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American League
Astros
• Ryan Weiss is set to compete for a rotation spot.
Weiss, who pitched in Korea for the last two seasons, will join the rotation alongside Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr.. Meanwhile, Nate Pearson, who joined with a one-year contract in October, will be prepared as a starter but may end up in the bullpen.
“What stands out about Weiss is his dedication,” said Dana Brown. “He revitalized his career in Korea, enhancing his speed to 97 mph, maintaining 94 with effective secondary pitches. He’s got a compelling career story, and we are excited for him to compete for a role in our rotation.”
• Jake Meyer is confirmed as the center fielder for the team.
General Manager Brown commented, “Meyers is a solid fit for us as center fielder right now, and we may consider additional deals in the future.”
• Top prospect Brice Matthews will gain outfield experience.
“Matthews will try out the outfield, although second base remains his primary position,” Brown mentioned. “We believe he will improve offensively while also exploring some time in the outfield.”
National League
Brewers
• Logan Henderson plans to incorporate a curveball into his mix.
Henderson is focusing on developing secondary pitches like a curveball, in addition to enhancing his cutter from the previous year, aiming for a well-rounded repertoire. “I want a variety of pitches rather than just relying on my fastball and changeup,” he stated.
Cardinals
• Dustin May reports his elbow is fully healed and is focusing on gaining muscle mass.
May shared that he feels healthy and does not foresee any issues with his elbow. He aims to enhance his pitching effectiveness while working on increasing his weight to 225 pounds.
Diamondbacks
• Mike Soroka is working to resolve health issues that previously caused inflammation.
Soroka has improved his delivery and is optimistic that these changes, combined with addressing his health concerns, will lead to a successful season ahead.
