MLB Player News

Davies allowed one run on two hits and two walks across 3.1 innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Davies finishes spring training with a 1.08 ERA, and the righty looks ready to contribute for the Cubs and fantasy mangers. While Davies doesn't rack up strikeouts, he can still be an effective starter, which he proved with his 2.73 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 12 starts for the Padres last season. Davies is expected to start the year as Chicago's No. 3 starter behind Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta.

Sanchez will be optioned to the Marlins' alternate training site to open the season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sanchez has plenty of potential, as he's been one of the game's top pitching prospects for several years and looked good in his seven-start debut last season, cruising to a 3.46 ERA. He also has a history of injury troubles, averaging just 12.8 starts per year over the last five seasons. The Marlins are prioritizing his long-term health and have been bringing him along very slowly this spring despite the fact that he's not currently dealing with any injuries. He should certainly be able to help fantasy teams when available, but the fact that he's being optioned right away is indicative of just how careful the team will be with him this season. Early off days mean the Marlins won't need a fifth starter until April 14, which could be the date Sanchez returns to the big leagues.

Mets manager Luis Rojas said Monday that Carrasco (hamstring) has begun a throwing program and is doing well, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Carrasco has had a difficult spring, dealing with elbow soreness and then straining his hamstring while doing conditioning work. His timeline isn't entirely clear, but he's not expected back before the start of May. Joey Lucchesi will start the season in the rotation in his absence.

Stroman posted a 3.44 ERA and 17:2 K:BB through 18.1 innings this spring and is set to open the season as the Mets' No. 2 starter.

The right-hander created some buzz this spring by adding a split-finger changeup to his arsenal and showing increased velocity with his fastball, but in the end Stroman didn't show a significant spike in his strikeout rate during Grapefruit League play. Still, with Francisco Lindor helping to improve the Mets' infield defense behind him, Stroman and his plus groundball rate could see better results in 2021 even without more whiffs.

Soroka (Achilles) will throw an inning or two in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Boston, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Soroka has made slow but steady progress as he works his way back from Achilles surgery. He's seemingly avoided setbacks, but the team has been careful not to rush him. The fact that he's about to pitch in game action represents a significant step in his recovery process, though his expected return date remains unclear. The most optimistic timeline provided by the team would see him rejoin the rotation by mid-April, though a late April or early May return wouldn't be a surprise.

Corbin threw 57 pitches over four scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The left-hander also got some extra work in the bullpen before entering the game and allowing only two Cards to even reach base against him. Corbin appears on track to start the third game of the season, April 4 against the Mets, but the Nats should officially announce their rotation plans sometime this week.

Eflin (back) will get the start Monday in the Phillies' Grapefruit League finale against the Blue Jays, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Eflin will rejoin the Phillies' spring pitching schedule for the first time since March 13, but he's been able to stay relatively on track in his build-up program over the past two weeks while he's managed a minor back injury. Rather than pitching in the Grapefruit League last week when his turn came up, Eflin completed a simulated game without issue. Assuming he's able to cover around 4-to-5 innings Monday, he should head into Opening Day with few restrictions. Eflin is lined up to start the Phillies' third game of the regular season Sunday versus Atlanta.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Monday that he expects Kim (back) to miss 2-to-3 turns through the rotation before returning from the 10-day injured list, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Sidelined by a sore back for a good chunk of camp, Kim appears to have moved past the health concern at this point, but he's still in the process of building up for starting duties. Kim covered two innings Saturday against the Marlins in his spring debut, but the Cardinals likely want to see him to increase his pitch counts in two more simulated games before they're comfortable integrating him in the rotation, likely in mid-to-late April. Once Kim is ready to go, Daniel Ponce de Leon or John Gant will be the most likely candidates to lose out on a rotation spot.

Musgrove tossed five scoreless and hitless innings against Cleveland in Sunday's Cactus League contest, allowing two walks and striking out six.

The right-hander finished his spring slate with a flourish, and he worked up to 70 pitches in the exhibition tune-up. Musgrove concludes Cactus League play with a 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over 18 innings. He's set to fill the No. 4 slot in the Padres' starting rotation this season.

Flaherty, the Cardinals' Opening Day starter, allowed an unearned run on three hits over three innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins on Saturday. He struck out four.

The right-hander had already worked up to 90 pitches against MIami on Monday, so Saturday's outing was more of an interim tune-up designed to keep Flaherty's arm conditioned ahead of Opening Day. He worked up to 55 pitches, throwing 38 for strikes, and wrapped up spring with his only scoreless effort in four trips to the mound.