Another round of dominoes has fallen in free agency since the last time we updated our Opening Day starting rotation predictions.

Among the more notable moves, Roki Sasaki made his decision and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jack Flaherty inked a two-year, $35 million deal to rejoin the Detroit Tigers and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The list of available starters has been picked relatively clean with spring training now a matter of days away, but for teams still looking to add to their stable of starters, the options include Nick Pivetta, Kyle Gibson, José Quintana, Lance Lynn, Andrew Heaney and Spencer Turnbull.

We've assigned those top remaining free agents to logical landing spots on the way to predicting each MLB team's Opening Day starting rotation for the 2025 season, while also providing a look at each team's depth and the notable pitchers that could start the year on the injured list.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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: The D-backs have a $22.5 million conundrum named Jordan Montgomery that they will need to figure out before the start of the season. Will he win a rotation spot? Will he serve as an expensive long reliever? Will they find a taker on the trade market once spring training is underway?

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

Athletics

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: LHP Ken Waldichuk

Quick Thoughts: It might not be Zito-Hudson-Mulder, but Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and JP Sears have a chance to be the Athletics' best trio of starters in years. After finishing 26th in the majors with a 4.76 ERA from their rotation in 2024, this should be an improved group top-to-bottom.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP J.T. Ginn, RHP Osvaldo Bido, LHP Hogan Harris, RHP Gunnar Hoglund, LHP Jacob Lopez

Atlanta Braves

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Spencer Strider

Quick Thoughts: The Braves have enough MLB-ready young arms to navigate the first few months of the season until Spencer Strider returns without an outside addition, but veteran Lance Lynn could be a great bridge to his return. The 37-year-old has been generating interest as a reliever this winter, and he could transition to that role later in the year after chewing up some innings in April and May.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP Bryce Elder, RHP Ian Anderson, RHP Hurston Waldrep, RHP Davis Daniel, LHP Dylan Dodd

Baltimore Orioles

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Zach Eflin
2. RHP Grayson Rodriguez
3. RHP Charlie Morton
4. RHP Dean Kremer
5. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

IL: RHP Kyle Bradish, RHP Tyler Wells

Quick Thoughts: The O's settled for adding 41-year-old Charlie Morton and 35-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano to replace Corbin Burnes in the rotation, though a full season of Zach Eflin will also be a factor. If Trevor Rogers returns to useful form, he could be a major X-factor in the middle of the staff.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Albert Suárez, LHP Trevor Rogers, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Chayce McDermott

Boston Red Sox

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Tanner Houck
2. LHP Garrett Crochet
3. RHP Walker Buehler
4. RHP Brayan Bello
5. RHP Kutter Crawford

IL: RHP Lucas Giolito, LHP Patrick Sandoval

Quick Thoughts: Last year's top free agency pickup Lucas Giolito is hoping to be ready for Opening Day, but the Red Sox might choose not to push things too aggressively this spring less than a year removed from March 12 elbow surgery. Once he returns, this has a chance to be a formidable staff if everyone pitches up to their potential.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Quinn Priester, RHP Cooper Criswell, RHP Richard Fitts

Chicago Cubs

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: Colin Rea vs. Javier Assad could be an interesting position battle to watch this spring, but the Cubs could also opt to go with a six-man rotation and include both on the starting staff to start the year. Young arms like Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks and Caleb Kilian will need to pitch their way into a starting role, or they could be used as multi-inning relievers.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Javier Assad, RHP Ben Brown, LHP Jordan Wicks, RHP Cody Poteet, RHP Caleb Kilian, RHP Brad Keller

Chicago White Sox

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP José Quintana
2. LHP Martín Pérez
3. RHP Jonathan Cannon
4. RHP Bryse Wilson
5. RHP Drew Thorpe

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: Despite going 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 170.1 innings over 31 starts with the Mets last season, José Quintana remains unsigned. The 36-year-old spent the first five-and-a-half seasons of his career with the White Sox, and he could return there to close out what has been a productive MLB career.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Davis Martin, RHP Sean Burke, RHP Jairo Iriarte, RHP Nick Nastrini, LHP Ky Bush, LHP Jake Eder

Cincinnati Reds

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: By acquiring Brady Singer in the deal that sent Jonathan India to the Royals and bringing back Nick Martinez when he accepted a qualifying offer, the Reds have their deepest rotation in years. Can top prospect Rhett Lowder force his way into the picture after logging a 1.17 ERA in 30.2 innings over six starts down the stretch last year?

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

Cleveland Guardians

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

Quick Thoughts: The Guardians were left trying to cobble together a competitive rotation behind Tanner Bibee last October, turning to veterans Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb to start playoff games. Despite those issues, they did little to address the rotation this winter outside of adding Luis L. Ortiz from the Pirates, though they should have Shane Bieber back at some point during the first half.

