MLB Player News

Mets general manager Billy Eppler said Tuesday that Quintana (rib) is not expected back until at least July, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

As confirmed by Eppler, Quintana needs surgery -- including a bone graft -- to repair the stress fracture on the left side of his rib cage. Doctors also found a lesion in that area and Quintana was sent to a tumor specialist, but a biopsy thankfully came back benign. The veteran southpaw joined the Mets on a two-year, $26 million contract over the winter after working to a sharp 2.93 ERA across 165.2 regular-season innings between the Pirates and Cardinals in 2022. David Peterson and Tylor Megill will continue their spring battle to replace Quintana in the rotation, but both could end up getting starts.

Garrett allowed five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while striking out three in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The left-hander did get stretched out to 71 pitches (44 strikes), but that was about the only positive takeaway from this outing. Garrett remains firmly in the mix for a rotation spot with the Marlins, and while his spring ERA has now ballooned to 8.68, his 7:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings shows there's little cause for alarm. However, this performance could put Garrett behind his main competition for the fifth starter role, Edward Cabrera (1.80 ERA, 4:2 K:BB through five spring innings.)

Cavalli was removed from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets with an apparent injury, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports.

Cavalli shook his right arm in discomfort after delivering a 1-1 pitch to Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the third inning. He then departed following a short chat with Nationals manager Dave Martinez and head trainer Paul Lessard. The 24-year-old had been in the running for the final spot in Washington's season-opening starting rotation but now may be facing an extended absence.

Megill gave up three hits and a walk while striking out three over four scoreless innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

With the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation up for grabs due to Jose Quintana's rib injury, Megill replaced Max Scherzer as the starter Monday so the young right-hander could face big-league hitters, and he responded by shutting down a lineup that included Jazz Chisholm, Garrett Cooper and Jorge Soler. David Peterson also remains in the mix for the open rotation job and has yet to allow a run this spring himself, but Megill's performance Monday keeps him firmly in the mix.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced Tuesday that Cobb (knee) will start the second game of the regular season, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Clearly that knee contusion that Cobb suffered Saturday in a Cactus League start against the Dodgers is not going to be a lingering issue. The veteran right-hander pitched to a 3.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 151:43 K:BB over 149.2 innings (28 starts) for San Francisco last season.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced Tuesday that Webb will start on Opening Day against the Yankees, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

An easy decision here for Kapler after Webb turned in a 2.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 163:49 K:BB over 192.1 innings (32 starts) in 2022. The 26-year-old right-hander did struggle with a back injury down the stretch, but he's been a full-go in camp since late February. He's rightly being selected as top-30 starter in most standard fantasy drafts for 2023.

Burnes threw 29 pitches over four scoreless innings in Monday's spring game. He allowed just one hit, hit a batter and posted a 5:1 K:BB in the outing.

Burnes gave up a couple earned runs in his first two exhibition outings, but he was locked in Monday, allowing just three runners to reach base. He has not officially been named the Opening Day starter for the Brewers, but expect him to be on the mound when they kick off the regular season March 30 against the Cubs.

Peterson (foot) will start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Peterson made his second and most recent appearance of the spring March 4, but after taking a comebacker off his left foot in that outing, the Mets elected to delay his re-entry into the pitching schedule out of an abundance of caution. The southpaw's foot appears to have checked out fine following his most recent throwing sessions, so he'll get back on the hill Tuesday and could build up to 3-to-4 innings. Peterson's health and availability takes on added importance after Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Monday that starter Jose Quintana (rib) is expected to be shut down for the next three months, though Puma notes that team officials are intrigued by the idea of giving right-hander Tylor Megill the first crack at replacing Quintana in the rotation.

Senga (finger) threw a bullpen session without issue Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga is nursing some right index finger tendinitis but appears to be turning the corner in his recovery. It's unclear when he might be ready to return to Grapefruit League action, but the Mets anticipate their big offseason signing to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Suarez (forearm) did some light tossing on flat ground Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The left-hander had to be pulled out of the World Baseball Classic due to some minor tightness in his left forearm, but that he's throwing again after a couple days of treatment seems like a good sign. It's not clear when Suarez might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but the Phillies are hoping he'll be ready to go on Opening Day.