MLB Player News

Snell (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

All 15 of Snell's pitches were low-intensity fastballs between 87 and 89 mph with the catcher crouched, Snell told Plunkett afterward. It was the left-hander's first time this spring throwing off a mound to a catcher that wasn't standing upright. Manager Dave Roberts said Snell is essentially starting spring training Thursday and will need at least six weeks to get fully ramped up. The veteran left-hander appears poised to make his season debut sometime in early May should he progress without any setbacks.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Yamamoto will start Team Japan's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

After the game, Yamamoto will travel back to Phoenix to rejoin the Dodgers in spring training. With the game Saturday being his final game for Japan in the WBC, the right-hander will then focus on getting ready for the start of the regular season.

Manager Pat Murphy confirmed Thursday that Priester will begin the season on the injured list due to a nerve issue in the thoracic outlet syndrome family that causes pain in his right wrist, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester visited a vascular specialist Wednesday in Dallas, where he was diagnosed as having the nerve issue in the TOS family. It is believed he'll be able to treat the injury without going through surgery. Priester threw lightly Thursday and is scheduled for a bullpen March 21. While he will miss the beginning of the season, it's unclear exactly how long he's expected to be sidelined.

Snell (shoulder) is scheduled for his first bullpen session of the spring Thursday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Snell will begin the season on the injured list, but the Dodgers hoped he'd be able to throw in bullpen sessions by the end of spring training. With Thursday's session slotted, the southpaw will clear the mark. Snell threw off a mound to a standing catcher earlier this week and will continue ramping up his throwing program as spring training winds down.

Wheeler (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It will be the veteran right-hander's first time facing hitters since he had thoracic outlet surgery last September. The Phillies have declined to say whether Wheeler would pitch in any Grapefruit League games, but if he's facing hitters Saturday, there's a good chance he will get into games before camp breaks. Wheeler will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, but it could be a brief absence as long as his recovery continues to move along without interruption.

The Cubs have named Boyd their Opening Day starter, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

He'll be tasked with facing the Nationals and Cade Cavalli on March 26. Boyd earned the Opening Day nod following a terrific first season in Chicago which saw him collect a 3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:42 K:BB across 179.2 regular-season innings.

Meyer struck out six over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, allowing one hit and one walk.

The right-hander fired 30 of 48 pitches for strikes as he continues to get built up ahead of the regular season, and he topped out at 97.1 mph on a first-inning four-seamer to Jose Altuve. Meyer has yet to allow a run over seven spring innings with a 12:1 K:BB and he's flashed ace-level upside before, but after throwing only 64.2 innings in 2025, simply staying on the mound and taking a regular turn in the Marlins' rotation would be an accomplishment.

Perez gave up three runs on four hits and a walk over four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out six.

The veteran southpaw entered the game to begin the fifth inning and went the rest of the way, tossing 51 pitches (34 strikes), With Joey Wentz (knee) out of the picture, Perez is in line to work as Atlanta's sixth starter out of the gate as the team plays 13 straight games to kick off its campaign. Over 11 games (10 starts) for the White Sox in 2025, Perez produced a respectable 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB in 56 innings.

Strider allowed two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out five.

The right-hander built up to 61 pitches (43 strikes) and mostly sat 94-95 mph with his fastball, topping out at 96.5 mph. Strider might not get back his pre-injury heat -- he was averaging 97.2 mph with his four-seamer as recently as 2023 -- but he's expanded his arsenal with a curveball in addition to his slider and changeup, and he looked comfortable with all four offerings Wednesday. Strider is looking to rebound from an uncharacteristically shaky 4.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 23 starts in 2025.

Abbott allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against Milwaukee.

Abbott labored early and required 69 pitches to get those 11 outs in his fourth Cactus League start and first since being tabbed to start Opening Day, March 26, against the Red Sox. After allowing a walk and three hits (including a two-run home run) in a 25-pitch first inning, he got into immediate trouble in the second when the first two batters singled. The lefty squelched the threat with a pick-off and double-play grounder. Abbott then had less eventful third and four innings.