MLB Player News

Ashcraft (ankle) threw a successful round of live batting practice Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft made an early exit from his last round of live BP after taking a comebacker off his right ankle, but the 25-year-old hasn't skipped a beat with his spring training throwing progression. He'll soon begin appearing in Cactus League games as he readies himself for a prominent spot in Cincinnati's starting rotation.

Wright (shoulder) was encouraged by how Friday's bullpen session went, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Wright threw 23 fastballs and wound up unintentionally surpassing the 85 mph mark he was targeting for much of the session. It was his first regular bullpen session of the spring as he works his way back from right shoulder discomfort, and the right-hander said his "arm felt as fresh as it's been in a while." While Wright wasn't ready to definitively say he'll be ready for his first regular-season rotation turn, he appears to be on track.

Marquez (hamstring) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez came into camp with a sore left hamstring, but he's been going through workouts the last several days with no issues and is now ready to test things out against hitters. The veteran right-hander will probably need another week or so before he's ready for game action.

Falter's primary competition for the Phillies' No. 5 starter spot is phenom Andrew Painter, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Falter would be the more traditional selection for the fifth starter's spot, as he has paid his dues and had some success in the rotation last season, but he obviously can't match Painter's upside. The 25-year-old southpaw had a 3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 76.2 innings as a starter last season.

Painter has a legitimate chance to win the Phillies' No. 5 starter spot in spring training, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Painter will be primarily competing with Bailey Falter for the fifth starter spot, while Cristopher Sanchez, Nick Nelson and Michael Plassmeyer are emergency depth options. Painter is arguably the No. 1 pitching prospect in the game, and his skills belie his youth, as evidenced by his 1.8 percent walk rate in 28.1 innings as a 19-year-old at Double-A. He took part in a live batting practice session earlier this week and has been bonding with veterans Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber so far in camp.

Nelson (shoulder) will start the Diamondbacks' Cactus League home opener Saturday against the Rockies, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

Drey Jameson will get the split-squad nod over at the Athletics' minor league complex. Those two are the lead candidates to claim the No. 5 spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation out of camp this spring, though word is that top prospect Brandon Pfaadt might be somewhere in that mix as well. Nelson suffered a right scapula injury toward the end of the 2022 season but is now fully healthy at the start of spring training.

Stroman will start for the Cubs in their Cactus League opener Saturday against the Giants, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Stroman will probably also get the nod on Opening Day of the regular season with Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) ticketed for an early IL stint. Stroman signed a three-year, $71 million contract with Chicago in December 2021 and went on to register a solid 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 119:36 K:BB over 138.2 innings (25 starts) in the first year of that deal.

Hamels (shoulder) is not expected to appear in any Cactus League games this spring, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Hamels did throw a successful bullpen session Thursday in Padres camp, but the plan calls for him to take it easy over the next month or so as he continues his recovery from September 2021 shoulder surgery. The veteran left-hander is slated to begin pitching in games at extended spring training soon after camp breaks. He inked a minor-league contract with San Diego on Feb. 16.

Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed Wednesday that he views Wood as a starter for 2023, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wood is among seven potential starters in Giants camp, and there was some doubt to his role after he finished last year with a 5.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 130.2 innings. He ended the season with a shoulder injury, but he was deemed healthy at the start of camp and should be able to build up as normal during spring training. Wood likely slots in toward the back of the Giants' rotation, be it a five- or six-man group at any point in the season.

Gore (elbow) will start for the Nationals in their Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Cardinals, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Then it'll be Trevor Williams and Josiah Gray handling the two split-squad games on Sunday, followed by Patrick Corbin versus the Cardinals on Tuesday. Gore did not wind up pitching for the Nationals last season after coming over in the Juan Soto trade, but he seems to be past the elbow issues that caused that delay. The talented 23-year-old might be ready for a full-on breakout if his health cooperates in 2023.