MLB Player News

Alcantara will start the Marlins' Opening Day matchup against the Giants on Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Alcantara has developed into the Marlins' ace across the last three seasons and will unsurprisingly serve as the Opening Day starter for a third consecutive year. The right-hander made a career-high 33 starts in 2021 and posted a 3.19 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 201:50 K:BB in 205.2 innings.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Flaherty (shoulder) has begun plyometric drills to replicate his throwing motion, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty is nearing the end of his two-week shutdown from throwing, and it's encouraging that he's been able to resume some activity with just under a week remaining until Opening Day. The right-hander will need some time to build back up after he received a PRP injection March 18, but he'll begin a throwing program soon and will travel with the team once it returns to St. Louis. It seems likely that Flaherty will require a stint on the injured list to begin the regular season, but his progress late in spring training has provided a reason for encouragement.

Manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that Adon is in the mix for a spot in the Nationals' starting rotation since Erick Fedde's (oblique) status for the start of the season is in question, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Fedde recently underwent an MRI that didn't reveal anything too concerning, but he doesn't want to rush back to the mound if he isn't fully healthy for the start of the regular season. Adon was effective in his first Grapefruit League start of the spring, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out nine in 5.1 innings. He'll make another start Saturday against Miami, but his role to begin the regular season is mainly dependent on Fedde's health as spring training draws to a close.

Corbin will start the Nationals' Opening Day matchup against the Mets on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Corbin's spring starts lined up for him to take the mound Opening Day, and manager Dave Martinez confirmed the speculation Saturday. Across two starts this spring, Corbin struck out 10 in nine scoreless innings. Once the 2022 campaign gets underway, the southpaw will attempt to bounce back after posting a career-worst 5.82 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP in 171.2 innings across 31 starts last season.

Snell pitched 1.1 innings against Arizona on Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks. He did not strike out any batters.

Snell's 2021 campaign ended early due to a groin injury, and he has been brought along slowly this spring as a result of a delayed ramp-up due to the lockout, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego-Union Tribune. The southpaw threw 45 pitches in his Cactus League debut and struggled with his control, as only 20 of his offerings were strikes. It's hardly cause for panic that a pitcher wasn't sharp in his first spring appearance, though the control issues have some relevance given that Snell posted a 4.8 BB/9 last season -- his worst mark since his rookie campaign. Snell should be able to log one more spring start, and he's likely to open the campaign limited to 4-5 innings his first few times out, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Wheeler (shoulder) threw 45 pitches during his start in an intrasquad matchup Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Despite being delayed in camp due to shoulder soreness, Wheeler has been building up recently and should avoid a trip to the injured list to begin the 2022 campaign. Manager Joe Girardi is hopeful that the right-hander will be able to throw around 60 pitches during a start in Lakeland on Thursday, and Wheeler is then expected to make his 2022 debut against the Mets on April 12.

May (elbow) threw his first bullpen session Saturday since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May.

May continues to make steady progress in his recovery and seems to have avoided setbacks thus far. A typical return timeline won't have him back in the big leagues until the middle of the second half this year, however. Whether he'll be a starter or reliever down the stretch once he's ready to go remains to be seen.

Cavalli was reassigned to minor-league spring training Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Cavalli was being considered for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day rotation this spring, but he'll need some time in the minors to begin the year after he posted a 14.04 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 8.1 innings across three appearances (one start) in the Grapefruit League. However, if the right-hander performs well at Triple-A Rochester early in the 2022 campaign, it wouldn't be surprising to see him make his major-league debut at some point this year.

Smyly has been told he'll be a starter for the Cubs to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Smyly worked as a starter and as a reliever at times for Atlanta last season, but the Cubs will need the lefty to start with Adbert Alzolay (lat) and Wade Miley (elbow) currently out. The eventual return of those two injured pitchers could push Smyly into a long-relief role, though the veteran could stick in the rotation if he pitches well early in the year.

The Cubs have been building Steele up as a starter this spring and will likely use him in their rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB,com reports.

With Adbert Alzolay (lat) currently on the 60-day injured list and Wade Miley (elbow) getting shut down for 10 days, the Cubs have a few holes in their rotation behind Kyle Hendricks and Marcus Stroman. Alec Mills should fill one of those spots, and Drew Smyly looks like he'll be starting too. Steele should then slot in at the back of the rotation, but the eventual return of Alzolay and Miley will likely push him into a relief role.