MLB Player News

Soroka (Achilles) pitched two innings during a simulated game Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka had been taking part in fielding drills to begin spring training while working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon, but he progressed in his recovery Sunday. An official said that the right-hander looked "very good" during his outing, especially for a pitcher who hasn't appeared in a game in seven months. His velocity was slightly below his average speed, but the official said that the below-average velocity was to be expected at this point in his recovery. Soroka still doesn't have a timetable to return to the starting rotation, but he's made good progress in his recovery so far.

Manager Mike Shildt said Mikolas (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 32-year-old was originally expected to throw a bullpen session Sunday morning, but he instead participated in a light workout and had the session pushed back. Mikolas hasn't throw off a mound since Feb. 25, and Shildt wouldn't commit to the right-hander's availability for Opening Day.

Mikolas (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Mike Shildt previously said the 32-year-old was slated for a bullpen session Sunday morning, but the right-hander instead took part in a light workout. Mikolas was scratched from a simulated game early last week due to the shoulder issue and has yet to make it back on the mound. He missed the entirety of last season due to flexor tendon surgery, so the team is being cautious early in camp.

Hendricks threw a bullpen session Saturday instead of making a Cactus League start against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hendricks and the Cubs will see plenty of the Brewers this season, so the team decided to let the righty log a bullpen rather than face the division rivals. By throwing Saturday, Hendricks is still on schedule to start the regular season opener on April 1, though manager David Ross has not formally named an Opening Day starter.

Carrasco is expected to make his first start of spring training Friday or Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old arrived late to camp but is poised to see game action with the Mets for the first time this week. Carrasco is expected to have plenty of time to ramp up for the start of the regular season after being acquired from Cleveland in January.

Mikolas (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Mikolas was scratched from a simulated game Monday due to shoulder issues and his progress remains slow. If he checks out fine following the bullpen session, he could be cleared for game action soon thereafter, keeping him in the mix for the Opening Day roster, though the Cardinals are likely to remain cautious with him after he missed all of last season due to flexor tendon surgery. While it's a positive that his current injury woes aren't related to that issue, it's still certainly not good to see a pitcher battling arm troubles so early in camp.

Corbin threw 20 of 33 pitches for strikes in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins while mixing in his changeup and a cutter he's developing, Pete Kerzel of MASN Sports reports.

The veteran southpaw rarely used his changeup last season, throwing it only 5.6 percent of the time, but the Nats would like to see the pitch become a regular part of his arsenal. "We definitely want him to try to use it and get comfortable throwing it," manager Dave Martinez said Saturday. "It is a good pitch for him. Obviously, we've run the numbers and he doesn't throw it enough. So hopefully, once he gets comfortable, he'll start throwing it." Corbin saw his fastball velocity drop last season and he generated fewer whiffs with his slider, leading to his worst statistical season since 2016, so while adding a new pitch or two could help, it's the effectiveness of his staples that will determine how he performs in 2021.

Gallen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three over three scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Gallen became the first Diamondbacks starter to pitch a second game and progress to three innings. The right-hander told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he felt better during his second spring appearance. "I felt under control," Gallen said. "I felt like I had control of all four or five pitches. Still knocking the rust off, but overall I was pleased with how I felt." He threw 46 pitches (31 strikes) Saturday, fewer pitches than in his first appearance while getting more outs. He was particularly pleased with his curveball and changeup.

Oviedo, under consideration for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, looked impressive over two innings against the Astros in a "B" game Friday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Oviedo, along with the likes of Alex Reyes, Carlos Martinez and John Gant, is being stretched out this spring as manager Mike Shildt evaluates all of them for a potential back-end rotation spot. The 23-year-old had a relatively rough big-league initiation in 2020, pitching to an 0-3 record, 5.47 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 24.2 innings (five starts), but he opened his career with a pair of promising five-inning, two-run outings and has Shildt's confidence. "He's a guy that clearly helped us last year and has the tools to help us again this year," Shildt said. "Good start to camp in a live setting."

Flaherty impressed while throwing 50 pitches in a "B" game against the Astros on Friday, following a poor showing in his first Grapefruit League start, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "Very favorable," manager Mike Shildt said. "Everything was a lot crisper. Fastball had some good life to it, getting it by guys. Slider on the plate more, breaking out of the hand better."

The right-hander hadn't pulled any punches when describing his performance in Sunday's Grapefruit League opener against the Nationals, labeling his performance that day as "horrible". Consequently, Flaherty's performance Friday amounted to a bit of a sigh of relief, even in the wake of what was just one poor outing. Shildt particularly praised Flaherty's ability to control counts much better than in his debut, when he'd retired just one of eight batters.