Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) isn't expected to pitch at all in 2024 after having Tommy John surgery last July. "Painter's rehab is going fine...He's just tossing at this point, which is where he should be. I don't really look for Andrew to pitch this year. I'm looking towards 2025. I guess you can always be surprised, but I don't want to put that pressure on him," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. The 20-year-old could go on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues later this year, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect the young hard-throwing hurler to pitch in the majors until 2025. Painter also missed all of the 2023 campaign, so the Phillies are going to take it slow with him and he'll surely be on a strict innings limit next year.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team really wants to bring back right-hander Zack Wheeler as he heads into the final year of his five-year contract. "Well, we would love to sign Zack today if we could. I think it's important we re-sign him. I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball...I know Wheels loves it in Philadelphia." The 33-year-old has been an ace for the Phillies in his time with the team and had another strong year in 2023 with a 13-6 record, 3.61 ERA (3.15 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 39 walks and 212 strikeouts in 192 innings over 32 starts in 2023. There's little evidence to suggest that Wheeler won't be a fantasy ace again in 2024 after reaching the 200-strikeout threshold in two of the last three seasons in Philly.

When asked if outfielder Johan Rojas would be a starter in 2024, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, "Likely, yes. Definitively, no... I think he can do enough offensively... and when you add his speed in there and his defense, he becomes a real plus." Rojas became the team's primary center fielder late last season after slashing an impressive .302/.342/.430 in his first 164 big-league games in 2023. The 23-year-old never spent time at Triple-A in the minors, though, and he struggled in the postseason. Dombrowski said late last year that Rojas would have to earn playing time in center field in 2024. Rojas is more of a contact/speed guy whose high average last year was propped up by a lofty .410 BABIP. Playing time isn't guaranteed, and Rojas' bat isn't all that special.

The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Stephen Nogosek on Tuesday, per New York Post's Jon Heyman. The 29-year-old spent time in the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations in 2023, ultimately pitching 25 1/3 big-league innings with a 5.61 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. While the Nationals could use depth in their bullpen, Nogosek will need to prove that he is better than his 2023 numbers if he hopes to catch on at the big-league level.

The New York Mets designated relief pitcher Austin Adams for assignment on Tuesday to make roster space for newly signed reliever Jake Diekman, per MLB's Anthony DiComo. The 32-year-old was signed by the Mets in November. While he pitched well last season with Triple-A Reno, Adams had a poor 5.71 ERA in 17 1/3 innings pitched with the Diamondbacks before suffering a fractured right ankle in early August, ending his season. Adams could still stay in the Mets' system if he were to clear waivers.