Predicting Every MLB Team's 2025 Opening Day Starting Rotation, Version 4.0 (2025)

Joel ReuterMar 10, 2025

Now that the vast majority of available starters have found a new home and spring training is underway, the story shifts to how teams can navigate injuries and spring performance while filling out the Opening Day roster.

No injury looms larger than the right elbow issues Gerrit Cole is dealing with for the New York Yankees, but they are far from the only team with work to do this spring sorting out who breaks camp with a rotation spot.

Ahead, we've predicted each MLB team's Opening Day starting rotation for the 2025 season, while also providing a look at other options who are still in camp and the notable pitchers who could start the year on the injured list.

Arizona Diamondbacks

1 of 30

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Corbin Burnes

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Corbin Burnes
2. RHP Zac Gallen
3. RHP Merrill Kelly
4. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
5. RHP Brandon Pfaadt

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:It speaks to the upside and depth of the D-backs rotation this year that Brandon Pfaadt (181.2 IP) and Ryne Nelson (150.2 IP) are competing for the No. 5 starter job a year after leading the team in innings pitched, while Jordan Montgomery appears to be ticketed for a long relief role. The Corbin Burnes-Zac Gallen tandem stacks up to any one-two punch in baseball.

Other Internal Candidates:LHP Jordan Montgomery, RHP Ryne Nelson, LHP Tommy Henry, RHP Yilber Diaz, LHP Blake Walston, RHP Cristian Mena

Athletics2 of 30

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Luis Severino

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Luis Severino
2. LHP Jeffrey Springs
3. LHP JP Sears
4. RHP Osvaldo Bido
5. RHP Mitch Spence

IL:LHP Ken Waldichuk

Quick Thoughts: Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and JP Sears are locked into the first three spots in the Athletics rotation, while Osvaldo Bido has a leg up for the fourth place after logging a 3.41 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 63.1 innings over nine starts and seven relief appearances. Mitch Spence (151.1 IP) and Joey Estes (127.2 IP) both made 24 starts last year, so there is also some playable depth at the back of the staff.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Joey Estes, RHP J.T. Ginn, RHP Gunnar Hoglund, LHP Jacob Lopez

Atlanta Braves3 of 30

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Chris Sale

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Chris Sale
2. RHP Reynaldo López
3. RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
4. RHP Grant Holmes
5. RHP Ian Anderson

IL:RHP Spencer Strider

Quick Thoughts: Despite losing Max Fried and Charlie Morton in free agency, the Braves opted against any major outside additions to their rotation, opting instead to trust some combination of Grant Holmes, Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder to hold down the final two spots on the staff. Holmes and Anderson are both out of minor league options, so they will likely get the first shot.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP Bryce Elder

Baltimore Orioles4 of 30

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Zach Eflin

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Zach Eflin
2. RHP Charlie Morton
3. RHP Dean Kremer
4. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano
5. RHP Albert Suárez

IL:RHP Grayson Rodriguez, RHP Kyle Bradish, RHP Tyler Wells, LHP Trevor Rogers, RHP Chayce McDermott

Quick Thoughts: The Orioles' starting pitching depth will be put to the test early, with Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) and Trevor Rogers (knee) joining Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells on the injured list this spring. The immediate result is a battle between swingman Albert Suárez and former top prospect Cade Povich to fill what was expected to be Rodriguez's spot on the staff.

Other Internal Candidates:LHP Cade Povich, RHP Roansy Contreras, RHP Brandon Young

Boston Red Sox5 of 30

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Garrett Crochet

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Garrett Crochet
2. RHP Tanner Houck
3. RHP Walker Buehler
4. RHP Lucas Giolito
5. RHP Quinn Priester

IL:RHP Brayan Bello, RHP Kutter Crawford, LHP Patrick Sandoval

Quick Thoughts: The Red Sox rotation might have the widest range of potential outcomes of any staff in baseball. Will Walker Buehler return to his pre-injury form? Can Lucas Giolito make a smooth return from Tommy John surgery? Does Garrett Crochet have the durability to live up to being staff ace? They also have a camp battle between Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts to sort out now that Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford are both starting the year on the injured list.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Richard Fitts, RHP Cooper Criswell

Chicago Cubs6 of 30

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Justin Steele

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Shōta Imanaga
2. LHP Justin Steele
3. RHP Jameson Taillon
4. LHP Matthew Boyd
5. RHP Colin Rea

