MLB Player News

Ashcraft allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings in Friday's spring start against Oakland.

Ashcraft allowed runs in the first two innings then settled in before escaping a bases-loaded situation in the fifth after he walked three batters. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 5.52 ERA, 12 strikeouts and eight walks over 14.2 innings (four starts).

Henry could claim a spot in the rotation after Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) was shut down from throwing, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks confirmed Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list, which opens up a second spot in the rotation. Henry had been competing with Ryne Nelson and Bryce Jarvis for the No. 5 job, but Nelson had the clear edge on that based on spring results. Gilbert believes Arizona will keep both Henry and Nelson as starters, while Jarvis could serve as the long man in the bullpen. Henry had a few rough spring starts before throwing 3.1 scoreless innings Wednesday. The left-hander finished the Cactus League with a 6.88 ERA, 12 strikeouts and six walks over 17 innings (six appearances). It's possible he throws in one of the two games scheduled Monday or Tuesday against the Guardians after Arizona breaks camp.

Nelson allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine over five innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Nelson put the finishing touches on a promising spring. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 2.66 ERA, 26 strikeouts and seven walks over 20.1 innings (six starts). He led the competition for the final rotation spot and seems assured of one given the news that Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) will open the season on the injured list.

Steele suffered a left knee contusion during Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The southpaw was hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of Luis Matos during the second inning of Friday's contest, but it seems Steele managed to escape without any serious injuries. It remains to be seen whether he'll start as scheduled Opening Day, but a trip to the injured list appears unlikely. Steele has allowed six earned runs across 11 innings this spring while striking out 13 batters and walking two.

Steele was removed from Friday's Cactus League start versus the Giants after being hit in the left knee by a comebacker, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele stayed down on the ground for a bit after being struck by a ball off the bat of Luis Matos before eventually walking off the field with a limp. It's not clear at this point whether the southpaw will need to undergo any testing. Steele was making his final tune-up start before his scheduled Opening Day assignment March 28 against the Rangers.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that Liberatore will work out of the bullpen to begin the season, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 24-year-old was attempting to win a spot in St. Louis' season-opening rotation, but Zack Thompson will instead fill in while Sonny Gray (hamstring) is on the injured list. Liberatore started in 11 of his 22 big-league appearances last season and could work as a swingman again in 2024.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Friday that Gray (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals have kept door open for Gray to make a start during the first week of the season since he went down with a hamstring strain in early March, but the right-hander will end up requiring a trip to the injured list. The 34-year-old was scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Friday before being scratched due to a heavy forecast of rain, and that session has now been rescheduled for Saturday, per Worthy. Gray is poised to pitch three times in Florida, including Saturday, before joining the Cardinals, so he should be ready for his season debut by early April.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Sanchez has made the Opening Day roster, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sanchez is out of options but nonetheless came into camp seeming like a long shot for the Opening Day roster given that he's barely pitched the last three years because of shoulder woes. However, he looked surprisingly good in five Grapefruit League appearances, yielding just one hit and three walks while striking out four over seven scoreless innings. The Marlins are dealing with multiple injuries in their rotation, but the plan is for Sanchez to be a reliever moving forward.

Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a strained left lat, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

He suffered the injury during his last Cactus League outing Tuesday. Rodriguez will be shut down from throwing until he's asymptomatic, so there is no timeline for when he might make his season debut. Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry had been competing for the final spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation, but they now will probably both be needed to start some games.

Perez will begin the season on the 15-day injured list after being diagnosed with right elbow inflammation, Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald report.

This qualifies as good news, as Perez was cleared of any structural damage in his pitching elbow and will not require surgery. He will, however, still be sidelined for several weeks while the inflammation subsides. If there's a silver lining -- beyond the lack of structural damage -- it's that Perez's recurring fingernail issue will have more time to heal. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without the 20-year-old for at least the first month or so, until the Marlins provide a clearer timeline for his return.