MLB Rumors: 3 Teams Interested In Starting Pitcher Coming Off Torn Achilles

Griffin Canning’s season ended in the worst way possible, but the league clearly noticed what he was doing before the injury. 

After a make-good deal with the New York Mets turned into a legit early-season success story, Canning is now getting real traction in free agency even with a torn Achilles cutting his year short.

Griffin Canning interest growing after injury setback

The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets are both linked to Canning, with the Chicago White Sox also in the mix. 

In 16 starts last season, the 29-year-old right-hander went 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA over 76.1 innings, and that line looks even better when you remember how dominant his opening run was. 

Free agent right-hander Griffin Canning threw for teams at UCLA on Friday. Last June, a ruptured left Achilles ended what was shaping up as a solid season (3.77 ERA, 16 starts). He is up to 93 mph.

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) February 8, 2026

Through his first nine starts, Canning carried a 2.47 ERA, paired it with a 23.2% strikeout rate, an 8.6% walk rate, and a loud 55.2% ground ball rate, which was a major shift for a pitcher who used to live more in the fly ball world with the Los Angeles Angels. 

Mets, Cardinals, and White Sox see a buy low rotation play

Canning’s control wobbled in mid May, then he never really got the chance to settle back in before the Achilles went. 

The injury happened during a start against the Atlanta Braves on a follow-through that looked routine, and it cost him the rest of the season. 

Still, evaluators have something recent to hang onto because he has already thrown for teams at UCLA and reportedly touched 93 mph, with expectations he could be ready around Opening Day. 

For the Mets, it is easy to sell a reunion because their staff helped tweak his pitch mix and shapes, and he gave them real innings when injuries opened the door early in the year.

The Mets should make a no-risk move and re-sign Griffin Canning.

A minor league deal where the Mets can stash him in AAA to complete his rehab and become a lottery ticket for the pitching staff at some point in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Gdwy1seB6e

— TonyMetro (@TonyMetroMLB) February 6, 2026

St. Louis is looking for more stability while its younger arms develop, and a one-year deal could turn Canning into a midseason trade chip if he starts hot again. 

Chicago can sell him on opportunity and innings, and any team signing him is betting that the early 2025 version is closer to real than the brief rough patch that came right before the injury.

Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images