IL:RHP Javier Assad

Quick Thoughts: An injury to Javier Assad (strained oblique) brought some clarity to the Cubs rotation, at least to start the year. The pitching staff is loaded with guys who are out of minor league options, so there will be some decisions to make once Assad returns, including whether he pushes Colin Rea or someone else to the bullpen. For now, the projected five-man staff has the makings of a solid rotation.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Ben Brown, LHP Jordan Wicks

Chicago White Sox7 of 30

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Martín Pérez

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Martín Pérez
2. RHP Jonathan Cannon
3. RHP Davis Martin
4. RHP Sean Burke
5. RHP Bryse Wilson

IL:LHP Ky Bush, RHP Drew Thorpe

Quick Thoughts:The White Sox signed Martín Pérez (1/$5 million) and Bryse Wilson (1/$1.05 million) to join a group of young, largely unproven arms in the starting rotation. Right-hander Jonathan Cannon has the potential to be more than just a rebuild placeholder after posting a 4.49 ERA in 124.1 innings as a rookie. Will we see top prospect Noah Schultz before the 2025 season is over?

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Nick Nastrini, LHP Noah Schultz

Cincinnati Reds8 of 30

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Brady Singer

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Hunter Greene
2. RHP Brady Singer
3. LHP Andrew Abbott
4. RHP Nick Martinez
5. LHP Nick Lodolo

IL:LHP Brandon Williamson, RHP Julian Aguiar

Quick Thoughts:It speaks to the quality of depth the Reds have assembled in the starting rotation that top prospect Rhett Lowder will likely start the season back at Triple-A, despite logging a 1.17 ERA in 30.2 innings over six starts after making his MLB debut on Aug. 30 last year. Right-hander Graham Ashcraft had a tough 2024 season, but he is just a year removed from looking like a potential long-term rotation piece as well.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Rhett Lowder, RHP Graham Ashcraft, RHP Connor Phillips

Cleveland Guardians9 of 30

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Tanner Bibee

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Tanner Bibee
2. RHP Gavin Williams
3. RHP Ben Lively
4. RHP Luis L. Ortiz
5. RHP Triston McKenzie

IL:RHP Shane Bieber, LHP John Means

Quick Thoughts:After turning to Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd to start playoff games a year ago, the Guardians will be counting on a healthy Gavin Williams, newcomer Luis L. Ortiz and the eventual return of Shane Bieber to stabilize the rotation behind young ace Tanner Bibee. Triston McKenzie is out of minor league options, so expect him to be on the Opening Day roster in some capacity, though Logan Allen could push him for the fifth starter job.

Other Internal Candidates:LHP Logan Allen, RHP Jakob Junis, LHP Joey Cantillo, RHP Slade Cecconi, LHP Kolby Allard, RHP Vince Velasquez

Colorado Rockies10 of 30

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Germán Márquez

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Germán Márquez
2. RHP Ryan Feltner
3. LHP Kyle Freeland
4. RHP Antonio Senzatela
5. RHP Bradley Blalock

IL:LHP Austin Gomber

Quick Thoughts:Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela pitched a combined 16.1 innings in 2024, so the Rockies have plenty of potential for in-house improvement, even if this projects to be a bottom-tier rotation once again. With Austin Gomber (shoulder) expected to open the year on the injured list, Bradley Blalock is making a strong case for the No. 5 starter job with a 2.16 ERA and nine strikeouts in 8.1 innings this spring.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Tanner Gordon, LHP Carson Palmquist, RHP Chase Dollander, RHP Jake Woodford

Detroit Tigers11 of 30

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Tarik Skubal

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Tarik Skubal
2. RHP Jack Flaherty
3. RHP Reese Olson
4. RHP Casey Mize
5. RHP Kenta Maeda

IL:RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long, RHP José Urquidy, RHP Ty Madden

Quick Thoughts:Top prospect Jackson Jobe is going to make an impact in some capacity during the 2025 season, but with Jack Flaherty re-signed and Kenta Maeda (3.12 ERA, 1 BB, 14 K, 8.2 IP) enjoying a terrific spring, he might end up back at Triple-A to open the year. The bullpen should be a major weapon for the Tigers again this season, but the rotation also looks capable of shouldering a bit more of the load.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Jackson Jobe, RHP Keider Montero, RHP Matt Manning

Houston Astros12 of 30

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Hunter Brown

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Framber Valdez
2. RHP Hunter Brown
3. RHP Ronel Blanco
4. RHP Spencer Arrighetti
5. RHP Hayden Wesneski

IL:RHP Luis García, RHP Lance McCullers Jr., RHP Cristian Javier, RHP J.P. France

Quick Thoughts:The Astros still look like a prime candidate to add a workhorse veteran like Kyle Gibson to help absorb some innings early in the season while several of their starters work back from injury. Instead, it looks like they will rely on newcomer Hayden Wesneski to handle the No. 5 starter job, but keep an eye on left-hander Colton Gordon. The 26-year-old had a 4.14 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 128.1 innings in the upper levels of the minors last year.

