The Opener: Phillies, Gelof, Rotation Market

As Spring Training once again becomes the league’s main focus in the aftermath of the Tokyo Series, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:

1. Phillies facing rotation questions:

Lefty Ranger Suarez is dealing with some stiffness in his back, as noted by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. Imaging fortunately revealed no structural damage, but Suarez missed a month of the 2024 season with back issues and could begin the year on the injured list. Manager Rob Thomson said the club will know more about the southpaw’s availability for the start of the season within the next day or two. If Suarez were to open the season on the shelf, that would seem to leave right-hander Taijuan Walker ticketed for a return to the rotation to begin the year. The 2024 season was disastrous for Walker, who posted a 7.10 ERA in 83 2/3 innings of work last year. The 32-year-old Walker pitched well through three spring starts before being torched for six runs in 3 2/3 innings his last time out.

2. Gelof to undergo x-rays:

The A’s suffered a bit of a scare during yesterday’s game when second baseman Zack Gelof was hit by a pitch on his right hand. MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos relays that manager Mark Kotsay believes Gelof “will be fine,” but the 25-year-old was sent for x-rays nonetheless. The results of those tests could come back as soon as today and provide clarity on whether Gelof avoided an injury. He’s the club’s everyday second baseman and will try to improve upon last year’s sophomore slump, when he hit just .211/.270/.362 (after batting .267/.337.504 as a rookie in ’23). If Gelof were to miss time, Luis Urias is on the 40-man roster and appears to be the most likely candidate to fill in at second base.

3. Late spring rotation market movement?

Reporting yesterday indicated that the Diamondbacks have received interest on southpaw Jordan Montgomery of late, a notable development given the club’s efforts to trade the lefty (and at least a portion of the $22.5MM guaranteed he’s owed for this year). While it’s rare for trades to come together this close to the start of the season, with two games already in the books and stateside Opening Day just a week away, we’ve seen a handful of late-spring deals in recent years. The White Sox and Padres agreed to last year’s Dylan Cease trade just two weeks before Opening Day. Jon Berti was traded from Miami to New York in a three-team deal on the eve of Opening Day in 2024, just as the Twins and Padres worked out their Taylor Rogers/Chris Paddack deal in the hours before Opening Day 2022.

Plenty of teams, including Montgomery’s former clubs in New York and Texas, have suffered major rotation injuries this spring. Montgomery also isn’t the only player who could at least theoretically be available, as the Cardinals have expressed at least some level of willingness to part ways with either Erick Fedde or Steven Matz this spring.