All articles tagged with #rotation depth
Cleveland acquired lefty Foster Griffin from Washington for four prospects—Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez and Nick Mitchell—adding a veteran starter who posted a 3.15 ERA across 129 1/3 innings in 2026 and should give Cleveland more rotation depth for a potential playoff run.
The Atlanta Braves acquired Tyler Mahle from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for reliever Anthony Molina, adding mid-rotation depth behind Chris Sale as Atlanta navigates multiple rotation injuries. Mahle has been healthy this year but carries an injury history (Tommy John in 2023, past shoulder issues) and enters with a 5.13 ERA over 18 starts (3.79 ERA in his last seven), after a one-year, $10M contract with SF. The move is a depth addition to stabilize the rotation rather than a blockbuster upgrade.
The Rays acquired veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Mets for three minor-leaguers—Aidan Smith, Emilien Pitre and Gary Gill Hill—to shore up a rotation that needs depth with Shane McClanahan on the IL. Peralta, 30, is a two-time All-Star who went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA for Milwaukee in 2025, but has struggled this year (5-9, 4.99 ERA in 22 Mets starts). He’s under the final year of an $8 million extension and will be a free agent after the season. The move comes as Tampa Bay, with the AL’s best record, eyes further upgrades before the Monday deadline, and Fraley was moved to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man spot for Peralta; a debut could come as soon as Tuesday in Denver. The Mets acquired Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat for Peralta in January.
The Minnesota Twins are aggressively upgrading at the MLB trade deadline, trading a rookie-league outfielder to Baltimore for Orioles starter Dean Kremer to bolster rotation depth and adding lefty reliever A.J. Minter from the Mets; the moves total about $5 million in payroll, with owner Tom Pohlad authorizing more, as Minnesota aims to shore up the bullpen and ease workload on rookie Connor Prielipp while pursuing a right-handed late-inning arm for the stretch run.
Miami isn’t pressing the button on a Sandy Alcantara trade, despite market chatter, as he remains the likely rotation anchor under team control through 2027. Braxton Garrett, however, has real trade value and has drawn broad interest from clubs seeking a controllable starter, though the Marlins’ new front office hasn’t rushed his MLB usage. If the right offer comes, Garrett could move, with contenders (and a few rebuilders) such as the D-backs, Cubs, Brewers, White Sox, Rays, Padres, Rangers, Twins, Phillies and Braves among the interested teams, while Miami balances a playoff push with rotation depth around Meyer, Pérez, and others.
The Brewers activated Lance McCullers Jr. from the injured list and will begin his return in the bullpen, with Jared Koenig optioned to Triple-A; McCullers hasn’t pitched since May 13 due to shoulder inflammation and recently built up to 77 pitches in a rehab stint. Milwaukee traded for depth starter Colton Gordon as part of the deal and paid about $2.5 million of McCullers’ $17 million salary to bolster bullpen/rotation depth as injuries wear on.
Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his Sunday start due to fatigue and will resume throwing on Tuesday; he will not pitch in Milwaukee's three-game series vs. Miami this week and could be pushed to the end of the rotation to start next Tuesday against the Mets, as the club manages workload amid a number of rotation injuries.
Philadelphia selected Bryse Wilson and recalled Seth Johnson to bolster a shaky back end of the rotation, optioning Tanner Banks. Wilson, a 28-year-old veteran with MLB and minor-league experience, could start or provide length in relief as Philly continues to explore a durable fifth starter ahead of upcoming schedule.
The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation after Friday’s start vs. the Mets, and Anthony Molina was recalled from Triple-A in the corresponding roster move. Strider’s 2026 season has been hampered by injuries and had him at a 5.31 ERA through eight starts, with a high walk rate and a velocity around 95 mph, prompting MRI evaluation. With the Braves leading the league at 45-24, the club faces a potential rotation shuffle, with JR Ritchie or Reynaldo López options to take a turn while Hurston Waldrep and others build back up.
The Diamondbacks option Brandon Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno to rebuild him as a starter after moving him to the bullpen, with Taylor Clarke placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list and Kade Strowd and Philip Abner recalled. The move follows a rough start to 2026 for Pfaadt amid mixed results in recent seasons, and Arizona is juggling rotation depth while navigating injuries and uneven performances.
The Los Angeles Angels signed Taijuan Walker to a minor league deal after Philadelphia released him. Walker, 33, posted a rough 23 earned runs in 22 2/3 innings across five appearances (four starts) this season. The Angels will owe only the prorated league minimum if he reaches the majors, giving them inexpensive depth in a rotation that could use it while they evaluate options.
The Detroit Tigers placed Casey Mize on the 15-day injured list with a right adductor strain and Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right ankle, with Enmanuel De Jesus and Jace Jung recalled from Triple-A Toledo. Mize had been one of the club’s best starters (2.90 ERA, 27.3% strikeouts) before exiting his last start with an apparent injury. With Justin Verlander also sidelined, Detroit’s rotation depth is being tested and potential replacements include Drew Anderson or Triple-A arms Sawyer Gipson-Long and Ty Madden. Báez’s injury opens up outfield/center-field opportunities, with Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez, and the possibility of Max Clark eventually reaching the majors. The timetable for Báez’s return is not yet clear.
Astros right-hander Cody Bolton exited his start with mid-back tightness and will undergo imaging, signaling a potential IL stint and a looming rotation shakeup as Houston copes with injuries to Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Tatsuya Imai; J.P. France was recalled as insurance, with other depth arms like Spencer Arrighetti and Colton Gordon mentioned as options depending on Bolton’s status.
Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta left today’s game with right elbow stiffness after a velocity drop; imaging may be considered, with optimistic notes about a quick return. If he misses time, San Diego could turn to Matt Waldron or Griffin Canning, among other depth options, to fill the rotation as the team navigates the injury ahead of the season.
Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai left Seattle to Houston for a medical evaluation after reporting right-arm fatigue, a setback that compounds rotation concerns as Houston deals with injuries and a thin starter group early in the season.