MLB Player News

Moreta underwent surgery on his right UCL on Thursday and will be out 14-to-16 months, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Moreta landed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday after damaging his UCL earlier this spring. He logged a 3.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 58 innings last year, but he won't be able to follow up his solid season until midway through the 2025 campaign.

Reid-Foley (arm) pitched in a minor-league spring training game Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reid-Foley has missed some time this spring due to arm fatigue, but he threw a bullpen session Tuesday and returned to game action Thursday, striking out multiple batters. The Mets will likely try to get Reid-Foley into one of their final Grapefruit League games, and the 28-year-old righty should be able to begin the season in New York's bullpen.

Martin (groin) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Orioles, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Martin has been working his way back from an early-March groin injury. While this will be his first official spring appearance, he began facing hitters a week ago and recently appeared in a minor-league game. Martin is expected to be ready for Opening Day, barring setbacks.

Jansen (back) is scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Jansen has had to be scratched from each of his last two scheduled appearances due to lower-back stiffness, so Thursday's outing should be considered tentative. The veteran closer has been limited to just one outing this spring, having previous dealt with a lat issue. Jansen hopes to ramp up in time for Opening Day, but it will be close.

The Rockies optioned Justice to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Justice was in the race to win a spot in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen, but he will instead begin the year in the minors after giving up five earned runs in eight spring innings. Justice was quickly promoted through the Rockies' farm system and into the majors last season after starting the year in High-A ball. His performance steadily declined as he advanced to higher levels, so a demotion to Triple-A could allow Justice to get his feet back underneath him.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Taylor is currently sidelined by left biceps soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

He's receiving treatment and the Royals are still determining what the next steps will be for the left-hander. Taylor has missed much of the last two seasons due to back and shoulder woes. He had been in the mix for an Opening Day bullpen spot, but his status is now cloudy.

Stephenson (shoulder) is scheduled to play catch Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson has been battling shoulder soreness since the beginning of camp, and he's missed all of the Angels' Cactus League games as a result. Considering Stephenson has yet to progress to facing hitters with just a week remaining before Opening Day, it is appearing increasingly likely that the right-hander begins the season on the injured list.

King (1-0) gave up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings in a win over the Dodgers on Thursday in Game 2 of the Seoul Series.

King picked up the victory and racked up a healthy strikeout total in his first regular-season outing as a Padre, but the appearance wasn't smooth for the ex-Yankee. He made it through his first frame without giving up a run despite yielding a pair of hits, but Mookie Betts tagged the right-hander for a two-run homer in the fifth inning and drew a walk that led to another run on King's ledger in the seventh. Despite entering in the fourth frame, King ended up with an early-season starter's workload (75 pitches), and he's fully expected to hold down a rotation role moving forward. His work in relief Thursday was likely a one-off consequence of the Padres' next regular-season contest being one week away.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Assad will begin the season in the rotation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Jameson Taillon's back injury opened up another spot in the rotation and Assad has won it over Drew Smyly. The right-hander didn't pitch well this spring but has earned the shot with some fine work in a swingman role for the Cubs over the last two seasons with a 3.06 ERA.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Marsh has won the final spot in the rotation, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Jordan Lyles had the incumbency and the contract, but he was hurt and out-pitched by Marsh this spring, so he'll head to the bullpen. Marsh posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 14 innings during Cactus League play to earn the rotation slot. The 25-year-old has displayed swing-and-miss stuff throughout his pro career, including during his time with Kansas City last season when he fanned 85 over 74.1 frames while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. Marsh's control is a problem, though, so he'll need to tighten that up before fantasy managers can put a ton of trust in him.