MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Phillips (shoulder) being ready for Opening Day is in doubt, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Phillips' shoulder problems date back to last year's postseason, as a torn rotator cuff prevented him from playing in the World Series. He's gotten back to throwing off a mound since the start of spring training, but he has already been ruled out for Los Angeles' two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo.

Sims will throw a live batting practice session Sunday, his first one since signing with the Nationals on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The veteran right-hander is a little behind the Nats' other relief arms after signing late, but his availability for Opening Day isn't in jeopardy. Sims is coming off a bumpy 2024 split between Boston and Cincinnati, but he posted a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 72:39 K:BB over 61 innings for the Reds in 2023, and he figures to be in the high-leverage mix for a Washington squad with a very unsettled bullpen picture.

Imaging revealed Saturday that Bukauskas has a significant right lat injury, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bukauskas missed much of last season due to triceps and shoulder injuries, and his 2025 campaign is already off to a similar start. The right-hander has yet to decide between undergoing surgery to address the issue or rehab, and his return timeline will be unknown until he makes a decision.

Burr has been managing shoulder tendinitis and "backed off" throwing for a few days, though he's playing catch Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Burr may be able to build back up quickly and doesn't seem to be at risk of missing time to start the regular season. The veteran reliever is slated for a middle-relief role in Toronto's bullpen for the coming campaign after posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB over 32.2 innings in 34 games during the 2024 season.

Hoeing is working through shoulder soreness and has not yet pitched in camp this spring, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres remain hopeful that Hoeing can start the season on time despite the early setback. Hoeing enjoyed a breakout campaign last year between Miami and San Diego, posting a sparkling 2.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 53.2 regular-season innings, though his expected role as the long man in the bullpen is not the most fantasy friendly.

Soriano (arm) is scheduled to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Soriano ended last season on the injured list with arm issues, which prompted an MRI on his elbow and shoulder in September. The testing came back clean, and Soriano's inclusion in the spring rotation suggests he's back to full strength. If he makes it through camp unscathed, Soriano will likely be part of the Angels' starting rotation to begin the 2025 regular season after he put up a 3.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 113 innings last year.

Sisk is dealing with an illness that has been going around the Royals' clubhouse, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Sisk was originally expected to pitch in the Royals' Cactus League game versus the Rangers on Friday, but his illness kept him out of action. The 27-year-old southpaw was added to the 40-man roster in November after posting a 1.56 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 57.2 innings at Triple-A Omaha, and he'll make his spring debut once he's feeling better.

Phillips (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It will be his first this spring, as Phillips is still working his way back from a right shoulder injury that kept him out of last year's World Series. While he has already been ruled out for the Dodgers' two-game series in Tokyo versus the Cubs on March 18-19, it's not clear whether he might have a chance to be ready for the team's domestic opener March 27.

Holmes will be on the mound for the Mets' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Astros, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't started a big-league game since 2018, making 195 relief appearances over the last three seasons while serving primarily as a closer for the Yankees, but Holmes is attempting to convert to the rotation this season after signing a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets in December. It's not clear what kind of workload he'll handle in his spring debut, but Holmes projects to slot third in the Mets' rotation to begin the campaign behind Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea.

Marsh (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Marsh first experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and has been brought along slowly early in camp. Returning to mound work Friday offers him time to ramp up ahead of Opening Day, although he probably can't afford any setbacks. Marsh is competing for the final spot in the Royals' rotation.