

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) is currently on a "slow program" and won't be on the Opening Day roster, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. As Eric Stephen of SB Nation notes, it's currently unclear whether Buehler will participate in extended spring training or a different method of rehab. Outside of one Triple-A appearance last season, Buehler hasn't pitched since 2022. The Dodgers have a very strong rotation and are in no rush to get Buehler back, but they would certainly benefit from the return of a young hurler who has eclipsed 5.0 fWAR twice since 2019.



The Chicago White Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and the 69th overall pick in the 2024 draft from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Gregory Santos, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Berroa is a young right-handed prospect who bypassed Triple-A to make his MLB debut last season. He's an interesting case study given his very high walk and strikeout rates, as well as very low home run and ground-ball rates. He might not be an immediate contributor in Chicago but figures to crack the big-league squad (presumably in the bullpen) within a year or two. DeLoach is a former second-round pick who spent most of his time in right field at the Triple-A level last year. He slashed .286/.387/.481 with 23 home runs and could open the year as the White Sox' fourth outfielder amidst new reports that Oscar Colas is likely headed for Triple-A.


The Seattle Mariners have acquired relief pitcher Gregory Santos from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for right-hander Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and the 69th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Santos made a handful of appearances between 2021 and 2022 but truly emerged last year, amassing a 3.39 ERA, 8.95 K/9, and 2.31 BB/9 over the course of 66.1 innings before a late-season shoulder injury. Now healthy, he was in the mix to be the White Sox' closer and should maintain a high-leverage role in Seattle.


St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Moises Gomez has been sent outright to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. The Cardinals designated him for assignment back on January 29 to make room on their 40-man roster for the recently-acquired Alfonso Rivas but Gomez went unclaimed on waivers, so he will start the season at Triple-A. He smashed 30 home runs to go along with 79 RBI last season with the Redbirds last year but put up a lackluster .232/.293/.457 batting line over 514 at-bats in the process. He's still only 25 years old and will have a chance, at some point, to earn some major league at-bats. It's a long season and Gomez is a name to keep an eye on.


Free agent relief pitcher Jake Walsh has signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves that includes an invite to spring training. Walsh is 28 years old but has very limited major league experience. He only pitched 2/2 innings last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and allowed four earned runs, so it's hard to judge him off such a small sample size. However, he does own a career 2.69 ERA and 1.102 WHIP over six minor league seasons 237 2/3 innings as both a starter and a reliever. This is a notable transaction considering Atlanta's track record of success in developing both starters and relievers.
