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  • Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: In mix for starts

    Smith-Shawver will get a chance in training camp to win a rotation spot, and figures to get opportunities early in the season even if he begins the year back at Triple-A Gwinnett, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

    With Spencer Strider (elbow) set to begin the season on the IL, Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson are penciled into the final two spots in the rotation headed into the spring. Smith-Shawver will get a look too however, and the 22-year-old right-hander has by far the best raw stuff of that trio if he can learn to harness it more consistently. He made only one regular-season appearance for Atlanta in 2024, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs on May 23 with a 4:2 K:BB, but he strained his oblique during that start, missed six weeks and was never able to regain his form afterward. While his 4.86 ERA in 87 innings at Gwinnett last year wasn't very impressive, it came with a 104:40 K:BB. If Smith-Shawver puts together an impressive camp, he could force his way into the back of Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

  • Edwin Rios 3B | CIN

    Reds' Edwin Rios: Back with Cincinnati on MiLB deal

    The Reds re-signed Rios to a minor-league contract Feb. 1.

    Rios went 1-for-10 at the plate during a brief stint with the Reds in 2024 but spent most of the year at Triple-A Louisville, where he slashed .286/.385/.547 with 22 homers in 99 games. He's likely headed back to Louisville to begin the 2025 season.

  • Colin Poche RP | TB

    Nationals' Colin Poche: Signs with Washington as NRI

    The Nationals signed Poche to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

    It's a bit of a surprise that Poche had to settle for a minor-league deal, as the left-hander has collected a 3.27 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 158:59 K:BB over 156.2 innings across the last three seasons. He has a good chance to make the Opening Day roster and could even get high-leverage opportunities in a Nationals bullpen that lacks established arms.

  • Colin Rea SP | CHC

    Cubs' Colin Rea: Swing role on tap?

    Rea could pivot between the rotation and bullpen this season as a swingman for the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    This basically confirms the assumption when Rea signed with Chicago back on Jan. 10, which was that there isn't a clear spot for him in the rotation. The veteran righty has mostly served as a starter the past few seasons, however, and he made 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea's experience gives the Cubs some depth in case another starter stumbles or goes down with injury. For now, Javier Assad figures to slot in as the team's fifth starter, though that could change during camp. If Rea doesn't snag a rotation spot right away, he figures to pitch in long relief or make some spot starts.

  • Michael Helman 2B | STL

    Cardinals' Michael Helman: Dealt to St. Louis

    The Twins traded Helman to the Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for cash.

    Helman spent most of last season with Triple-A St. Paul, where he slashed .270/.349/.482 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI across 315 plate appearances. He also fared well in a small sample size during his first career MLB stint, going 3-for-10 at the plate while scoring two runs over nine games for Minnesota. Now with the Cardinals, the 28-year-old's defensive versatility could give him a leg up in the race for a bench spot, though there's a decent chance he begins the season at Triple-A Memphis.

  • Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Feeling fully healthy

    Rodriguez (elbow) said his swing feels 100 percent as he enters spring training, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

    Rodriguez missed nearly the entire 2024 season while recovering from elbow surgery. However, his sights will be set on a big-league roster spot entering 2025, as the Pirates depth chart at catcher is ambiguous following Joey Bart. Rodriguez did acknowledge that he will likely experience some rust early in spring, so his exhibition stats may not be particularly impressive.

  • Giants' Osleivis Basabe: Traded to San Francisco

    The Giants acquired Basabe from the Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Basabe had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The 24-year-old missed much of 2024 due to injury and, when on the field, slashed only .248/.293/.336 over 66 contests at Triple-A Durham. Basabe is a versatile defender and is projected to serve as utility depth at Triple-A Sacramento.

  • Lou Trivino RP | NYY

    Giants' Lou Trivino: Nabs NRI deal with San Francisco

    The Giants signed Trivino (elbow/shoulder) to a minor-league contract Thursday with an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

    Trivino had Tommy John surgery in May of 2023 and had to shut down a rehab assignment this past September due to a shoulder issue. However, he looks to be healthy now and reportedly looked good during an audition for clubs in January. Trivino hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, so he seems likely to begin the 2025 season in the minors and hope to earn a promotion.

  • Braves' Chadwick Tromp: Favorite for backup job

    Tromp is the leading candidate to back up Sean Murphy behind the plate for Atlanta to begin the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

    The 29-year-old has never gotten more than 64 big-league plate appearances in a season and has just a .232/.237/.397 slash line for his career, but Atlanta is comfortable with his defense and game-calling. Tromp's main competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster will likely come from top prospect Drake Baldwin, although veteran backstops Curt Casali and Sandy Leon will also be in camp for Atlanta.

  • Braves' Daysbel Hernandez: Might have key setup role

    Hernandez could take over the high-leverage role left open by the absence of Joe Jimenez (knee) in the Atlanta bullpen, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

    Hernandez posted a 2.50 ERA and dazzling 26:10 K:BB over 18 innings in the majors last season, collecting three wins and a hold in 16 appearances. Jimenez, who recorded a career-high 27 holds in 2024 while serving as one of the top set-up men for closer Raisel Iglesias, is expected to miss most or all of the season while recovering from October knee surgery. Pierce Johnson will handle some of those late-inning assignments, but Hernandez could be an under-the-radar holds source in 2025.

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