Other Internal Candidates:LHP Colton Gordon, RHP A.J. Blubaugh, RHP Miguel Ullola

Kansas City Royals13 of 30

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Cole Ragans

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Cole Ragans
2. RHP Seth Lugo
3. RHP Michael Wacha
4. LHP Kris Bubic
5. RHP Michael Lorenzen

IL:RHP Kyle Wright

Quick Thoughts:It speaks to the rotation depth the Royals have assembled that they were able to trade Brady Singer and be without Kyle Wright to open the year, and they still have Alec Marsh (25 GS, 4.53 ERA, 123 K, 129.0 IP) on the outside looking in for a spot on the Opening Day staff. It will be interesting to see how Kris Bubic handles shifting back to a starting role after posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 39-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30.1 innings out of the bullpen last year.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Alec Marsh, LHP Daniel Lynch IV, LHP Noah Cameron, RHP Luinder Avila, RHP Ross Stripling

Los Angeles Angels14 of 30

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Yusei Kikuchi

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
2. LHP Tyler Anderson
3. RHP José Soriano
4. LHP Reid Detmers
5. RHP Kyle Hendricks

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:The Angels gave Yusei Kikuchi a three-year, $63.8 million deal to be the ace of the staff, while they are also banking on longtime Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks still having something left in the tank. Up and comers Caden Dana and Samuel Aldegheri were optioned to the minors over the weekend, but both should factor into the rotation at some point in 2025.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Jack Kochanowicz, RHP Chase Silseth, RHP Sam Bachman, RHP Dakota Hudson

Los Angeles Dodgers15 of 30

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
2. RHP Roki Sasaki
3. LHP Blake Snell
4. RHP Tyler Glasnow
5. RHP Tony Gonsolin

IL: LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Gavin Stone, RHP Emmet Sheehan, RHP River Ryan, RHP Kyle Hurt

Quick Thoughts:The Dodgers are expected to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie Roki Sasaki against the Cubs during the two-game Tokyo Series to open the year, and they could stick with those two atop the rotation to begin the regular season stateside. Shohei Ohtani is not expected to return to the mound until May at the earliest, at which point they will likely go with a six-man rotation. They could also do that right off the bat with Dustin May in the rotation as opposed to a long relief role.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Dustin May, RHP Bobby Miller, RHP Landon Knack, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Ben Casparius

Miami Marlins16 of 30

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Sandy Alcántara

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Sandy Alcántara
2. LHP Ryan Weathers
3. RHP Edward Cabrera
4. RHP Cal Quantrill
5. RHP Max Meyer

IL:RHP Eury Pérez, LHP Braxton Garrett

Quick Thoughts:With a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings over six starts, Valente Bellozo was arguably the Marlins' best starter in September, but he sits on the outside looking in with Edward Cabrera out of minor league options, Max Meyer having a strong spring and Cal Quantrill signed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Feb. 12. Ace Sandy Alcántara is the closest thing this team has to a face of the franchise as he gears up for his return from Tommy John surgery.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Valente Bellozo, RHP Connor Gillespie, LHP Patrick Monteverde

Milwaukee Brewers17 of 30

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Nestor Cortes

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Freddy Peralta
2. LHP Nestor Cortes
3. RHP Aaron Civale
4. RHP Tobias Myers
5. LHP José Quintana

IL:RHP Brandon Woodruff, LHP DL Hall, LHP Aaron Ashby, LHP Robert Gasser

Quick Thoughts:With Brandon Woodruff still working his way back from October 2023 shoulder surgery, lefties DL Hall and Aaron Ashby had a prime opportunity to win the No. 5 starter job, but now both are expected to open the year on the injured list. That paved the way for veteran José Quintana to sign a one-year, $4.25 million deal, which looks like a bargain after he went 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 170.1 innings over 31 starts.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Carlos Rodriguez, RHP Jacob Misiorowski, RHP Logan Henderson

Minnesota Twins18 of 30

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Pablo López

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Pablo López
2. RHP Joe Ryan
3. RHP Bailey Ober
4. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
5. RHP Chris Paddack

