MLB Player News

Gomber (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings as he was charged with the loss in Saturday's spring game against the Cubs.

Gomber had tossed seven scoreless innings across his first three spring starts, but he gave up a leadoff double in the first inning before a pair of groundouts put the Cubs on the board. The southpaw then left a runner on third before leaving the game in the fifth inning, and a home run with one out in the frame put Gomber in line for the loss. Gomber should begin the 2021 campaign in the starting rotation since he's posted a 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings during his first four starts this spring.

Lopez will take the mound for the Marlins' second game of the season, April 2 against the Rays, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

He'll follow Sandy Alcantara, who received the Opening Day assignment from manager Don Mattingly. Lopez has had a solid spring, posting a 2.63 ERA and 9:1 K:BB through 13,2 innings, and the 25-year-old is looking to take another step forward after breaking out with a 3.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 24.1 percent strikeout rate last year.

Sanchez twice reached 101 mph with his fastball over three perfect innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

Remarkably, he didn't record a strikeout, but the Nats could only muster weak contact as Sanchez pounded the strike zone with his overpowering stuff. The right-hander thinks he'll be ready to go for Opening Day and will slot into the Marlins' rotation right away, but the club has already stated it will keep a very close eye on his workload this season. Whether that results in Sanchez being skipped in the rotation on occasion, throwing fewer pitches per start, or both remains to be seen.

Wright has posted a 4.09 ERA and 10:5 K:BB through 11 Grapefruit League innings.

The right-hander hasn't been dominant this spring, but he's delivered some solid innings, and perhaps most importantly he hasn't served up a home run after being taken deep seven times in 38 innings last season. Wright is still competing for the No. 5 starter role to begin the season as Atlanta waits for Mike Soroka (Achilles) to prove he's fully healthy, and Bryse Wilson (1.98 ERA, 9:4 K:BB in 13.2 spring innings) is also firmly in the mix for the assignment.

Eflin (back) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin skipped his scheduled start Friday due to a back issue, but it appears to be a minor one. Assuming his bullpen session goes well Sunday, he should make a Grapefruit League start next week and will be set up to take his first turn in the rotation once the regular season begins.

Gray (back) will throw a side session Saturday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gray has been dealing with back spasms recently, but he resumed playing catch Wednesday and will have another throwing session Saturday. The 31-year-old doesn't expect to be ready for the first week of the regular season, but he could join the rotation after missing only one or two turns if he remains on track in his recovery. A better timetable for Gray's return could be established once he's able to ramp up his throwing progression.

Strasburg (calf) is on track to make his first turn in the rotation and avoid a trip to the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Injuries have unfortunately been one of the stories of Strasburg's career, and they've been the story of his spring as well. Despite spending the offseason recovering from hand surgery and then exiting a start with a calf injury, however, he looks set to avoid missing any regular-season starts. He threw 74 pitches in a simulated game Friday.

Anderson struck out nine over 4.2 innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

He held Minnesota scoreless through four frames before fading a bit in the fifth, but it was still another dominant outing for the 22-year-old. Anderson has a stunning 18:3 K:BB through 8.2 spring innings as he prepares to build on his impressive rookie campaign.

Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos suggested Friday that Soroka (Achilles) could rejoin the rotation by mid-April, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Speaking during the broadcast of Friday's Grapefruit League contest, Anthopoulos noted that Soroka looked good covering first base during his simulated game earlier in the day, and his ability to play defense without issue is one of the final hurdles in his recovery from Achilles surgery. Manager Brian Snitker later indicated that the right-hander hadn't yet hit and run from the batter's box. A late April or early May return to action still seems likely for Soroka, but the team is open to the idea of bringing him back sooner if he proves he's ready.

Walker tossed four scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three.

The right-hander actually faced the minimum 12 batters during his outing thanks to two double plays started by Jeff McNeil. Walker has a 3.00 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through six innings over his first two spring outings, and is on track to be ready for his first turn through the rotation.