MLB Player News

Pepiot tossed 3.2 innings in an exhibition game against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters.

Pepiot was announced as the winner of the battle for the Dodgers' fifth starter spot Friday, and this poor outing isn't likely to affect that decision. Still, it wasn't a good way for the rookie right-hander to end the spring, as he put too many hitters on base and served up a pair of solo homers. Pepiot is expected to start Los Angeles' fifth game of the regular season, but he may not remain in the rotation once Tony Gonsolin (ankle) returns to action.

Ashby (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby is likely to miss the first six weeks of the regular season while recovering from the left shoulder injury, and he has yet to return to throwing bullpens after being diagnosed with a partial tear and impingement of his labrum. The southpaw could make starts for the Brewers upon his return, but Milwaukee might ease the 24-year-old back into action.

Wainwright (groin) has played catch from 120 feet as part of his throwing program, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals are still formulating a plan for Wainwright to get back to other baseball activities as he works his way back from a groin strain. A rough initial timetable called for him to miss several weeks, so he might be absent for most, if not all, of April.

Cobb will start the Giants' second game of the season Saturday versus the Yankees, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Cobb has been battling some knee discomfort lately, but he threw four innings in a minor-league game Monday, clearing the way for him to take his first turn of the regular season. Given the difficult matchup and probably a relatively limited workload for Cobb, fantasy managers might want to consider benching him this weekend.

Stripling will make his first start of the regular season Sunday against the Yankees, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Logan Webb is getting the Opening Day nod for the Giants on Thursday and then it'll be Alex Cobb on Saturday before Stripling wraps up the three-game set against New York in Sunday's series finale. Stripling, 33, signed a two-year, $25 million contract with San Francisco in December after working to a sharp 3.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 111:20 K:BB over 134.1 innings with the Blue Jays in 2022.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Wednesday that Brubaker will open the season on the 15-day injured list while the right-hander recovers from elbow inflammation, Dejan Kovacevic of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Look for the Pirates to make the transaction official shortly before Thursday's season opener in Cincinnati. Shelton didn't offer up a timeline for Brubaker's return, and until he's cleared to resume throwing again, the Pirates likely won't provide a target date for the 29-year-old to make his 2023 debut. Johan Oviedo is expected to take Brubaker's spot in the Bucs' season-opening rotation.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Houser (groin) will open the season on the 15-day injured list and is expected to miss about three weeks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser suffered the right groin injury in Saturday's outing versus Oakland. The right-hander, who regressed with a 4.73 ERA as a starter last season, could see time as both a starter and reliever once off the injured list.

Feltner won a spot in the Rockies' season-opening rotation and will start the team's fifth game of the season Monday in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Feltner made 21 starts for the Rockies over the past two seasons, but he'll be included in the season-opening rotation for the first time despite turning in a rough showing in the Cactus League (9.92 ERA, 2.20 WHIP, 10:10 K:BB in 16.1 innings). He built up to 85 pitches in his final spring outing Monday and shouldn't face any major workload restrictions in his first start of the regular season, but Feltner's recent form won't make him a comfortable streaming option while he faces off against what projects to be a strong Dodgers lineup.

Mejia signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Wednesday.

Mejia, 26, began last season at Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks organization and finished it in the Mexican l League. He'll provide the Mets with some veteran depth at Triple-A Syracuse.

Nelson allowed one run on four hits while striking out five over 5.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against Cleveland.

Nelson made steady improvement over the course of the spring, which eventually earned him the No. 5 starter job over Drey Jameson, Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt. The right-hander is ticketed to make his first regular-season start Monday, April 3, on the road against the Padres.