IL:RHP Matt Canterino

Quick Thoughts:The Twins are set to run it back with the same collection of starting pitchers that finished 22nd in the majors last season with a 4.36 ERA, and it was a largely quiet offseason overall with reliever Danny Coulombe, first baseman Ty France and outfielder Harrison Bader as the only notable additions. On a positive note, all five projected starters posted a FIP lower than their ERA last year, so there does appear to be ample room for positive regression.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP David Festa, RHP Zebby Matthews, RHP Louie Varland, RHP Marco Raya, RHP Huascar Ynoa

New York Mets19 of 30

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Kodai Senga

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Kodai Senga
2. LHP David Peterson
3. RHP Clay Holmes
4. RHP Tylor Megill
5. RHP Griffin Canning

IL:LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Frankie Montas, RHP Christian Scott

Quick Thoughts:It's wild that a team willing to spend $765 million on Juan Soto could not do any better than re-signing Sean Manaea, overpaying for Frankie Montas and rolling the dice on Clay Holmes transitioning to a starting role to address the starting rotation. With Manaea (oblique) and Montas (lat) both ticketed for the injured list, Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn are competing for two spots, though all three could make the Opening Day roster.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Paul Blackburn, RHP Brandon Sproat, RHP Blade Tidwell

New York Yankees20 of 30

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Max Fried

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Max Fried
2. LHP Carlos Rodón
3. RHP Clarke Schmidt
4. RHP Marcus Stroman
5. RHP Will Warren

IL:RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Luis Gil, RHP JT Brubaker

Quick Thoughts:A year ago, Luis Gil made the Opening Day roster because Gerrit Cole started the season on the injured list, and he went on to win AL Rookie of the Year. Could Will Warren follow a similar path? The 25-year-old has a 1.13 ERA and an 11-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over eight innings this spring, and he looks like the most likely in-house candidate to fill the current rotation void. If it is revealed in the coming days that Cole needs Tommy John surgery, expect an outside addition, with Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and Spencer Turnbull among the top remaining options in free agency.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Allan Winans

Philadelphia Phillies21 of 30

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Zack Wheeler

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Zack Wheeler
2. LHP Cristopher Sánchez
3. RHP Aaron Nola
4. LHP Ranger Suárez
5. LHP Jesús Luzardo

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:The Phillies acquired Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins in December, which will push Taijuan Walker and his $18 million salary to the bullpen. Swingman Joe Ross was also signed in free agency as a multi-inning option, while top prospect Andrew Painter has been turning heads since he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League and could force his way onto the staff early in the year.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Joe Ross, RHP Andrew Painter, RHP Tyler Phillips, RHP Seth Johnson

Pittsburgh Pirates22 of 30

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Paul Skenes

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Paul Skenes
2. RHP Mitch Keller
3. RHP Jared Jones
4. LHP Andrew Heaney
5. LHP Bailey Falter

IL:RHP Johan Oviedo

Quick Thoughts:The Pirates have one of the most exciting young rotations in baseball, headlined by a generational talent in 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, and there is more high-ceiling talent on the way with Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Thomas Harrington all poised to debut in 2025. In the meantime, the one-year, $5.25 million deal given to Andrew Heaney looks like one of the best bargains of the winter on the starting pitching market.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Bubba Chandler, RHP Mike Burrows, RHP Braxton Ashcraft, RHP Thomas Harrington

San Diego Padres23 of 30

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Dylan Cease

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Dylan Cease
2. RHP Michael King
3. RHP Yu Darvish
4. RHP Nick Pivetta
5. LHP Kyle Hart

IL:RHP Joe Musgrove

Quick Thoughts:The Padres signed Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million deal in February, making him the final player who received a qualifying offer to sign a new contract. That leaves knuckleballer Matt Waldron and KBO returnee Kyle Hart as the top options to round up the staff. Hart, 32, won the KBO equivalent of the Cy Young last year after going 13-3 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182 strikeouts in 157 innings for the NC Dinos. Both pitchers have minor league options remaining.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Matt Waldron, RHP Randy Vásquez, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Ryan Bergert

San Francisco Giants24 of 30

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Logan Webb

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Logan Webb
2. LHP Robbie Ray
3. RHP Justin Verlander
4. RHP Jordan Hicks
5. LHP Kyle Harrison

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:The Giants essentially replaced Blake Snell with Justin Verlander and a healthy Robbie Ray, and time will tell if that is a suitable approach to rebuilding the starting staff. Left-hander Kyle Harrison is capable of another step forward after posting a 4.56 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 118 strikeouts in 124.1 innings as a rookie last season.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Keaton Winn, RHP Landen Roupp, RHP Hayden Birdsong, LHP Joey Lucchesi

