relief option.
As for the catching market, the Yankees have used the left-handed hitting duo of Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra all season. They did that last year as well — Wells, Escarra and Ben Rice took all their catching at-bats from the left side — but they’re not getting the same production. Wells and Escarra have combined for a .185/.280/.263 line that ranks near the bottom of MLB. Rice hasn’t caught all year and seems too valuable at first base/designated hitter to disrupt.
Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers is the top impending free agent catcher. He was off to a monster start but recently suffered a hamate fracture. That required surgery that’ll keep him out until close to the deadline in the best case scenario. Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson and the Cubs’ Carson Kelly are also impending free agents but on teams that expect to contend. Pedro Pagés, Christian Vázquez, Jake Rogers and old friend Kyle Higashioka are among the righty-hitting backup types who could be available.
Rangers Release Andrew McCutchen
The Rangers have placed Andrew McCutchen on release waivers, according to the MLB.com transaction log. That was the expectation after he was designated for assignment yesterday to make room for the signing of infielder Nicky Lopez.
Assuming McCutchen goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll become a free agent. The former MVP can explore all opportunities at that point. The Rangers will remain on the hook for the guarantees in his contract, reportedly a $1.25MM salary. A signing team would pay him the prorated $780K league minimum for any time he spends on the MLB roster, which would be subtracted from the Rangers’ obligations.
McCutchen signed a minor league deal midway through Spring Training. He’d seemingly hoped to return to the Pirates for what would’ve been the fourth season of his late-career second act in the Steel City. The Bucs didn’t appear to reciprocate that interest, and the writing was officially on the wall when Pittsburgh signed Marcell Ozuna to a $12MM free agent deal.
Texas used McCutchen mostly in a short side platoon capacity, splitting his time between DH and the corner outfield. He didn’t hit much, batting .192 with one home run over 83 trips to the plate. McCutchen drew nine walks but fanned 22 times, a 26.5% rate that would be the highest of his career over a full season.
It’s the fourth straight year in which McCutchen’s numbers have declined. The five-time All-Star had been close to a league average bat over 551 plate appearances with the Bucs last season. McCutchen still has an elite understanding of the strike zone but no longer hits for much power.
Although he struggled against pitchers of either handedness in his limited sample with Texas, he hit lefties at a solid .267/.353/.389 clip a year ago. The Rangers themselves have been one of the worst offenses in MLB against left-handed pitching. They evidently weren’t expecting McCutchen to improve that production. The Mariners and Padres are also near the bottom of the league in hitting lefties and are speculative possibilities that could consider him for a bench role.
Rockies Transfer Jose Quintana To 60-Day Injured List
The Rockies announced they’ve transferred starter Jose Quintana to the 60-day injured list. He’d been placed on the 15-day IL on Monday with an elbow sprain. Today’s move creates a 40-man roster spot for Jeff Criswell, who has been reinstated from the 60-day IL. He’ll remain at Triple-A Albuquerque on optional assignment.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports that Quintana is expected to avoid surgery. However, a sprain by definition indicates there’s some amount of stretching and/or tearing to the ligament. The immediate IL transfer rules him out for at least two months. Quintana won’t be back until late July at the earliest.
That probably takes him off the summer trade market. Colorado signed Quintana to a one-year, $6MM deal just before Spring Training. They hoped he’d raise the floor in an historically bad rotation while pitching well enough to be a deadline trade candidate. Quintana was never going to bring back a significant prospect but could plausibly have gotten them a low minors lottery ticket or two if he were pitching well.
It’s theoretically possible that Quintana could return at the 60-day mark and start one or two games before the August 3 deadline. Even in that case, it’s unlikely he’d show enough to be a target for a contender. Quintana has only completed six innings once in his nine starts this year. He has a 5.27 ERA with a career-low 11% strikeout rate while averaging less than 90 mph on his fastball.
Making a second half return would be more important for the veteran southpaw personally. Assuming he wants to continue playing beyond this season, he’ll need an impressive final month or two to give himself a chance at securing another major league deal. The Rockies are also without Chase Dollander and Ryan Feltner, though the latter might be back as early as Saturday.
Criswell underwent Tommy John surgery in Spring Training 2025. The Michigan product had pitched pretty well in a small sample debut at the tail end of the ’24 season. His stuff has looked good on a rehab assignment, and he has fanned 12 hitters in his first 6 2/3 frames with Albuquerque. They’ll let him continue working against Triple-A hitters but could bring him back to the MLB level at any point now that he’s back on the 40-man roster.
Rockies, John Brebbia Agree To Minor League Deal
The Rockies and veteran reliever John Brebbia are in agreement on a minor league deal, reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The Icon Sports client was with the Rox in spring training after signing a minor league deal in December, but he opted out of his contract late in camp. Brebbia then signed a minor league with the Twins, triggered an opt-out last week after a couple months in their system, and was granted his release. He’s now back in the Rockies’ system
The 35-year-old Brebbia struggled through his time in the Twins organization. He pitched 20 1/3 innings with their Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul and was tagged for a 6.20 earned run average that closely mirrors his big league work in the past couple seasons. To his credit, Brebbia started quite well, allowing one run with a 17-to-3 K/BB ratio over his first 10 2/3 innings with the Saints, but he was rocked for 13 runs over his next 9 2/3 innings. He then triggered his out clause and was granted his release.
