All articles tagged with #rotation depth
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.
Washington reportedly agreed to sign right-hander Zack Littell to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027 (pending a physical), adding a veteran arm to a rotation that already features Miles Mikolas and other depth options; Littell’s recent Rays tenure showcased solid innings and controllable peripherals, giving the Nationals a potentially flexible piece for 2026 and, if productive, a possible deadline asset.
San Diego signed right-hander Griffin Canning to a deal that will be finalized after a physical, adding rotation depth amid health questions for Darvish and a reshuffled staff; the 29-year-old is returning to Southern California after time with the Angels and Mets, including a ruptured Achilles in 2025, and velocity up to 93 mph in a showcase. Terms are undisclosed, and San Diego must create 40-man space after Castellanos’ signing.
The Blue Jays remain in on free-agent starter Framber Valdez, having met him at the GM Meetings, and see him as a high-end #2 with ace potential to bolster a rotation that already includes Cease, Gausman, Bieber, Yesavage, Ponce and Berríos. Valdez’s late-season slump and age 32 temper expectations for a long-term deal, though Toronto could circle back if his market softens; they’re also weighing cheaper options like Max Scherzer. Signing Valdez would push Toronto’s CBT payroll toward the top of the MLB scale, reflecting its aggressive spending.
The Atlanta Braves claimed pitcher Alek Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, adding depth to their rotation amid a challenging season, with Manoah's recent struggles and injury history making him a low-cost, potentially high-reward option for 2026.
The Atlanta Braves' starting rotation is facing challenges due to injuries, notably AJ Smith-Shawver's elbow strain, but the team relies on its depth, including players like Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder, to maintain performance as they navigate a competitive NL East division.
Despite the injury news regarding Kodai Senga, the New York Mets are not rushing into the high-end pitching market, but may seek to acquire more rotation depth.
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed 26-year-old left-hander Kolby Allard to a one-year deal, adding pitching depth to their roster. Allard, who spent last season with the Braves, could provide rotation depth for the team and has one option year remaining, giving the Phillies flexibility to move him between Triple A and the majors as needed.
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodríguez, adding much-needed depth to their pitching rotation. While Rodríguez's role is still uncertain, the team plans to develop him as a potential starter for the 2025 season, utilizing his versatility in different pitching roles. His breakout season as a reliever in Japan has impressed the organization, and they are eager to see how his pitching style and skills will translate to the MLB. This signing provides the Blue Jays with valuable rotation depth and flexibility, potentially shaping their pitching plans for the future.
San Diego Padres' ace right-hander Joe Musgrove was scratched from his start against the Rockies due to right shoulder soreness, with manager Bob Melvin stating it would be a "full bullpen day." The team considers Musgrove's shoulder issue minor and hopes he can make his next start on Tuesday in Seattle. The Padres, who recently acquired Rich Hill, are dealing with injuries to their pitching staff but hope to have Musgrove and Michael Wacha back soon to maintain their rotation depth.
Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder injury. The severity of the injury will be determined after an MRI in New York. The team does not believe surgery will be necessary. Clarke Schmidt will start in place of Cortes on Tuesday against the White Sox at Yankee Stadium.