MLB Player News

Nola will start on Opening Day against Atlanta on April 1, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The announcement comes as no surprise, as Nola has been the Phillies' ace for several years now. He's coming off a year in which he posted his second-best ERA (3.28), second-best WHIP (1.08) and best strikeout rate (33.2 percent). The Opening Day start will be his fourth in a row, and he'll become the first Phillies pitcher to record a streak that long since Steve Carlton made 10 consecutive Opening Day starts from 1977 to 1986.

Gallen was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against Oakland with right lateral forearm soreness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Forearm issues are among the more worrisome problems for a pitcher, as they can sometimes be the first sign of a serious injury which requires major surgery. Whether or not that's the case with this particular problem remains to be seen, but even a very minor setback at this stage of spring would likely see Gallen open the year on the injured list. Per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Gallen felt the issue while swinging a bat rather than throwing, which is potentially cause for optimism, but there's a limit to how optimistic one should be when it comes to pitchers and arm troubles.

Senzatela (0-1) allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Royals.

Senzatela made his first Cactus League appearance since sustaining a hamstring strain in early March, and he looked healthy despite allowing eight baserunners. The right-hander fielded several bunts during the outing and wasn't bothered by his hamstring, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. Senzatela should be healthy enough to begin the regular season in Colorado's rotation.

Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Monday that Cabrera (biceps) has yet to resume a throwing program, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Shortly after reporting to spring training in mid-February, Cabrera was diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his biceps and has been shut down ever since. The injury effectively ended Cabrera's long-shot bid for a spot in the Marlins' Opening Day rotation, and given that he has yet to throw a month later, he may not be ready to go when Triple-A Jacksonville begins its season in May. A clearer timeline for Cabrera's eventual 2021 debut should emerge once he eventually resumes throwing.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Kim (back) would throw a simulated game Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Based on Shildt's comments, Kim sounds like he'll throw about two innings Monday, an encouraging sign coming out of a successful bullpen session over the weekend. If all goes well during the simulated game, Shildt said that the next step for Kim would be a "game appearance," either during the Cardinals' Grapefruit League slate or in an exhibition in the days before the April 1 season opener. Kim would still appear to have a chance at making the Opening Day roster, though the Cardinals could push him to the back of the pitching schedule to afford him as much recovery time from the back injury as possible.

Mikolas attributes the shoulder soreness that's kept him out of Grapefruit League play to having overthrown when facing live hitters for the first time this spring Feb. 25, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "I think I just might have overdid it," Mikolas said. "Maybe I should have kept one foot on the brake for another live BP or two before I let it go."

The veteran right-hander was able to play catch without setbacks Wednesday, a cautiously optimistic sign. Mikolas is already ruled out for his first regular-season turn in the rotation, but he remains positive about being able to return shortly thereafter and noted "I don't see myself missing a whole lot of time."

Kim (back) emerged from Saturday's bullpen session without setbacks, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt and the training staff received positive reports about the session, Kim's second in four days. Given the absence of setbacks thus far, the left-hander is likely to next pitch in a simulated game before potentially making one final Grapefruit League appearance prior to the start of the regular season.

Gausman will start Monday's spring game against the White Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Gausman will make his third start of spring training Monday after he allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.1 innings during his first two outings. The right-hander has been more effective than Johnny Cueto during his Cactus League appearances, but Cueto will start a simulated game for the Giants on Monday. Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't indicated whether Gausman or Cueto will serve as the Opening Day starter in 2021, but Kapler said Sunday that he could reach a decision in the next few days.

Cueto will throw five innings during a simulated game Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle

Cueto has struggled through three Cactus League starts this spring, as he's allowed eight runs on 12 hits and four walks while striking out nine over 7.1 innings. He'll have his longest throwing session so far during Monday's simulated game, while Kevin Gausman will take the mound during the team's spring game against the White Sox. Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't announced whether Cueto or Gausman will start for the Giants on Opening Day, but Kapler said Sunday that he could reach a decision in the next few days.

Lorenzen was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain after exiting Saturday's "B" game, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's not believed to be a serious injury, but it remains a concerning development with less than two weeks before Opening Day. Lorenzen is the leading candidate to open the season as Cincinnati's No. 5 starter, and his primary competition, Tejay Antone (groin), is dealing with his own injury.