While Brebbia has a nice overall track record in the majors, he’s had a rough showing the past couple years. He’s pitched for three teams (White Sox, Braves, Tigers) and served up a 6.41 ERA in 78 2/3 innings. Home runs have been his primary undoing; opponents have averaged 1.83 homers per nine innings against him since 2024.
That said, Brebbia has a lifetime 4.04 ERA, 25.6% strikeout rate and 7.5% walk rate in 378 1/3 major league innings. He’s saved four games and picked up 62 holds while pitching between the Cardinals, Giants, Tigers, White Sox and Braves.
The Rockies’ bullpen is one of the weakest in the sport. Colorado relievers have combined for a 4.51 ERA — 4.56 if you exclude prized young starter Chase Dollander‘s work as a bulk option following an opener. Relievers Jimmy Herget and Victor Vodnik are both on the injured list at the moment (as is Dollander), so bringing in some extra relief depth to stash in the upper minors makes sense for the Rockies — particularly if they end up moving some bullpen arms at this year’s deadline. Free-agent-to-be Antonio Senzatela, who’s in the midst of a breakout campaign in the ‘pen, stands as the most logical trade candidate of the bunch.
Marlins, Amos Willingham Agree To Minor League Deal
The Marlins and right-hander Amos Willingham have agreed to a minor league contract, per Ari Alexander of 7News. The Gaeta Sports Management client is headed to Triple-A Jacksonville for the time being.
Willingham, 27, has pitched in parts of two big league seasons, both with the division-rival Nationals. He’s been tagged for 20 runs on 37 hits and nine walks with 16 strikeouts in 25 1/3 frames, resulting in a 7.11 earned run average. Nine of those 37 knocks against him have been home runs.
Willingham began the season with the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate. He posted a quality 3.38 ERA in 13 1/3 frames but did so while walking more batters (11) than he struck out (nine). With the Astros organization, he was working at 94 mph with his heater — down from his career average of 95.9 mph in the majors — and had increased the use of his changeup at the expense of his cutter and slider.
Despite the lack of big league success, Willingham has an accomplished track record in Triple-A. He’s pitched parts of four seasons there and carries a career 3.59 ERA with a 22.1% strikeout rate, an 11.3% walk rate and a 43.8% ground-ball rate that’s a bit better than the major league average. He also has a minor league option remaining, so if the Marlins select Willingham’s contract and call him to the majors at any point, they can send him back down to Jacksonville without needing to expose him to waivers.
Orioles Activate, Option Heston Kjerstad
The Orioles announced Thursday that outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who’s been out all season due to a hamstring strain, has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He’ll fill the lone vacancy on Baltimore’s 40-man roster, which is now at capacity.
Formerly the No. 2 overall draft pick and one of the sport’s top prospects, the now-27-year-old Kjerstad still hasn’t experienced major league success. He’s appeared in parts of three big league seasons but compiled only a .218/.284/.365 slash in a total of 314 trips to the plate. The former Arkansas standout has fanned in 28% of his plate appearances in the majors and walked at only a 5.7% rate. Kjerstad makes a decent amount of hard contact but is far too prone to chasing off the plate and makes contact at a below-average rate when he expands the zone.
Though he’s struggled in limited major league looks, Kjerstad has a productive track record in Triple-A. He’s logged parts of four seasons at the top minor league level and delivered a hearty .274/.354/.482 slash with a 9.4% walk rate and 24% strikeout rate. He’s homered 29 times, collected 36 doubles and logged seven triples in 755 plate appearances at that level.
To this point, Kjerstad has never really gotten an extended look as an everyday outfielder. Health troubles have played a role in that but aren’t entirely at the root of the issue. He dealt with myocarditis early in his professional career and has twice been on the major league injured list due to concussions. Last year’s season ended with an unspecified medical issue; he reported severe fatigue to the Orioles, which prompted a wave of testing. The team never disclosed the results of that testing, but Kjerstad appears healthy enough for game action now.
Looking past those medical issues, however, Kjerstad’s calls to the majors have typically come to replace a more established outfielder who’s on the shelf with an injury. The O’s have also platooned him heavily despite pretty decent left-on-left numbers in the minors from 2022-24. The Orioles were rebuilding when Kjerstad was drafted in 2020, but much of his time on the cusp of the majors (and in the majors) has come when the O’s have been operating with more of a win-now focus. That’s led to veteran acquisitions of Tyler O’Neill, Taylor Ward, Ramon Laureano and others. Some have worked out better than others, but all have combined to cut into would-be opportunities for Kjerstad.
Assuming Kjerstad spends more than 20 days in the minors, today’s transaction will burn his final minor league option year. The O’s will presumably want to get him a real look later in the season, as he’ll head into 2027 without any minor league options, meaning he’d have to make the roster or else be designated for assignment. Young outfielders like Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers haven’t really cemented themselves as fixtures in the Oriole outfield as the team had hoped, so there might still be some opportunity for Kjerstad to seize a spot if he’s called up later this year. If not, he’ll have to win a job heading into the ’27 season. Speculatively speaking, he could also emerge as a change of scenery candidate at this year’s deadline or in the offseason.
