MLB Player News

Martinez, who enjoyed a successful run in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, enters spring training focused on regaining a spot in the starting rotation, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "I feel great with all my pitches," said Martinez. "One hundred percent focused. On my mind, focused, on my workout, focused, on working hard. ... If I didn't play in the winter league, I wouldn't [be as prepared] right now."

The veteran right-hander was felled by COVID-19 during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, and as an asthmatic, he was clearly suffering residual effects once he returned. Martinez generated an unsightly 9.90 ERA and 2.10 WHIP -- both career-worst figures -- across 20 innings over five starts before landing on the injured list with an oblique strain in the final week of the season. However, Martinez made up for some lost time this winter, opting to play in the Dominican Republic for the first time since the 2014-15 offseason and posting a 1-0 record and 1.84 ERA in three starts while working on refining his pitch combinations. Battery mate Yadier Molina went 0-for-3 against Martinez while facing him in the Caribbean Series and noted the pitcher looked stronger and more poised on the mound. Despite the momentum he carries into spring camp, Martinez will still be challenged to carve out a rotation spot, considering there is only one vacancy at present and the promising Alex Reyes remains very much in the mix for it.

Clevinger (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The move was an expected one, as Clevinger will miss the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in November. He'll vacate a 40-man roster spot, allowing the Padres to officially add new signee Mark Melancon.

Strasburg (hand) is in "preparation mode, not rehabilitation mode" per general manager Mike Rizzo and will throw a bullpen session Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg made just two poor starts last season before being shut down with carpal neuritis and eventually undergoing surgery. The uncommon injury raises some doubts about his ability to return to form, especially considering that he hasn't exactly been a paragon of health throughout his 11-year career. The Nationals' confidence in him is undoubtedly a good sign, but he'll need to demonstrate that health on the mound this spring before that confidence can be shared by fantasy players.

Davies could be the No. 3 starter behind Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta to open the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Davies was shipped to Chicago in December in the trade that sent Yu Darvish to San Diego. The Cubs have also parted ways with Jon Lester and Jose Quintana this offseason, so Davies will certainly have an opportunity to seize a prominent role with the Cubs. The 28-year-old posted a strong 2.73 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 69.1 innings last season.

Hendricks said he is ready to take on a "full load" this season, though manager David Ross said he'll be careful with the righty's workload, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

No one took on a full workload in 2020, as MLB condensed its regular season to 60 games. However, Hendricks was third in the majors with 81.1 innings, and the team is going to be cautious as it builds him back up for a full slate of games. "We've got to be careful with that," Ross said. "I think Kyle is a guy who stays in great shape; he is very durable and we trust in the innings that he can give us. But we're going to be smart." Hendricks logged 177 innings in 2019 and 199 in 2018.

Gray is a candidate to have his innings monitored more closely than usual in what is expected to be a common trend among teams in both leagues during the 2021 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I don't think anyone truly knows what to expect," Gray said. "Do you shorten it at the front to be able to continue it at the back? Do you come out guns blazing and just see what happens? What do you do? I'm sure different organizations will have a philosophy on that. I trust D.J. with everything, as you guys know."

Gray seems like a good candidate to see his innings somewhat curtailed given his injury history, which includes a trip to the IL in 2020 with a back issue. The Reds previously said that they probably intend to go with a five-man rotation as opposed to a six-man one, so that's one route that's not likely.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Cavalli would be invited to big-league spring training as a non-roster player.

Cavalli, 22, was nabbed by Washington with the No. 22 overall pick in last year's first-year player draft. Though he has yet to make his professional debut, the right-hander is already widely viewed as Washington's top pitching prospect thanks to his big frame (6-foot-4, 226 pounds) and an advanced repertoire highlighted by a plus slider. Cavalli is not without some risk, however, having missed time during his college career at Oklahoma due to back and arm injuries.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Rutledge will be invited to big-league spring training as a non-roster player.

The 21-year-old didn't appear in affiliated ball in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor-league season, but he was still able to continue his development at the Nationals' alternate training site in Fredericksburg and in the instructional league during the fall. The right-hander -- who is widely regarded as one of the top arms in the Washington system -- is expected to spend most of the upcoming season in the upper levels of the minors.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Mejia won't be available for the start of spring training due to visa issues, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Along with Mejia, fellow international players Humberto Castellanos and Carlos Navas will also be delayed arrivals to camp while awaiting clearance to travel to North America. Mejia was acquired from the Marlins in the offseason after giving up six runs in 10 innings over three appearances in his inaugural MLB campaign in 2020.

Syndergaard (elbow) looked good while throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Syndergaard was sidelined for the entire 2020 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. He's been progressing well in rehab, and manager Luis Rojas said the right-hander remains on track to return around June following his successful bullpen session on the first day of spring training.