Irvin appears to be on track to begin the season as part of the Nationals' rotation, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Josiah Gray and Mitchell Parker were optioned to Triple-A Rochester this week while Brad Lord is being shifted to the bullpen, which seemingly leaves Irvin as the last man standing for the fifth starter role. Irvin's reliability may have won the day, as he's made 33 starts in each of the last two seasons despite a 5.04 ERA, and the 29-year-old right-hander has had a strong spring with a 1.35 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 13.1 innings.

Senga gave up three hits and a walk over four scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out four.

Facing most of Houston's likely Opening Day lineup, including Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa, Senga fired 41 of 63 pitches for strikes in another impressive performance. The 33-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.86 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through 9.2 spring frames while showing much better velocity on his four-seam fastball, which averaged 94.7 mph in 2024. With more consistent heat to set up his elite splitter, Senga may be poised to regain something close to the form that saw him deliver a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 202:77 K:BB over 166.1 innings during his MLB debut in 2023.

Webb allowed six earned runs on eight hits, including one home run, and one walk while striking out three across 4.1 innings in Thursday's 14-11 Cactus League win over the Rockies.

Webb returned to Cactus League action after joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, where he surrendered one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out 11 in 8.2 innings over two outings. The right-hander was hit hard in his third Cactus League start, tossing 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes while giving up six more hits than he had over his previous two spring games combined. Webb, who is set to make his fifth consecutive Opening Day start for the Giants, is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.22 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 224:46 K:BB across 207 innings in 34 starts.

Singer (blister) expects to make his next start, MLB.com reports.

The Reds haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Friday, so Singer's next scheduled start is not known. Given a typical five-game rotation, the right-hander would be in line to pitch the final Cactus League tilt for Cincinnati next Tuesday. Singer was removed early from his start Wednesday when a blister developed on his right index finger, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious. He cited the Arizona heat as a factor.

Soroka allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the White Sox.

Soroka dazzled in his first game back from a stint with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander threw 70 pitches (48 strikes) and will get one more spring start next Tuesday against the Guardians, Arizona's final preseason game. With Merrill Kelly (back) slated to begin the season on the injured list, Soroka will open the regular season as part of the team's five-man rotation.

Kussow recently underwent labrum surgery on his right shoulder and was placed on the FCL Mets' full-season injured list Wednesday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Kussow was a fourth-round pick by the Mets in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft. This was slated to be his first full minor-league season, but instead the right-hander will spend the entirety of the campaign recovering and rehabbing from surgery.

Wheeler (shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler will be limited to 40 pitches, but it will mark his first game action of the spring. The veteran right-hander is set to open the regular season on the injured list, but a return at some point in April appears to still be on the table. Wheeler has been throwing bullpens and live batting practice sessions for the past few weeks. Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter figures to open the season in the Phillies' rotation while Wheeler works his way into game shape.

The Nationals optioned Gray to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.

The 28-year-old was expected to begin the season in Washington's rotation after spending all of 2025 working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but he'll instead open the campaign at Triple-A. Gray has given up just one run with a 5:1 K:BB in 4.2 frames across his two Grapefruit League starts this spring, but the Nationals apparently want to manage his workload early in the season before calling him up to the big club, per Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com.

Kelly (back) allowed two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Cubs.

Kelly made his second spring start and threw 36 pitches, the same number he delivered in his Cactus League debut last Friday. He indicated over the weekend that he expects to open the season on the injured list and judging by his pitch count, Kelly appears headed for some sort of delay, whether that be on the IL or being skipped in the first turn of the rotation.

Ashby tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels. He did not allow a hit, struck out two batters and walked one.

Ashby has appeared in only three games this spring, and after starting the first two he worked out of the bullpen Wednesday. Ashby was extended up to 50 pitches his previous time out, so it was fair to wonder if he was being considered for a rotation spot. However, he was limited to 22 pitches just over a week from Opening Day, so it appears the plan is to keep him in the bullpen. If Ashby does wind up making starts during the regular season, he most likely will work as an opener.