MLB Player News

Gray (hamstring) has progressed to throwing from 120 feet and participating in agility drills, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Manager Oliver Marmol said there's a chance Gray could begin throwing bullpen sessions next week if Gray's recovery goes well over the weekend. The 34-year-old righty still isn't expected to start for the Cardinals on Opening Day, but it is appearing increasingly likely that Gray's early season absence will be a brief one.

Hendricks, who allowed three runs over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks on Friday, now has a 7.56 ERA this spring.

Hendricks has made three short appearances so far in camp and has allowed runs each time. It's a small sample size of only 8.1 total innings, so alarm bells don't need to go off yet. However, fantasy managers may want to see the veteran righty get going a bit before the regular season to feel better about his prospects early in the year. Hendricks at least looks healthier this spring compared to last, when he had his throwing routine bumped back due to his recovery from a capsular tear in 2022.

Falter is in competition for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation to begin the season, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Falter is among several candidates vying for the role. He's allowed 12 baserunners across six innings of work in Grapefruit League action, though his 6:1 K:BB suggests perhaps he's gotten unlucky. The Pirates would likely prefer that Luis Ortiz or Jared Jones force their way into the rotation, and both have had impressive spring performances to this point. That could push Falter into a long relief role, as he has no minor-league options remaining.

Kelly struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings in Friday's start against the Cubs.

Kelly was making his first Cactus League appearance this spring. He's coming off a career-high 201.1 innings in 2023, including the postseason, so the Diamondbacks held him back for a bit to begin camp. The right-hander will get in at least another three spring outings, before he's expected to start the second game of the regular season, Mar. 29, at home against Colorado.

The Pirates optioned Burrows (elbow) to the minor leagues Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Burrows had his 2023 season cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery in late April. The right-hander will start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way up to the majors.

Waldrep was reassigned to minor-league camp by Atlanta on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Waldrep had an impressive spring debut March 3, when he pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The 24th overall pick in the 2023 Draft could make his major-league debut this season if he pitches well in the minors.

Kloffenstein was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Kloffenstein earned a spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster after registering an impressive 3.16 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB over 128 innings in 2023 between Double-A and Triple-A. If Kloffenstein is effective with Memphis early in the season, he could see some time in the majors in 2024.

Teng (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Teng is working his way back from a left oblique strain suffered early in camp. The 25-year-old is pegged to open the season in Triple-A Sacramento's rotation.

Cobb (hip) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb continues to make good progress from last October's left hip surgery and is now expected back much sooner than initially anticipated. The Giants have not yet offered a clear timeline for Cobb's season debut, but president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi did say last weekend that the righty could be back "relatively soon into the year."

Walker (knee) will see his first Grapefruit League action of the spring Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Walker was away from the Phillies early on in camp for personal reasons and has dealt with a sore right knee over the past week. However, he got through his last bullpen session with no problems and has been cleared for his first spring start. He should still have enough time to ramp up prior to Opening Day.