MLB Player News

Buehler tossed 4.2 innings against Cincinnati on Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out five.

Buehler made it through three scoreless innings before allowing a solo homer to Jonathan India in the fourth and yielding another run in the fifth. The right-hander threw 53 pitches in the outing, which is a good sign considering this was his first appearance of the spring. Clayton Kershaw may be the sentimental favorite to take the mound for the Dodgers on Opening Day, but in fantasy circles, Buehler is without question the team's top pitcher.

Lauer (groin) and the Brewers agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $2.425 million contract to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The southpaw was one of nine arbitration-eligible Brewers to settle up on a deal for 2022 prior to Tuesday's filing deadline. With his contract situation now resolved, Lauer will turn his focus to moving past the groin issue that resulted in him being scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start Tuesday against the White Sox. According to Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin, both Lauer and manager Craig Counsell described the injury as a minor concern, so the 26-year-old lefty still looks like he's on track to break camp as a member of the Milwaukee rotation.

Manager David Bell said Tuesday that Dunn (shoulder) is expected to be sidelined a couple months, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Dunn was expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation after being acquired from the Mariners last week, but he'll instead spent the first couple months of the campaign on the injured list. The right-hander suffered a shoulder strain last June and missed the rest of the season with Seattle, and the injury will also leave a significant mark on his 2022 campaign in Cincinnati.

Lucchesi (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Lucchesi underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so he's likely to sit out most of the season for his first year of arbitration eligibility. It's unclear where he currently stands in his recovery, but the left-hander could return sometime after the All-Star break if all goes well during his rehab.

Lugo agreed to a one-year, $3.925 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Lugo will receive a $1 million raise from last season after recording one save and 13 holds with a 3.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB over 46.1 innings. The veteran right-hander figures to be a key bullpen piece again for the Mets in 2022.

Mahle agreed to a one-year, $5.2 million contract with the Reds on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mahle will receive a $3 million raise for 2022 in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old apparently isn't on the trade block despite Cincinnati's recent trades, so he's a lock for the rotation after posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 210:64 K:BB over 180 innings (33 starts) last season.

Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits across two innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners. He struck out one.

For the second straight spring start, Hendricks pitched only two innings. He's allowed eight hits in four total innings of work, so he hasn't been particularly sharp yet. After a down 2021 campaign in which he recorded a career-worst 4.77 ERA, it would be nice to see Hendricks pitch a little better in the early going, but it will of course be much more telling how he looks to begin the regular season.

Williams and the Mets agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Williams is entering his final year of team control. He posted a career-best (but still below average) 22.2 percent strikeout rate last season, helping him to a 4.35 ERA in 91 innings.

Urias signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Urias made $3.6 million in 2021 and received a solid bump in pay for his second-to-last year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old southpaw had a 2.96 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 195:38 K:BB over 185.2 innings last season.

Castillo (shoulder) signed a one-year, $7.35 million contract with the Reds on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Castillo is entering his penultimate year of arbitration eligibility and was able to agree with Cincinnati on a figure for 2022. However, that's the minor news of the day, as it was reported earlier Tuesday that the right-hander is dealing with shoulder soreness and may not be ready for the start of the season. Castillo recently advanced to long toss and will need to get back on a mound before there's a firm idea of when he'll be cleared for game action.