MLB Player News

Gray gave up two hits over two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It was an impressive start to the exhibition schedule for Gray, who was facing a New York lineup anchored by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor along with a handful of top prospects like Luisangel Acuna and Drew Gilbert. Gray still needs to demonstrate improved control and command to become a reliable fantasy asset, so the lack of walks Monday might be more important for his 2024 outlook than the Ks.

Buehler (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday for the first time this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers are bringing Buehler along carefully this spring after he missed virtually the entire 2023 season following Tommy John surgery. He is not expected to make any Cactus League appearances and instead will stay behind at extended spring training for the start of the regular season. The Dodgers have been vague about a timetable for Buehler's season debut, but it doesn't seem likely to happen before the end of April.

Corbin is scheduled to make his second Grapefruit League start Thursday versus the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Corbin struck out four of the nine batters he faced Saturday in the Nationals' spring opener against the Astros, but he was touched up for two earned runs on three hits (two singles, one triple) and also conceded a stolen base. At this stage of Corbin's career, spring training is more about building innings than turning in quality results, but even if the 34-year-old lefty is lights out in his subsequent Grapefruit League outings, fantasy players should have some degree of skepticism about him carrying over any success into the regular season. Over each of his last three campaigns in Washington, Corbin has taken at least 31 starts in every season, but he hasn't turned in an ERA better than 5.20 or a WHIP lower than 1.47 and has seen his strikeout percentage decline in each successive year.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Rutledge will start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge will be taking the hill on three days' rest after he made his spring debut in relief Saturday in the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. He worked two scoreless frames versus Houston, striking out two of the eight batters he faced while walking one and allowing a base hit. According to Zuckerman, team officials reportedly came away impressed from Rutledge's debut appearance, and the young right-hander could build a stronger claim for a spot in Washington's Opening Day rotation if he's able to to carry that momentum into Wednesday. Rutledge will need a stellar spring to cement a starting role with Washington after he was touched up for 15 earned runs on 24 hits and six walks over 20 innings in his first taste of the big leagues late last season.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that Luzardo will be the club's Opening Day starter March 28 versus the Pirates, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Sandy Alcantara (elbow) slated to miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign, Luzardo was the obvious choice to take the ball Opening Day. The left-hander collected a 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 208:55 K:BB across 178.2 innings covering 32 starts in 2023. He should remain a fantasy standout for the Marlins in 2024.

Lowder allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning of relief in Monday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee.

Lowder, the Reds' first-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, was making his first career spring start. He pitched the seventh inning, with the lone hit he allowed a broken-bat single, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The right-hander threw 13 pitches (10 strikes), with both of his punchouts coming on called third strikes.

Abbott struck out one over two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against Seattle.

Abbott tossed two perfect innings and was done after 22 pitches. The right-hander was so efficient that he needed additional pitches in the bullpen following his departure. Of note, Abbott's fastball consistently hit 94 mph (and touched 95), a development he said has never come this early in spring, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Abbott's main focus for 2024 is being more consistent with his curveball and changeup and getting deeper into games. He walked 3.6 batters per nine innings in 2023, so landing those two pitches in the zone should help extend outings. The 24-year-old also worked on conditioning and weight training, which he hopes will keep him stronger throughout the season. Abbott fell off in the second half last year, posting a 6.42 ERA over his final 11 starts.

Rodriguez will make his spring debut against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Rodriguez had been scheduled to start the Diamondbacks' opener last Friday, but the team changed plans and had the left-hander throw live batting practice on the back fields. He's expected to serve as the No. 3 starter once the regular season begins.

Gallen will not start Friday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Gallen had been scheduled to make his spring debut March 1, but the Diamondbacks will opt to have the right-hander throw a simulated game on the back fields instead of making the trip west to Goodyear. There's no word yet on who will slot into Gallen's place for a spot start Friday.

Butto gave up three hits over two scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The 25-year-old right-hander got his spring off to a good start as he battles for an Opening Day spot with the Mets. Butto looked good at the end of last season in the majors, posting a 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB over five starts and 27.1 innings, but his 5.93 ERA and 1.63 WHIP at Triple-A Syracuse in a larger sample (91 innings) are concerning. He's battling with Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and others in camp for one of the team's open rotation jobs.