MLB Player News

Skubal allowed two runs on six hits across five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

This was the longest spring start so far for Skubal, who appears to be ready for the regular season. To no one's surprise, the lefty has been sharp during the exhibition slate, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 13.1 Grapefruit League innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner may make one more spring appearance before starting Detroit's season opener March 27, on the road against the Dodgers.

Manager Joe Espada announced Sunday that Valdez will start Opening Day against the Mets on March 27, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After posting a career-best 2.91 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB across 176.1 regular-season innings last season, it was only a matter of time before Espada named Valdez as Houston's Opening Day starter. The left-hander has focused on the movement of his pitches during spring training and overall has pitched well with a 2.53 ERA across 10.2 innings.

Scherzer (thumb) will throw in a minor-league game early this week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Orioles due to right thumb soreness. An MRI came back negative, and he remains on track to be ready for Opening Day. Across three spring outings, Scherzer has allowed two runs on three hits while striking out 14 over nine innings.

McKenzie allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.

McKenzie gave up a lot of loud contact, including two home runs, and did nothing to enhance his bid for the final spot in the rotation during his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander has allowed 10 runs (8.18 ERA) on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11 spring innings. The one thing going for McKenzie is that he's out of minor-league options. Logan Allen (1.88 ERA, 14.1 spring innings) and Joey Cantillo (7.45, 9.2 IP) are also in the mix for the final rotation spot, but each has options remaining.

Rasmussen allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking none across four innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

This marked Rasmussen's second official spring start, though he completed three innings in a live batting practice session March 9. In addition to impressively striking out six batters, this was something of a milestone for Rasmussen as he hadn't completed more than two innings since May of 2023. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rasmussen is operating as a starter, but it remains unclear how the Rays will sort out their starting rotation to begin the season.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's Cactus League game against San Diego after giving up two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

After throwing three scoreless innings Saturday, Castillo watched Gavin Sheets go deep for one run and Connor Joe hit a double to plate another in the fourth frame. While Castillo has struggled with the long ball this spring, allowing three homers across 12.2 innings, he encouragingly hasn't yielded greater than two runs in any of his four Cactus League starts. The 32-year-old right-hander will have the benefit of working about half of his outings in 2025 at the pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park, where Castillo boasts a 2.89 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 279 strikeouts through 233.2 innings (39 starts) since joining the Mariners in 2022.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Gray (wrist) will miss "extended time," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Early estimates have Gray sitting out roughly six weeks with a fractured right wrist, though nothing is set in stone at this point. While he's out, Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter should both have a decent shot at making the Rangers' Opening Day rotation.

The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Nikhazy wasn't very effective this spring, giving up seven earned runs on five hits and six walks, though he impressively struck out 12 batters in 8.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track with Columbus, and he could be a candidate to debut at some point this year after posting a 2.87 ERA in Triple-A last season.

Gilbert will start Opening Day, March 27 against the Athletics.

Gilbert hasn't been as effective this spring compared to his usual self, giving up four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings. However, he's been the epitome of consistency on the mound for Seattle, making at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons and finishing last season with career highs in innings (208.2) and strikeouts (220). He'll have a chance to ease into the new season by making his first start against an Athletics squad that finished 2024 with a .694 OPS (20th in MLB).

Festa gave up six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in Friday's loss to Baltimore. He has an 11.91 ERA and 11:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this spring.

Festa is competing with Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson and Zebby Matthews for the final two spots in the rotation. He's been performing the worst of the four in spring training and looks set to begin the season at Triple-A at this point.