MLB Player News

Castillo has been named the Mariners' Opening Day starter, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Robbie Ray was another good candidate, but Castillo gets the nod. The right-hander will take the ball March 30 at home against the Guardians and Shane Bieber.

Bubic could join the Royals' rotation following an injury to Daniel Lynch (shoulder), Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch could potentially be sidelined for multiple weeks with a strained pitching shoulder. Bubic was dreadful for the Royals last season, holding a 5.58 ERA over 129 innings. The left-hander isn't someone fantasy managers want to be invested in.

Lynch is expected to land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch suffered the injury during the Royals' Cactus League game against the Padres on Thursday. He will be shut down for 7-10 days before being re-evaluated. The injury opens up a spot in Kansas City's rotation, with Kris Bubic being the most likely candidate to fill it.

Valdez will start Opening Day versus the White Sox on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Valdez will toe the rubber for the Astros' season opener as they head to Chicago for the first weekend of the year. The left-hander skipped the WBC after he came to an agreement with Houston to do so and in turn, that likely made him the top choice to start Thursday. Valdez produced an impressive 2.82 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 201.1 innings in 31 starts last season, and he could step right into the Astros' ace role with Justin Verlander now a member of the Mets.

Rodriguez will start for the Tigers on Opening Day versus the Rays, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez will be looking to shake off a 2022 campaign which saw him limited to just 17 starts because of injury and personal issues. The left-hander has been excellent this spring, spinning 13 scoreless innings with a 15:2 K:BB.

Cease will start Thursday's Opening Day contest versus the Astros.

Cease will be making the first Opening Day start of his career. When asked about the possibility of doing so last week he said, "it would definitely be special. It would be an honor". Speaking of special, Cease will look to repeat his success from 2022 after he produced a 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 11.1 K/9 last season.

Muller has been named the Athletics' Opening Day starter for their March 30 matchup against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It wasn't even a sure thing Muller was locked into a rotation spot prior to this announcement, but the A's don't exactly have any good options for the assignment. The left-hander has been hit and miss this spring, posting a 5.65 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings of work. Muller has some fantasy potential but should probably be viewed as a streaming option initially.

Manoah will start for the Blue Jays on Opening Day in St. Louis, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kevin Gausman also would've been a fine choice, but the Jays will go with their young workhorse. Manoah had a fantastic first full season in the majors in 2022, holding a 2.24 ERA over 31 outings.

Lopez will draw the start for the Twins on Opening Day versus the Royals.

Lopez will make his first career Opening Day start after getting traded to the Twins this past offseason. The right-hander has some of the best off-speed stuff in the league and posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 174 punchouts over 180 innings in 32 starts for the Marlins in 2022.

DeGrom has been named the Rangers' Opening Day starter March 30 against the Phillies, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The veteran righty isn't going to be fully stretched out after dealing with a side issue for much of this spring, and deGrom will be limited to around 75-80 pitches against Philadelphia. He's made just one official Cactus League start but should be in line for one more tune-up Saturday.