MLB Player News

Finnegan (biceps) was placed on the 10-day DL.

This was expected, as he was slated to remain in Arizona for an extra week in extended spring training while dealing with a left biceps strain. The hope is that he is able to get right and return to the rotation April 9 against the Phillies, but that is not a given.

DeSclafani (oblique) was placed on the 60-day DL.

He has a left oblique strain and last time DeSclafani dealt with that injury he ended up needing more time to recover than the typical pitcher. It's possible he returns in late May, but it wouldn't be surprising if his absence stretched into June.

Teheran will take the mound Thursday at home against Aaron Nola and the Phillies on Opening Day.

The 27-year-old is looking to rebound from his worst season since becoming a full-time starter, as he posted a 4.49 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and career-low 7.2 K/9 in 2017. Teheran's 17:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings this spring doesn't suggest he's regained any lost dominance, though, and with a horde of young pitching prospects clamoring for spots in the big-league rotation, this could well prove to be his final Opening Day assignment for the Braves -- if not his final season in an Atlanta uniform entirely.

Syndergaard will make his second straight Opening Day start Thursday at home against the Cardinals.

He becomes the first Met since Johan Santana in 2008-10 to make consecutive Opening Day starts. Syndergaard cruised through spring training, posting a 23:6 K:BB in 20 innings, and if he can avoid the type of injury that cut short his 2017 campaign, he has the dominant stuff to factor into the NL Cy Young conversation at the end of the year.

Matz will start the third game of the season for the Mets on Sunday at home against the Cardinals.

The left-hander started only 13 games last season, opening the year on the disabled list and then ending it there after surgery to re-position a nerve in his elbow, but Matz appeared healthy this spring and posted a 21:9 K:BB in 20 innings. He has yet to throw more than 132.1 innings in a big-league season, though, so while he should improve on his 6.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP from 2017, his history suggests he'll need some time off over the summer.

Freeland will start the Rockies' fifth game of the season, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The young southpaw seemingly had a leg up on the final rotation spot all spring over Antonio Senzatela, and that suspicion ultimately proved to hold true. Freeland produced a middling 4.82 ERA in 18.2 Cactus League innings, but his 15:4 K:BB is an encouraging sign. He's lined up to face off with the Padres in his first start of the season.

DeGrom will start the second game of the season for the Mets at home against the Cardinals on Saturday.

A sore back delayed the start of his spring, but deGrom's 12:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings once he was on the mound suggest it's nothing to worry about. The 29-year-old's 2017 season was a bit of a mixed bag -- his 15 wins and 10.7 K/9 were career bests, while his 1.3 HR/9 and 3.53 ERA were career worsts -- but if he can keep a few more balls in the yard, he's capable of putting together a dominant fantasy campaign.

Marquez will start the Rockies' third game of the season against the Diamondbacks.

The right-hander spent much of spring training working to incorporate his off-speed offerings -- specifically a changeup and a slider -- which may have led to some unsightly Cactus League numbers. Marquez gave up 12 runs and five walks in 11 spring innings, though he did strike out 13 hitters in that span. He still figures to be a mainstay in the Rockies' rotation this season, currently lining up to take on Zack Greinke in the final game of the opening series.

Strasburg will start the second game of the season for the Nationals on Saturday in Cincinnati.

Thursday's rainout bumps Max Scherzer back a day, but otherwise doesn't affect the Nats' rotation. Health is always a concern for Strasburg, but after posting a career-best 2,52 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 2017, the 29-year-old could be poised for a Cy Young-caliber campaign if he can make 30 or more starts.

The Phillies placed Eickhoff (lat) on the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

Eickhoff is expected to be on the shelf for at least most of April with the mild lat strain, which he suffered about two weeks ago. With Eickhoff and Mark Leiter (forearm) both on the DL and mid-March signee Jake Arrieta not ready to start for the big club until April 8, the Phillies will get by with a four-man rotation to begin the season.