#pitcher-performance

#pitcher-performance

Cease, in particular, has been ridiculous. By fWAR, he's been the sixth-most valuable pitcher in the league, and his 2.13 FIP actually suggests he's been unlucky as far as his ERA (3.05) goes. Combined with an absurd penchant for striking out hitters -- he's rung up more than one-third of the batters he's faced this season -- it's no wonder that a panel of MLB executives agreed that he's been the best free-agent signing from this past offseason.

Just kind of took what I was doing last year into this spring and stayed with it. Normal build up. It felt good. I think mechanically I've been in such a good spot since last year. Taking it into the offseason to where it's just a seamless transition from offseason to in-season.

Max Scherzer is returning to the Blue Jays, as @JonHeyman first reported. $3m in base a salary with up to $10m in incentives. Last week, @bnicholsonsmith mentioned talks had picked up.

Several teams have experimented with a six-man rotation over the years, and it's virtually a requirement for the Dodgers thanks to the presence of Shohei Ohtani and his unique needs as a two-way player. It's become increasingly common for teams aside from the one that employs Ohtani, however. MLB.com's Mike Petriello wrote prior to the 2025 campaign that starts on five days of rest have become more common than the traditional four days of rest associated with a standard five-man rotation.

The Rangers announced that Anthony Veneziano has been released from his minor league contract so that the southpaw can pursue an opportunity with an Asian team. Veneziano only just signed with Texas about four weeks ago, though as per the norm with non-roster players, the Rangers aren't going to stand in the way if Veneziano is given a guaranteed offer from a foreign club.

Noah Syndergaard was released by the Chicago White Sox after making six minor league starts, failing to progress to the major leagues.

Sean Hjelle has seen diminished velocity and worse performance, making him the least trustworthy arm in the bullpen and player on the roster at this point.

"Stratton elected to exercise his right to free agency after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, marking the second time he'd faced this situation in a week."