MLB Player News

Liberatore is considered a potential future ace by multiple scouts in the Cardinals organization, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 20-year-old southpaw already impressed at two different stops in the minors with the Rays organization, and Goold says the Cardinals' consensus seems to be Liberatore is a front-of-the-rotation talent. Liberatore has already been labeled as the safest prep pitching prospect in recent years by Baseball America, with his four-pitch arsenal, command and delivery affording him considerable upside. Like many around baseball, Liberatore, who was likely ticketed for Double-A Springfield this year, will see his overall development temporarily hampered by the likely lack of a 2020 minor-league season; however, the 2018 first-round pick would presumably be a part of any baseball activities the Cardinals may organize for their minor leaguers.

Castillo was able to work out individually at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday for the first time since the facilities closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Both Great American Ballpark and the Reds facilities in Arizona have partially re-opened, without coaches and only for players that are in town. It's not much, but it's a start for some players.

Martinez should still have a strong chance of remaining in the rotation during an abbreviated 2020 season due to the likelihood the Cardinals regularly deploying six starting pitchers, Ben Fredrickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Martinez was lauded for his offseason work ethic, as he came into spring camp in good shape and then compiled 13 strikeouts over 13 Grapefruit League innings before spring training was suspended. The veteran right-hander appeared set to claim at least the No. 5 spot in the rotation when play was paused, and even if Miles Mikolas (forearm) is ready to return whenever Opening Day finally unfolds, Martinez would appear set to benefit from the likelihood of a six-man Cardinals starting rotation.

Gore could be called up to the Padres "fairly quickly, if not right away" if there is a 2020 season, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The organization's top pitching prospect struggled this spring before play was suspended, allowing three runs in 1.2 innings and notching a 2:2 K:BB. Nonetheless, Lin reports that scouts noted that he "wasn't far off," and the likelihood of expanded rosters increases Gore's chances of making his big-league debut at some point during the campaign.

Mikolas (forearm) completed a bullpen session Friday at the Cardinals' spring training facility and said he anticipates being ready for the start of the regular season, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports. "Everything's going well. If you look at June 10-ish for spring training and early- to mid-July as the point of no return, from what I understand, for a season, I think I should be ready to go," Mikolas said.

Because Mikolas was recovering from a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm when MLB suspended its season in mid-March, he has been allowed to conduct his rehab program at the Cardinals' facility while his healthy teammates have worked out on their own. Mikolas, who has been throwing off a mound for a few weeks now, estimated that he'll complete about 8-to-10 more bullpen sessions before throwing two or three innings in simulated or exhibition games, assuming teams are cleared to reconvene in early or mid-June. That should put him on pace to handle a normal starter's workload by the time the truncated season begins.

Liberatore isn't expected to see any major-league action in 2020 despite the expectation of expanded rosters, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

The 20-year-old, who was part of the January trade with the Rays that sent Randy Arozarena and Jose Martinez to Tampa, struggled in his two Grapefruit League appearances (27.00 ERA across 1.2 innings) after receiving a spring training invite upon arrival in the organization. The outlook for Liberatore, a 2018 first-round pick, is considered bright after a solid first two professional seasons, but Saxon notes the left-hander still needs plenty of seasoning before he can be asked to face big-league bats on a regular basis.

Soroka, Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb were all able to pitch against live hitters this week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

In an interview with Foltynewicz, the right-hander indicated the trio has been getting together regularly to play catch and keep arms loose at a high school near the players' homes in the Atlanta area, but Tuesday they were joined by Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Charlie Culberson. Each pitcher tossed three simulated innings of about 15 pitches against his teammates, a step up in intensity from the twice-a-week bullpens each has been throwing. Foltynewicz estimated he and the other pitchers in the group are 75-80 percent stretched out and would need about two weeks of a second training camp to be ready for the regular season, whenever it might begin, which puts Soroka in good position to build on what has been an impressive start to the 22-year-old's career.

Wainwright continues to work his arm out in some form at least six days per week, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander has not only continued his five-day-per-week throwing sessions with rotation mate Kwang-Hyun Kim, but the duo has actually upped its long-toss distance to almost 300 feet. Wainwright also reveals he's throwing to the team's bullpen catcher, Jamie Pogue, on one of the two days he's not playing catch, with the latter wearing a mask and a rubber glove on his throwing hand in order to keep the process safe. Wainwright reveals the extended layoff from baseball has helped him appreciate the game more and has also seemingly rejuvenated his arm, with the aforementioned distance achieved by him and Kim qualifying as one Wainwright hadn't managed in more than five years.

Taillon (elbow) indicated Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he's resumed throwing off flat ground four time per week.

Taillon is just under eight months removed from the second Tommy John surgery of his career and appears to have avoided any setbacks thus far in his rehab program. He should be able to get back on the mound and face hitters before the season ends, but the Pirates have already determined that he won't pitch in any games in 2020.

Stripling has been throwing off a mound twice a week, playing catch every day and lifting weights regularly, Andy McCullough and Pedro Moura of The Athletic report.

Stripling indicated that he is staying in shape during the MLB hiatus, suggesting that he'd be "as ready as I can be" if spring training were to resume immediately. The right-hander isn't expected to be in the Dodgers' starting rotation at the start of a potential 2020 season, but he is nonetheless an important component on the team's versatile pitching staff.