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

Colorado Rockies

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: The Rockies had the worst starting pitching in baseball last season with a 5.54 ERA as a staff, and they have made no outside additions this winter. That said, Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela combined for four starts and 16.1 innings in 2024, so having them both back healthy could go a long way toward respectability.

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

Detroit Tigers

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long

Quick Thoughts: By adding Alex Cobb on a one-year, $15 million contract and bringing back Jack Flaherty on a two-year, $35 million deal, the Tigers bolstered the starting rotation without making any significant long-term financial commitments. It will be interesting to see how Jackson Jobe, who is widely regarded as the best pitching prospect in baseball, fits into the 2025 plans.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Jackson Jobe, RHP Keider Montero, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Matt Manning, RHP Ty Madden

Houston Astros

Projected Starting Rotation

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

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

Quick Thoughts: The Astros should have Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr. both back at some point during the first half of the season, so they could opt to go with newcomer Hayden Wesneski and prospect Colton Gordon battle for the No. 5 starter job this spring. However, if veteran innings eater Kyle Gibson is available on a reasonable one-year contract, he could be the perfect stopgap to help keep those young arms from being overextended.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Hayden Wesneski, LHP Colton Gordon, RHP Ryan Gusto, RHP A.J. Blubaugh, RHP Miguel Ullola

Kansas City Royals

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: With Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen both re-signed and Kris Bubic transitioning back to a starting role after pitching extremely well out of the bullpen last year, the Royals rotation is shaping up to be a strength once again. Most teams don't have someone like Alec Marsh, who had a 4.53 ERA in 129 innings last year, waiting in the wings as the No. 6 starter.

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

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: Finding a landing spot for Nick Pivetta is tricky after he rejected a qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, but the Angels could use another quality starter and have the money to spend. That would give Reid Detmers more time to work through things at Triple-A, while Caden Dana and Jack Kochanowicz might also benefit from some further developmental time.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Reid Detmers, RHP Jack Kochanowicz, RHP Caden Dana, LHP Sam Aldegheri, RHP Chase Silseth, RHP Sam Bachman, RHP Dakota Hudson

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Starting Rotation

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

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

Quick Thoughts: Shohei Ohtani is expected to make his return to the mound at some point in May, so he is left off the projected starting rotation for the time being. The club will also need to make a 40-man roster move for Roki Sasaki, as he is technically a non-roster invitee as things currently stand. Expect a reunion with Clayton Kershaw if he decides not to retire, though he would go straight to the injured list as he works his way back from knee and foot surgery.

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

Miami Marlins

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Eury Pérez, LHP Braxton Garrett

Quick Thoughts: With Jesús Luzardo traded to Philadelphia, Braxton Garrett out for the year and Eury Pérez still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, what was once a deep rotation in Miami has been whittled down considerably. A healthy Sandy Alcántara could pitch his way to being the prize of the 2025 trade deadline as the organization continues to churn through talent with no end in sight to their rebuilding efforts.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Adam Mazur, RHP Connor Gillespie, LHP Patrick Monteverde

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Brandon Woodruff, LHP Robert Gasser

Quick Thoughts: After dealing with some ups and downs in his recovery from shoulder surgery last year, Brandon Woodruff is a toss-up to be ready for Opening Day. If he does start the season on the injured list, that would open the door for DL Hall and Aaron Ashby to compete for the No. 5 starter job, though both could also be valuable weapons out of the bullpen.

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

Minnesota Twins

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: None

Quick Thoughts: While Chris Paddack had a 4.99 ERA in 88.1 innings of work last season, his 4.18 FIP painted a more encouraging picture of his work, and the Twins seem content running him back as the No. 5 starter. However, the presence of up-and-comers David Festa and Zebby Matthews as depth means he could get a quick hook if he struggles in April.

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

New York Mets

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Sean Manaea
2. RHP Kodai Senga
3. RHP Frankie Montas
4. LHP David Peterson
5. RHP Clay Holmes
6. RHP Tylor Megill

IL: RHP Christian Scott

Quick Thoughts: There might be no collection of starters better built to serve as a six-man rotation than the group the Mets have assembled. Kodai Senga is used to pitching once a week in Japan, Frankie Montas has dealt with injury issues and Clay Holmes is trying to transition from closing games to starting. It also opens the door for Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and perhaps top prospect Brandon Sproat to compete for a spot.

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

New York Yankees

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Gerrit Cole
2. LHP Max Fried
3. LHP Carlos Rodón
4. RHP Clarke Schmidt
5. RHP Luis Gil

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: The only real question surrounding the Yankees rotation is whether they will find a taker for Marcus Stroman on the trade market before Opening Day. The 33-year-old is owed $18.5 million in 2025, and he logged a 4.31 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 154.2 innings last year, so they will likely need to pay down a good chunk of that salary to facilitate a deal.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Marcus Stroman, RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Will Warren, RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP JT Brubaker, RHP Owen White

Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: The Phillies still owe Taijuan Walker another $36 million over the next two years, but they don't need him in the rotation and arguably don't have a spot for him in the bullpen after Joe Ross was signed to serve as the long reliever, so his future is cloudy at best. The more exciting question is what role Andrew Painter will have on the 2025 rotation after he took home Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year honors and appears to be back on track health wise.

