MLB Player News

Davies threw two innings in a simulated game Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks inked Davies earlier in the week, and the right-hander is a frontrunner for the final spot in the rotation, provided he can build up his innings and pitch count by the first week of the season. He had a career-worst year with the Cubs in 2021, posting a 5.78 ERA and 1.52 K/BB over 32 starts while also tying for the NL lead in walks (75). His prior track record, which included a 3.79 ERA (114 ERA+) across six seasons, is what Arizona found attractive. The Diamondbacks appear to have their first four rotation slots set, but Zac Gallen (shoulder) might not be ready for Opening Day. Davies joins a long list of candidates in the mix for the fifth starter job and covering whatever time Gallen needs to get ready. Tyler Gilbert, Taylor Widener, Caleb Smith, Corbin Martin, Dan Straily and Humberto Castellanos are also being considered.

Manager Dave Roberts announced Thursday that Walker Buehler will be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

This feels like a passing of the torch in Los Angeles, as Kershaw had been the team's starter for every Opening Day in which he wasn't injured since 2011. The decision is more a recognition of Buehler's ascension than an indictment of Kershaw, who posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 144:21 K:BB across 121.2 innings last season. Those numbers deserve applause, but Buehler earned the ace role with a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 212:52 K:BB across 207.2 frames. In terms of fantasy significance, the most important note is that Kershaw has started the spring healthy, though he has given up three runs across 3.2 innings in two starts.

Steele pitched two scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels. He walked two and struck out two.

Steele is competing for a spot at the back end of the Cubs' rotation, so performances like this are very useful. Keegan Thompson is also in the mix for the No. 5 role, as is the newly signed Drew Smyly. Steele appeared in 20 games for Chicago last season, including nine starts, and registered a 4.26 ERA across 57 innings of work.

Walker (knee) is slated to pitch behind starter David Peterson in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Walker will finally be making his spring debut this weekend after a mid-January procedure on his right knee had kept him about two weeks behind the Mets' other starting pitchers thus far in camp. Though the right-hander hasn't said whether he plans to be ready to go for Opening Day, how long he works and how he fares in Saturday's contest will likely be a deciding factor. Walker earned his first All-Star nod in his first season with the Mets in 2021, but he faded badly in the second half to finish with a 4.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 146:55 K:BB in 159 frames.

Buehler was named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The torch has officially been passed at Dodger Stadium. For the first time since 2010, a healthy Clayton Kershaw will watch from the dugout on Opening Day. (Kershaw wasn't the team's Opening Day starter in 2019 or 2020 but was on the injured list both times.) The honor is a deserved one for Buehler, who's coming off a season in which he posted a career-best 2.47 ERA, a mark that beat Kershaw by over a run. Buehler will take on the Rockies in Coors Field to kick off the season on April 8 and then will either face the Twins in Minnesota or the Reds at home the following week, depending on whether the Dodgers use their April 11 off day to skip a starter or give their pitchers an extra day of rest.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Mejia had at least a shot of breaking camp in the big leagues after making five starts there last season, but for now he'll wait for another chance at Triple-A. He struggled to a 7.25 ERA in those starts, striking out just 19.0 percent of opposing batters while keeping the ball on the ground a mere 29.3 percent of the time.

Luzardo tossed three perfect innings and struck out two in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 24-year-old southpaw touched 99 mph with his fastball while carving up a St. Louis lineup that included Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Dylan Carlson. Luzardo's raw stuff has never been in question, but his ability to command it remains a concern after he posted a 6.61 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 11.0 percent walk rate over 95.1 innings between the A's and Marlins last season. If he can begin to put things together in 2022 though, Miami's already impressive young rotation will be that much stronger.

Alcantara gave up one run on one hit over four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Juan Soto took him deep in the first inning, but there's no shame in losing a battle against arguably the best pure hitter in the game. Alcantara is off to a strong start this spring as he prepares for another Opening Day assignment for the Marlins and looks to build on the 3.16 ERA and 1.09 WHIP he's posted over the last two seasons.

Sanchez (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for at least another month, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander has already been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville and the Marlins are in no hurry to get him back on the mound, so it wouldn't be a surprise if his rest period ends up being even longer. Sanchez underwent shoulder surgery last July and felt discomfort while doing rehab exercises, causing the team to shut him down. The 23-year-old has only thrown 39 innings over the last two seasons, so even if he does finally get healthy over the summer and make it back to the majors, his workload will almost certainly be carefully monitored.

The Rockies optioned Feltner to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Feltner was one of four players on the Rockies' 40-man roster that was dispatched to the minors Thursday, leaving Colorado with 47 players remaining at MLB camp. The 25-year-old right-hander reached the majors for the first time in 2021, making two starts for the Rockies and giving up eight earned runs on nine hits and five walks over 6.1 innings. He's expected to slot into the Albuquerque rotation to begin the upcoming season.