MLB Player News

Clevinger (elbow) is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league spring game Wednesday against Angels farmhands, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Though Clevinger believes he's made a full recovery from Tommy John surgery and expects to be part of San Diego's Opening Day rotation, the Padres will ease him back into action against a collection of lesser-established Angels players in what will mark the right-hander's first game action since Oct. 6, 2020. Clevinger will likely only cover an inning or two in the appearance, but if all goes well, he should make his Cactus League debut at some point early next week. Even if Clevinger avoids any setbacks with his elbow as big-league camp progresses, the Padres will still likely want to make sure his velocity and command are up to snuff in his spring outings before confirming him for the Opening Day rotation. Padres manager Bob Melvin previously said last week that Clevinger is "set in stone" for the rotation if 100 percent healthy, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Rogers is focused on improving his slider in camp, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw is coming off a very impressive rookie season, but he knows there's still plenty of ways he can get better. Rogers has changed the grip on his slider this offseason as he looks to sharpen a pitch that carried an xSLG of .452 in 2021. "Trev's a lot further along than in the past," manager Don Mattingly said after watching Rogers pitch against Triple-A hitters on a backfield Sunday. "He's got a purpose. What he's wanting to do with his slider right now, what he's trying to do with his fastball right now, knowing that all these pieces are going to start fitting together." Rogers posted a 2.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28.5 percent strikeout rate over 133 innings last year as he established himself as a key part of the Marlins' young rotation.

Muller gave up one hit over two scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, striking out two without walking a batter.

It was a good first appearance of the spring for the southpaw, who's competing with Tucker Davidson and Kyle Wright for a spot at the back of the Atlanta rotation. Muller, a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft, got his first taste of the majors last season, and while he has a strong arsenal of pitches, his 12.9 percent walk rate will need some work if he's going to find consistent success.

Megill has added a cutter to his arsenal this spring, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old is still looking for a pitch that can be effective against left-handed hitters, who posted a .995 OPS against him last season. "I definitely wanted to add another weapon," Megill said Sunday. "I wanted something hard and something that goes in to lefties, so they can respect the four-seam. If I have something hard and in, it's just an advantage for me to get on their hands and allow them to second-guess themselves." The addition of Chris Bassitt to the Mets' rotation likely means Megill will begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse despite his surprising performance last year as a rookie, so he'll have some time to hone the new pitch before a potential call-up later this summer. Megill tossed three scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, giving up two hits and three walks while striking out three.

The Marlins optioned Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

After finishing out the 2021 season in the minors, Garrett faced an uphill battle to crack the Opening Day rotation, so his demotion Monday comes as little surprise. He should be able to pick up regular starts at Jacksonville to begin the 2022 campaign and could be one of the first pitchers in line for a call-up when injuries inevitably hit the big-league rotation.

Cavalli gave up one hit and struck out six over three scoreless innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 23-year-old right-hander entered the game in the seventh inning and wasn't facing any of Houston's big-league bats, but it was still a very impressive performance from Cavalli. After scuffling a bit over six starts at Triple-A Rochester at the end of last season, the Nationals' top prospect is expected to return to that level to kick off 2022, but if he keeps dealing this spring there's a chance he could break camp in the big-league rotation as a fill-in for Stephen Strasburg (neck). Even if the club resists the urge to start his service-time clock right away, a major-league debut at some point this season for Cavalli seems almost assured.

Gallen (shoulder) will throw a live batting-practice session Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen continues to make progress from offseason shoulder issues, but the right-hander is unlikely to be part of the rotation's first turn to start the season. It's uncertain when Gallen will make his first Cactus League start, and he may not build up enough pitches to be ready the first week of the season. The Diamondbacks start integrating their rotation locks beginning Tuesday when Madison Bumgarner pitches.

Mikolas was hitting 94 mph regularly in his initial spring training outing and is feeling good after suffering multiple injuries the last two years, Rick Hummel of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals needed some good pitching news given the setbacks for Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Alex Reyes (shoulder) this spring. Mikolas was in great spirits following the outing. "My tagline right now is it feels good to feel good," he said. "It's a weight off your shoulders physically and mentally to not be warming up and thinking, 'How is it going to feel today?'''

Keller (thigh) said Sunday he'll be fine to make his next start after being hit by a comebacker Saturday against the Tigers, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Keller made a precautionary exit from Saturday's contest after being struck in the thigh, but it shouldn't affect his status going forward. The 25-year-old made 23 starts for Pittsburgh last season and had a 6.17 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 92:49 K:BB over 100.2 innings, and he's attempting to retain a rotation spot during spring training.

Wheeler (shoulder/illness) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Wheeler skipped his scheduled bullpen session Thursday due to a bout with the flu, but his return to the mound Sunday indicates he's past the ailment. The 31-year-old is scheduled to throw another bullpen session this week before advancing to live batting practice and then potentially progressing to game action. Wheeler was previously ruled out for Opening Day but should be available for the first turn through the rotation if he remains on the his current schedule.