MLB Player News

Kershaw will start Friday's spring opener against the Brewers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw entered the offseason with major injury concerns after missing the playoffs with a forearm issue, and those concerns were only heightened when the Dodgers declined to tender him a qualifying offer. He re-signed with the team shortly following the end of the lockout however, indicating that Los Angeles felt at least reasonably confident about his health, and he's since said he's 100 percent healthy and will be ready for Opening Day. Some skepticism about that statement seems fair, but if he gets through his Friday appearance without issue, there will be little reason to worry about his early-season availability.

Corbin intends to work on keeping his pitches down this season, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The veteran left-hander did just that in two simulated innings Wednesday, and what little success Corbin experienced in 2021 came when he attacked the bottom of the strike zone. The 32-year-old admitted Wednesday he got away from that approach last year in an effort to give up fewer homers. "Sometimes when you have a couple starts where you struggle and you're looking at those things a little too much, it's like, 'Hey, you got to pitch up more,' " Corbin explained at his locker Wednesday morning. "And it's kind of... not everyone is like that. Not everyone can do that or has the stuff for that." He's not too far removed from a 2019 campaign in which he posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 28.5 percent strikeout rate, and the Nationals desperately need Corbin to regain something close to that form with Max Scherzer now a Met and Stephen Strasburg still recovering from last summer's thoracic outlet surgery. If he can put together a solid spring, Corbin might even take the mound Opening Day for Washington.

Henry allowed one run on one hit while striking out one and walking none in Thursday's spring training opener against the Rockies.

Henry, a second-round selection in the 2019 draft, was bedeviled by control issues in 2021 while at Double-A Amarillo, where he walked 53 and allowed 116 hits over 115.2 innings (1.47 WHIP). What made Thursday's effort so promising is that he made a point to attack hitters and get ahead in the count, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The left-hander will likely open the season at Triple-A Reno, another hitter-friendly environment like Amarillo, as he looks to continue commanding the strike zone.

Hendricks pitched two innings in his Cactus League debut Thursday. He allowed one run on three hits while striking out two.

As expected, Hendricks didn't go very deep into the first game of the spring. The veteran is focused on getting ready for the regular season and turning the page after a tough 2021 campaign. His 4.77 ERA was a career worst, as was his 1.35 WHIP. Hendricks posted a 2.88 ERA and 1.00 WHIP during the condensed 2020 season, and if his 2022 numbers are closer to that range, he'll once again be a top fantasy option, though he's still unlikely to provide much of a boost in the strikeout department.

May (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

May underwent Tommy John surgery last May and is hoping to pitch for the Dodgers during the final third of 2022, so it's not a surprise he's starting the campaign on the 60-day IL. The 24-year-old began playing catch in early November and gradually increased his throwing distance over the winter.

Soroka (Achilles) signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with Atlanta on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Soroka was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, but he'll land a one-year deal with the club to avoid arbitration ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander hasn't appeared in any games since August of 2020 but is hopeful he'll be able to return to game action at some point during the second half of the 2022 season. Soroka has been cleared to resume running and throwing, but he hasn't yet began mound work.

Walker (knee) will start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Walker underwent a debridement procedure on his right knee in mid-January, and he's slightly behind the team's other starting pitchers to begin spring training. However, he'll still draw the start during the Mets' first spring game. The right-hander hasn't yet ruled himself out for Opening Day but said he won't rush to return by the start of the regular season. If Walker is unavailable to begin the year, Tylor Megill and David Peterson would likely compete for a spot in the rotation.

Suarez expects to be ready for the start of the season despite visa issues delaying his arrival at camp, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez didn't arrive until Thursday, raising speculation that he wouldn't have time to fully build up before the start of the regular season. He was able to throw bullpen sessions before leaving Venezuela, however, and he believes he'll be ready ahead of Opening Day. It's possible the team has different ideas about his readiness, but any potential delay shouldn't last particularly long.

Morton (leg) threw about 40 pitches over three innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander faced Atlanta regulars like Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson and Austin Riley and showed no limitations. "That was really good for his psyche and everything else," manager Brian Snitker said afterward. "I thought the ball was coming out really well. He continues to amaze me." Morton appears to be on track for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, a remarkable recovery after he fractured his right leg during Game 1 of the World Series less than five months ago.

Suarez's visa issues have been resolved, and he arrived at camp Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez will be behind schedule after missing the first few days of camp, but exactly where he stands in his throwing progression remains to be seen. It's possible he's on a pitch count for his first start or two, but it seems likely that he'll be at full strength not long after Opening Day. That's good news for the Phillies, who may be without Zack Wheeler (shoulder) for at least a turn or two.