MLB Player News

Gutierrez entered spring training as a favorite to win a rotation spot, and injuries to Luis Castillo and Mike Minor make it even more likely that Gutierrez will start, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gutierrez may have a rotation spot, but there are plenty of red flags regarding his performance, starting with his measly 17.7 K% last season, along with a 9.3 BB%. The Reds have a number of young pitchers on the rise, some of whom might make the Opening Day roster, and others that could surpass him in the rotation in short order.

The Cardinals have informed Wainwright that he'll start the club's Opening Day game April 7 versus the Pirates, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Wainwright became the logical choice to start the Cardinals' first game of the regular season after Jack Flaherty developed shoulder inflammation earlier in spring training that will force him to open the campaign on the injured list. The 40-year-old has enjoyed a nice late-career resurgence over the past two seasons after his performance has previously nosedived during the latter half of the past decade. Since the beginning of the 2020 season, Wainwright has produced a 3.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 42 starts.

Cabrera is scheduled to start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cabrera finished the 2021 campaign on the injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger, but it was visa issues that prevented him from beginning his buildup program at the same time as the Marlins' other starting candidates at the start of spring training. After resolving the visa issue and reporting to camp, Cabrera is now on track to make his spring debut. Despite the missed workouts, Cabrera still looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season, though he may need to pitch well Monday and in his subsequent spring outings to clinch a spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation. Over his first seven big-league starts in 2021, Cabrera posted a 5.81 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:19 K:BB across 26.1 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Anderson will likely begin the season as a piggyback bulk arm when needed, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Anderson was in the mix for a starting role during spring training, but it appears as though Tony Gonsolin will win the team's fifth rotation spot while Andrew Heaney serves as a fill-in starter with Trevor Bauer (not injury related) on administrative leave. Anderson served exclusively as a starter with the Pirates and Mariners last year and posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 167 innings. However, his fantasy value will take a hit if he ultimately serves as a long reliever this year.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Heaney will start in the Dodgers' first turn through the rotation in 2022, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

While Roberts said that Tony Gonsolin is the leading candidate for the fifth rotation spot, Heaney should begin the season as a starter while Trevor Bauer (not injury related) remains on the restricted list. Heaney made 30 appearances (23 starts) between the Angels and Yankees last year and posted a 5.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 129.2 innings. However, his role beyond the first week of the season will likely depend on whether the league elects to suspend Bauer.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Gonsolin is leading the competition to serve as the Dodgers' fifth starter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin served mainly as a starter last year and recorded a 3.23 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 55.2 innings across 15 appearances (13 starts). He's been competing with Andrew Heaney and Tyler Anderson for a starting role in camp, but Gonsolin is the leading candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation. Roberts said Heaney will likely make at least one turn through the rotation early in the year since Trevor Bauer (not injury related) is on administrative leave, but Gonsolin appears to be in line for a more permanent starting role.

Irvin (elbow) is fully healthy and has pitched well during spring training, Lacy Lusk of Baseball America reports.

Irvin underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2020 but is now fully recovered entering this season. He last saw game action at the Low-A level in 2019 and had a 4.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 113:38 K:BB over 128.1 innings.

Wright is a frontrunner for one of the final two rotation spots in Atlanta, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Wright has yet to have consistent success at the big-league level, as he has a career 6.56 ERA across 70 innings. Still, he's only 26 years old and also turned in three scoreless innings in his first Grapefruit League outing of 2022. Despite his current standing, Wright has one minor-league option remaining, so the team could ultimately opt to rely on Tucker Davidson or Kyle Muller in the rotation to begin the campaign.

Ynoa is a favorite to land a rotation spot to begin the season, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The status of Ynoa's health was unclear when he reported to camp after he suffered from shoulder inflammation during the postseason. However, he threw three scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League appearance against the Twins on Tuesday, seemingly answering any short-term concerns. Across 91 innings in 2021, Ynoa showed promise by maintaining a 4.05 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 100:25 K:BB.

Boyd (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Boyd underwent flexor tendon surgery on his left elbow in September and isn't expected to be ready for game action until June, so it's not a surprise he'll open the season on the 60-day IL. The 31-year-old had a 3.89 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67:23 K:BB over 78.2 innings for Detroit last season, and he'll be in the mix for a rotation spot with San Francisco after inking a one-year, $5.2 million deal in mid-March.