Seattle Mariners25 of 30

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Logan Gilbert

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Logan Gilbert
2. RHP Luis Castillo
3. RHP Bryce Miller
4. RHP Bryan Woo
5. RHP Emerson Hancock

IL:RHP George Kirby

Quick Thoughts:The Mariners had the best starting rotation in baseball last year, and all five guys from that group return, though George Kirby (shoulder) is expected to open the year on the injured list. Right-hander Emerson Hancock was the only pitcher outside the top five guys to start multiple games in 2024, and he will fill the void until Kirby returns. They are sorely lacking in viable depth beyond Emerson, so that could be trouble should the injury bug strike again early in the year.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Logan Evans

St. Louis Cardinals26 of 30

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Sonny Gray

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Sonny Gray
2. RHP Erick Fedde
3. RHP Miles Mikolas
4. RHP Andre Pallante
5. LHP Steven Matz

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:The Cardinals failed in their efforts to get younger this offseason, and they will likely open the season with Sonny Gray (35 years old), Erick Fedde (32), Miles Mikolas (36) and Steven Matz (33) penciled into the starting rotation. Eventually they figure to sell off some of those veteran pieces, which will open the door for top prospects Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence to be among the prospects who debut in 2025.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Michael McGreevy, RHP Gordon Graceffo, RHP Roddery Munoz, LHP Quinn Mathews

Tampa Bay Rays27 of 30

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Shane McClanahan

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Shane McClanahan
2. RHP Taj Bradley
3. RHP Ryan Pepiot
4. RHP Zack Littell
5. RHP Shane Baz
6. RHP Drew Rasmussen

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:There's a good chance all six of the above projected starters, along with Alex Faedo and Mason Montgomery will all make the Opening Day roster as the Rays will again be creative in how they deploy their pitching staff and chew through innings. Towering 6'7" right-hander Joe Boyle averaged 97.7 mph with his fastball last year and regularly touched triple digits, and it will be interesting to see what the Rays can do for his development after he was acquired in the deal that sent Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Alex Faedo, LHP Mason Montgomery, RHP Joe Boyle

Texas Rangers28 of 30

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Jacob deGrom

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Jacob deGrom
2. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
3. RHP Jon Gray
4. RHP Tyler Mahle
5. RHP Cody Bradford

IL:None

Quick Thoughts:Former Vanderbilt teammates Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are the leading candidates to push Cody Bradford for what appears to be the only open spot on the Rangers staff. There were some rumblings of potentially using Jon Gray in the closer's role, but he remains projected for a spot in the rotation for now. Veteran Adrian Houser (2.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 8.0 IP) is having a strong spring as a non-roster invitee and could force his way onto the roster.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Kumar Rocker, RHP Jack Leiter, RHP Dane Dunning, RHP Adrian Houser, RHP Emiliano Teodo

Toronto Blue Jays29 of 30

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Max Scherzer

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Kevin Gausman
2. RHP José Berríos
3. RHP Chris Bassitt
4. RHP Max Scherzer
5. RHP Bowden Francis

IL:RHP Alek Manoah

Quick Thoughts:With Max Scherzer signed to a one-year, $15.5 million deal to fill the void created when Yusei Kikuchi was traded at the deadline last year, the Blue Jays rotation appears to be set heading into the season. Yariel Rodríguez will be the next man up after posting a 4.47 ERA in 86.2 innings over 21 starts, while veteran swingman Ryan Yarbrough will provide further depth if he makes the roster on a minor league deal.

Other Internal Candidates:RHP Yariel Rodríguez, RHP Jake Bloss, LHP Ryan Yarbrough, LHP Eric Lauer

Washington Nationals30 of 30

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MacKenzie Gore

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP MacKenzie Gore
2. RHP Jake Irvin
3. RHP Trevor Williams
4. LHP Mitchell Parker
5. RHP Michael Soroka

IL:RHP Josiah Gray

Quick Thoughts:With an exciting young offensive core in place, it's a bit surprising the Nationals did not prioritize adding a proven veteran to their young rotation this offseason. They did re-sign Trevor Williams and took a buy-low flier on Michael Soroka with a one-year, $9 million deal, and a healthy Cade Cavalli has a chance to be an X-factor now that the former top prospect and No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 draft is finally healthy.

Other Internal Candidates:LHP DJ Herz, LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara, RHP Cade Cavalli, RHP Joan Adon, RHP Jackson Rutledge