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Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a quick recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the internet that we think is worth your time.
LATE START: The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to limit the workload of 20-year-old left-hander Julio Urias this season, and it appears there are several potential options on the table.
One possibility that was publicly noted on Wednesday would have*Urias begin his season at extended spring training, and then presumably move to his next destination in May or June. Whether or not that’s the big leagues would be determined, but it seems likely he’d spend some time in the minors to prepare for the big step.
It’s a workable plan given the Dodgers pitching depth, and the team sees it necessary after his innings climbed quickly in 2016.*Urias threw a career-high 127 2/3 between the the minors, majors and postseason. Previous to that his career high was 87 2/3 innings in 2014. That represents a big jump that the Dodgers won’t want to see repeated in 2017.
That doesn’t mean Urias won’t reach or exceed 128 innings this season, but don’t count on him passing 150 innings.
The Dodgers will work to limit the innings of 20-year-old left-hander Julio Urias (AP) Of course, it was injuries to the Dodgers rotation that forced their hand on Urias. He was one of 15 different pitchers to start a game for Los Angeles. At 19, he posted a 3.39 ERA over 77 innings, which is mighty impressive. That shows he’s ready to compete now, but the Dodgers want to ensure he’s competing five years from now. [@kengurnick]
ROCK ON: The Rockies are close to signing free agent reliever Greg Holland to a one-year, $7M deal. The move would add another experienced arm to what was a disastrous bullpen in 2016. The team also signed left-hander Mike Dunn earlier this winter. [Yahoo Sports]
ALL UNEMPLOYED TEAM: Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan looks at the best free agents still available as we approach spring training. [Yahoo Sports]
LOCKED IN: The Red Sox and left-hander Drew Pomeranz avoided arbitration on Wednesday, agreeing on a one-year, $4.45M deal. Pomeranz had requested $5.7M, while Boston countered with $3.6M. The two sides ultimately met in the middle. Now the focus will turn to his health after Pomeranz required a stem cell injection in his pitching elbow in October. [@Ken_Rosenthal]
DONE DEAL: The Reds have agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed reliever Scott Feldman. He’ll receive a $2.3M guarantee and can earn another $2.2M through incentives. The team has yet to announce the deal, but his physical has reportedly been completed. The 34-year-old posted a 3.97 ERA over 40 appearance with the Astros and Blue Jays in 2016. [@Ken_Rosenthal]
SHRINKING MARKET: Yet another veteran reliever found a new home Wednesday, as 32-year-old Brandon Morrow agreed to a minor-league deal with the Dodgers. Morrow, who began his career*as a starter, transitioned to a full-time reliever last season. He tossed 16 innings for the Padres, posting a strong 1.69 ERA ball. It’s a small sample, of course, but one worth betting on for the Dodgers as they add more experience and depth to their bullpen. [@YahooSports]
MORE DEPTH: The Indians have signed outfielder Austin Jackson to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Jackson would receive $1.5M in the majors, and up to $4M with incentives. Cleveland’s outfield will be deep if all their key players are healthy, but Jackson provides solid insurance. [@JonHeyman]
REPLACEMENT: The Rays are looking for a right-handed bat to replace Logan Forsythe after trading him to the Dodgers. Mike Napoli is among those Tampa Bay has checked in on. [TBTimes_Rays]
COMEBACK TRAIL: The Reds are talking to Bronson Arroyo about a possible comeback after watching him throw recently. Arroyo has not appeared in the big leagues since June 15, 2014 with Arizona. [@BusterESPN]
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
Follow @Townie813
LATE START: The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to limit the workload of 20-year-old left-hander Julio Urias this season, and it appears there are several potential options on the table.
One possibility that was publicly noted on Wednesday would have*Urias begin his season at extended spring training, and then presumably move to his next destination in May or June. Whether or not that’s the big leagues would be determined, but it seems likely he’d spend some time in the minors to prepare for the big step.
It’s a workable plan given the Dodgers pitching depth, and the team sees it necessary after his innings climbed quickly in 2016.*Urias threw a career-high 127 2/3 between the the minors, majors and postseason. Previous to that his career high was 87 2/3 innings in 2014. That represents a big jump that the Dodgers won’t want to see repeated in 2017.
That doesn’t mean Urias won’t reach or exceed 128 innings this season, but don’t count on him passing 150 innings.
ROCK ON: The Rockies are close to signing free agent reliever Greg Holland to a one-year, $7M deal. The move would add another experienced arm to what was a disastrous bullpen in 2016. The team also signed left-hander Mike Dunn earlier this winter. [Yahoo Sports]
ALL UNEMPLOYED TEAM: Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan looks at the best free agents still available as we approach spring training. [Yahoo Sports]
LOCKED IN: The Red Sox and left-hander Drew Pomeranz avoided arbitration on Wednesday, agreeing on a one-year, $4.45M deal. Pomeranz had requested $5.7M, while Boston countered with $3.6M. The two sides ultimately met in the middle. Now the focus will turn to his health after Pomeranz required a stem cell injection in his pitching elbow in October. [@Ken_Rosenthal]
DONE DEAL: The Reds have agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed reliever Scott Feldman. He’ll receive a $2.3M guarantee and can earn another $2.2M through incentives. The team has yet to announce the deal, but his physical has reportedly been completed. The 34-year-old posted a 3.97 ERA over 40 appearance with the Astros and Blue Jays in 2016. [@Ken_Rosenthal]
SHRINKING MARKET: Yet another veteran reliever found a new home Wednesday, as 32-year-old Brandon Morrow agreed to a minor-league deal with the Dodgers. Morrow, who began his career*as a starter, transitioned to a full-time reliever last season. He tossed 16 innings for the Padres, posting a strong 1.69 ERA ball. It’s a small sample, of course, but one worth betting on for the Dodgers as they add more experience and depth to their bullpen. [@YahooSports]
MORE DEPTH: The Indians have signed outfielder Austin Jackson to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Jackson would receive $1.5M in the majors, and up to $4M with incentives. Cleveland’s outfield will be deep if all their key players are healthy, but Jackson provides solid insurance. [@JonHeyman]
REPLACEMENT: The Rays are looking for a right-handed bat to replace Logan Forsythe after trading him to the Dodgers. Mike Napoli is among those Tampa Bay has checked in on. [TBTimes_Rays]
COMEBACK TRAIL: The Reds are talking to Bronson Arroyo about a possible comeback after watching him throw recently. Arroyo has not appeared in the big leagues since June 15, 2014 with Arizona. [@BusterESPN]
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!Follow @Townie813