The Opener is again after a quick hiatus. Listed here are three issues to observe for round baseball immediately:
1. Jesús Luzardo media availability:
Jesús Luzardo will converse with media members immediately for the primary time because the Phillies acquired him in a commerce with the Marlins. The left-hander was wonderful in 2023 however struggled in 2024 earlier than struggling a season-ending lumbar harm. He additionally spent a few weeks on the IL in April and Might with tightness in his throwing elbow. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old instructed reporters (together with Christina De Nicola of MLB.com) earlier this winter that he has been capable of carry out his “regular offseason development,” suggesting his elbow and again are “feeling actually good.” Presumably, Luzardo will additional focus on his well being and offseason program with reporters from the Phillies beat this afternoon.
2. Craig Breslow to debate Walker Buehler signing:
After coming to phrases with free agent right-hander Walker Buehler final week, the Crimson Sox formally introduced his one-year, $21.05MM contract over the weekend. Right this moment, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will meet with reporters to take questions on Buehler (per Chris Cotillo of MassLive). Cotillo provides that there are presently no plans for the pitcher himself to carry an in-person press occasion.
Breslow is more likely to handle how Buehler will slot right into a beginning rotation that additionally consists of Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and doubtlessly/ultimately Garrett Whitlock, Patrick Sandoval, and Quinn Priester. As well as, anticipate Breslow to reply questions on what comes subsequent. He has made a number of strikes to bolster Boston’s pitching workers this winter however subsequent to nothing to improve the offense.
3. Free agent contracts but to be finalized:
A handful of reported free agent offers from December have but to be formally introduced. These embody Paul Goldschmidt’s one-year, $12.5MM cope with the Yankees; Joc Pederson’s two-year, $37MM cope with the Rangers; Teoscar Hernández’s three-year, $66MM cope with the Dodgers; and Corbin Burnes’s six-year, $210MM cope with the Diamondbacks. Whereas the Hernández and Burnes offers have been reported comparatively not too long ago (Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, respectively), it’s been greater than per week since Goldschmidt (Dec. 21) and Pederson (Dec. 23) agreed to phrases with their new golf equipment. Barring any shocking developments, each offers will almost definitely be finalized imminently.