Orioles To Select Cameron Weston
The Orioles are going to select right-hander Cameron Weston, per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Fellow righty Trey Gibson will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding active roster move. Baltimore had a couple of 40-man vacancies due to both Albert Suárez and Dietrich Enns being designated for assignment in recent days, so Weston fills one of those vacancies.
Weston, 25, was Baltimore’s eighth-round pick in 2022. Reports on him have generally noted that he doesn’t have overpowering stuff but he does have a deep arsenal than can help him keep hitters off balance. He throws a low-90s sinker along with a slider, cutter, changeup and splitter.
The results were definitely working in the lower levels. From 2022 to 2024, he logged 163 1/3 innings as he climbed from Single-A to Double-A. He posted a 3.09 earned run average with a 28.3% strikeout rate and 7.2% walk rate. Going into 2025, Baseball America ranked him the #13 prospect in the system while FanGraphs had him at #14.
The effectiveness of his diverse arsenal seemed to wane as he reached more polished hitters. He tossed 135 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level last year with a 4.59 ERA, 22% strikeout rate and 11.7% walk rate. This year, he has a 6.26 ERA through 11 appearances with a big 30.8% strikeout rate but a worrisome 14.6% walk rate. BA now lists him 28th in the system while FG recently placed him 42nd.
The Orioles have a rotation consisting of Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Brandon Young and Trevor Rogers. Perhaps Weston is coming up to take on the long relief role that Suárez was in previously, as the O’s kick off a four-game series hosting the Blue Jays. Bassitt is taking the ball tonight but is having a rough year, with a 5.51 ERA so far. Rogers takes his 6.96 ERA to the mound on Friday. Young goes on Saturday and has a solid 3.47 ERA on the year but in a small sample of seven starts. In his 19 career starts, he has a 5.17 ERA.
If the O’s get into trouble at any point in the coming days, perhaps Weston could eat some innings for them, sparing the other relievers. Since this is his first call-up, he has a full slate of options and could be easily sent back to Norfolk if the O’s need a fresh arm again in the future.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
Jared Jones To Start For Pirates On Friday
Pirates manager Don Kelly told members of the media, including Jason Mackey of MLB.com, that right-hander Jared Jones will start for the Pirates on Friday. Carmen Mlodzinski will move to the bullpen. Jones is on the 60-day injured list, so the Bucs will have to add him to both the 40-man and active rosters.
Jones will be making his first big league start since the 2024 season. He experienced some elbow discomfort during spring training in 2025. He didn’t initially require surgery but ultimately went under the knife on May 21st, requiring an internal brace procedure. The Bucs announced his return timeline as 10 to 12 months and he will now rejoin the club after an absence just a bit longer than the initial window.
Prior to that injury absence, Jones put together an exciting debut season. Paul Skenes got a lot of the attention in 2024 but Jones was also putting up good numbers as a rookie, just not to the same degree. Jones made 22 starts that year and logged 121 2/3 innings with a 4.14 earned run average, 26.2% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate. He has made five rehab starts this year with a 2.89 ERA, 32.9% strikeout rate and 8.2% walk rate.
While Jones has been gone, other young arms have stepped in, with Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler debuting in 2025. Ashcraft has an excellent 2.73 ERA through his first 138 1/3 innings. Chandler hasn’t been as effective but his 4.54 ERA through 83 1/3 innings is serviceable.
If Jones can pick up where he left off, it’s an exciting rotation core. Skenes and Jones are under club control through 2029. Ashcraft and Chandler are controlled for another two years after that. Mitch Keller is signed through 2028. Prospects like Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington and Antwone Kelly are lurking in the upper minors. Seth Hernandez, the club’s first-round pick in last year’s draft, isn’t even 20 years old yet but he just got promoted to High-A and could be a fast riser.
The long-term rotation picture seemed to motivate the Pirates to add more offense this winter. They felt good enough about the depth to send out Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo, bringing back Jhostynxon García, Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and a couple of other pitchers. They also signed free agents Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna.
So far, the team is hanging in a tough National League playoff race. All five clubs in the Central are above .500, leaving the Bucs technically in last place despite a solid 29-27 record, but they are just one game back of a playoff spot at the moment. Jones will jump into the rotation next to Skenes, Ashcraft, Keller and Chandler, hopefully strengthening the staff for the coming months and into future seasons.
Mlodzinski has been holding down a rotation spot in the meantime. He has made 11 appearances this year, only nine of which were officially starts, but the other two were effectively starts behind an opener. Overall, he has 55 innings on the year with a solid 3.76 ERA. His 19.3% strikeout rate is subpar but his 8.4% walk rate and 43.5% ground ball rate are both a bit better than average.
He also has plenty of relief experience, so he should be able to return to that role fairly easily. Officially, he has a 4.40 ERA as a starter and a 2.63 ERA as a reliever in his career, though that split is thrown off a bit since he has occasionally worked as an opener and as a bulk guy behind an opener.
Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images