MLB Player News

Flaherty (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty was absent from Tuesday's team workout since he was having his right shoulder evaluated, and the Cardinals are hopeful that Flaherty's MRI will provide a diagnosis for the extent of his injury. Even if the issue is deemed to be minor, any potential delay in the right-hander's spring training workload could limit his availability to begin the regular season.

Gallen (shoulder) threw off a mound Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen reported feeling fine following the session, which is an encouraging sign for the right-hander who started feeling stiffness when he ramped up throwing in December. He's expected to throw one or two more bullpens this week, which puts him slightly behind other starters. Gallen added it was too soon to tell if he'll be delayed at the start of the season, but he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that if he is behind schedule, it would not be by much.

Paddack (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions and is expected to compete for a spot in the Padres' starting rotation this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Paddack was shut down in September of last season due to a slight UCL sprain in his right elbow, and he consequently started his offseason throwing program later than normally planned. However, he is said to be ready for game action and has already been tossing bullpen sessions in camp. San Diego's top four starters appear to be set in stone, so Paddack will likely compete with Nick Martinez, among others, for the final spot in the rotation.

Darvish said Tuesday that he worked on his mechanics during the offseason and that his hip has healed "nicely," Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Darvish had a fantastic start to his debut campaign with the Padres in 2021, posting a 2.44 ERA and 115:23 K:BB though his first 96 innings. Things fell apart after that, however, as he registered a 6.65 ERA from July 3 onward. His struggles were at least partly due to back and hip issues that affected him throughout the second half of the campaign, so it makes sense that his offseason mechanical alterations were intended to help place less stress on the lower back and hip area. Darvish was outstanding in 2020 and for the first half of 2021, so there's certainly the possibility of a bounce-back performance this season. However, fantasy managers should keep in mind that the veteran is 36 years old and that back and hip injuries tend to be tough to entirely shake.

Stroman will make his spring training debut Friday against the Giants, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Stroman joined the Cubs in the offseason and will look to make a strong first impression with his new club. Kyle Hendricks will make his spring debut a day earlier, so perhaps that will be the order heading into the regular season. Either way, Stroman will be expected to be a key contributor in the rotation. After not pitching in the shortened 2020 season, the righty registered a solid 3.02 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 179 innings with the Mets last year.

Hendricks will make his spring training debut Thursday against the White Sox, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hendricks likely won't pitch too deep into the game, as the team will want him to shake off some rust but still stay fresh for the regular season. The 32-year-old, who posted a subpar 4.77 ERA across 181 innings in 2021, will work as the Cubs' No. 1 or No. 2 starter this season, with newcomer Marcus Stroman filling the other spot atop the rotation. Stroman is set for his spring debut on Friday, so Chicago may be tipping its hand with this order, but more clarity will emerge closer to Opening Day.

Urias said Tuesday that he reported to spring training at 223 pounds, about 20 pounds lighter than he was at the end of the 2021 season, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports. "I always come to spring training lighter," Urias said. "I don't know. I've lost more weight in the past."

The weight loss doesn't seem to be borne out of a desire for better results, coming off a breakout 2021 campaign in which Urias compiled a 2.96 ERA and 195 strikeouts over 185.2 innings. Instead, Urias attributed his svelter body to approaching his career with more maturity and professionalism. Still just 25 years old, Urias might yet be able to reach another level, but even if he merely maintains his strong form from 2021, he'll have an argument for being the majors' top No. 3 pitcher in any rotation. The Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw last week to pair with budding ace Walker Buehler atop the rotation, while the pitching staff could get stronger yet if and when Trevor Bauer (personal) returns from administrative leave.

Manager David Ross said Tuesday that Steele and Keegan Thompson will be the primary competitors for the fifth and final spot in the Cubs' Opening Day rotation, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Ross left the door open for the Cubs to add another starting pitcher or two via trade or free agency before the start of the season, but for now, the club is looking internally to fill the void in the rotation created by the injury to Adbert Alzolay (lat), who is expected to miss at least two months. Both Steele and Thompson saw most of their initial appearances with the big club last season as relievers, but the two got the chance to pick up regular starts in the second half while the non-contending Cubs shifted into evaluation mode. Over his nine starts in 2021, Steele posted a 4.95 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 38:20 while coughing up 10 home runs over 43.2 innings.

Wheeler (shoulder) skipped his scheduled Thursday bullpen session due to the flu, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Wheeler has already been ruled out for an Opening Day start, as his throwing program was delayed over the winter by shoulder soreness. There haven't yet been reports that he's dealing with any significant shoulder issue, so he wasn't expected to miss much more than one start, but another slight delay from the flu could push him back further. A brief trip to the injured list could be in play if his buildup process keeps getting delayed.

Flaherty didn't participate in Tuesday's team workout after he was sent in for a medical evaluation of his right shoulder, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The results of Flaherty's tests aren't yet known, but any arm-related injury for a pitcher this close to Opening Day is obviously concerning. The Cardinals are hoping to gain more clarity on Flaherty's health situation in the next few days, but even if he's diagnosed with minor soreness, it could delay his throwing schedule enough to put his availability for the start of the season in jeopardy.