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

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: Another wave of exciting young pitching talent is rising the ranks in the Pittsburgh system after Paul Skenes and Jared Jones found immediate success in the majors last year. Bubba Chandler (No. 28), Thomas Harrington (No. 86) and Braxton Ashcraft (Next 50) all found a place on B/R's Top 100 prospect list, and all three could make their MLB debuts in 2025.

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

San Diego Padres

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Dylan Cease
2. RHP Michael King
3. RHP Yu Darvish
4. RHP Spencer Turnbull
5. RHP Matt Waldron

IL: RHP Joe Musgrove

Quick Thoughts: There is still a very real chance Dylan Cease will be pitching elsewhere on Opening Day, in which case the Padres would need to bring back at least one MLB-ready arm to replace him or use some of the money they saved to sign someone from the thin crop of available starters. If he does stay put, they could still explore an outside addition, though it would likely come from the bargain bin. Spencer Turnbull pitched like an All-Star last April filling in for Taijuan Walker in the Phillies rotation before he was moved to the bullpen and then missed significant time with a lat strain.

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

San Francisco Giants

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Keaton Winn

Quick Thoughts: It's hard to look at the Giants rotation as anything but downgraded from where it was a year ago after Blake Snell was replaced with an aging Justin Verlander on a one-year, $15 million deal. A step forward from Kyle Harrison in his development would go a long way, and Robbie Ray is one of the biggest X-factors in baseball in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Landen Roupp, RHP Hayden Birdsong, RHP Mason Black, LHP Joey Lucchesi

Seattle Mariners

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Logan Gilbert
2. RHP Luis Castillo
3. RHP George Kirby
4. RHP Bryce Miller
5. RHP Bryan Woo

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: The five starters listed above accounted for 149 of 162 starts for the Mariners last season, and they led the majors with a 3.38 ERA as a group. With good health, this should again be one of the best rotations in baseball, though they are somewhat lacking in experienced depth if injury does strike. Emerson Hancock had a 4.75 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 60.2 innings over 12 starts as the next man up last year.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Emerson Hancock, RHP Logan Evans

St. Louis Cardinals

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: It's not out of the question to think Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz could all be pitching elsewhere before the 2025 season is over, especially if the Cardinals fall out of the NL Central picture early in the year. That would open the door for a long list of young arms to see big league action, including top prospects Tink Hence (No. 24 on B/R 100) and Quinn Mathews (No. 37 on B/R Top 100).

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Michael McGreevy, RHP Gordon Graceffo, RHP Roddery Munoz, LHP Quinn Mathews, RHP Sem Robberse, RHP Tink Hence

Tampa Bay Rays

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: Zack Littell (29 GS), Ryan Pepiot (26 GS) and Taj Bradley (25 GS) are the only pitchers on the Tampa Bay staff who started more than 15 games last season, and they will now be joined by a healthy Shane McClanahan and full seasons of Shane Baz and Drew Rasmussen. They had to navigate a long list of pitching injuries last year, but could again be one of the best starting staffs in baseball in 2025.

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

Texas Rangers

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Jacob deGrom
2. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
3. RHP Jon Gray
4. RHP Tyler Mahle
5. RHP Kumar Rocker

IL: None

Quick Thoughts: Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle and Kumar Rocker all returned from Tommy John surgery during the second half last season, making three starts each and pitching a combined 35 innings in the majors. Now they will be counted on to hold down three spots in the Rangers rotation. The upside is huge if they all pitch to their potential, but there is also obvious risk that could put the club's depth to the test.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Cody Bradford, RHP Dane Dunning, RHP Jack Leiter, RHP Emiliano Teodo, RHP Adrian Houser

Toronto Blue Jays

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: The Blue Jays essentially replaced Yusei Kikuchi with Max Scherzer and are running back a rotation that finished 14th in the majors with a 3.95 ERA in 2024. Ace Kevin Gausman (34 years old), Chris Bassitt (35 years old) and Scherzer (40 years old) are all several years north of prime age, so there is some boom-or-bust potential with this group with Father Time lurking in the shadows.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Yariel Rodríguez, RHP Jake Bloss, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Adam Macko

Washington Nationals

Projected Starting Rotation

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

IL: RHP Josiah Gray

Quick Thoughts: The Nationals have re-signed Trevor Williams and added Michael Soroka on a buy-low deal so far this winter, but have yet to really move the needle as far as improving a shaky rotation. Left-hander Andrew Heaney is one of the better starters still available in free agency, and signing him would create some quality depth and leave Soroka to compete with DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara for the final spot in what will likely be a six-man staff.

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