MLB Player News

Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced that Despaigne will start the team's third game of the season Saturday against the Cubs, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Forced to compete for a starting role in spring training, Despaigne's Grapefruit League numbers weren't eye-popping (3.75 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 20:9 K:BB in 24 frames), but it was good enough for him to secure his place in a rotation lacking in quality depth and down Dan Straily (forearm) and Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) to begin the season. Neither injured pitcher has a clear timetable for a return at this point, so Despaigne should be in store for at least a few turns through the rotation. While Despaigne excels at limiting damage via the home-run ball, his lowly career 5.2 K/9 and non-elite groundball rates will make it difficult for him to ever repeat the 3.36 ERA he submitted with the Padres as a rookie in 2014.

Nicolino was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

The Reds were able to pass Nicolino through waivers unclaimed after claiming him from the Marlins over the weekend, so he'll report to Triple-A to open the season. At this point, it's unclear if the team plans to use him as a starter or long reliever in 2018. Across 48 innings with the Marlins last season, Nicolino posted a lackluster 5.06 ERA and 26:20 K:BB.

Gray was officially named the Rockies' Opening Day starter Tuesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

It's hardly an unexpected move, as Gray is clearly the best starter on the Rockies. The 26-year-old managed a 3.67 ERA and a 3.18 FIP in 20 starts last season despite eight of those coming in the worst park in the league for pitchers. He actually managed a better ERA at home (3.13) last year than on the road (4.06). Even if Coors Field inflates his ERA somewhat this year, his 24.3 percent strikeout rate makes him a solid option in most formats.

DeSclafani (oblique) is now pain-free but doesn't project to return until May or even June, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

This is similar to the last time that DeSclafani was out with a strained oblique -- his return took longer than expected and longer than many pitchers with similar injuries.

Smoker will begin the season as part of Pittsburgh's bullpen, The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

The lefty, who compiled a 3.97 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11.1 spring innings, is a benefactor of the team's decision to start 2018 with 13 pitchers. While Smoker has a chance to establish himself in a developing bullpen, the leash will likely be short if he struggles. The Mets designated Smoker for assignment in January after he registered a 5.11 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 56.1 innings.

Thompson will open the year in the bullpen after Tommy Hunter landed on the disabled list with a mild hamstring strain Monday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Thompson converted to relief earlier this spring and looked to be competing for the final spot in the pen with Victor Arano. Hunter's injury temporarily ends that battle with both Thomspon and Arano now set to make the team. If he wants to keep his spot once Hunter returns, Thomspon will have to perform a lot better than he has so far in the big leagues, as he's posted a 6.05 FIP in 100 innings, striking out 15.0 percent of batters while walking 11.2 percent. Early results from his bullpen conversion have been positive, as he's recorded a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings this spring.

Solis appears to have secured his place on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The Nationals' decision to enter the season with a four-man bench was enough to clear space for Solis, who was fighting with three other pitchers for what was previously expected to be only three spots in the bullpen. As one of three left-handers in the Washington bullpen, Solis likely won't deployed purely on a situational basis, as Matt Grace and Enny Romero are also capable of serving in that capacity. One of the three southpaws would probably be most at risk of losing their spot with the Nationals if the team elects to supplement its bench corps at any point.

Reds manager Bryan Price said Sunday that he expects Mahle to start the team's third game of the season April 1 against the Nationals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mahle is slated to make his final start of the spring Monday against the Rangers in Arlington, but even if he performs poorly in that outing, it won't overshadow his performance throughout the Reds' Cactus League schedule. He accrued a 2.75 ERA and 0.66 WHIP while striking out 15 batters in 19.2 innings in Arizona, giving the Cincinnati brass confidence that he's ready for full-time duty in the big leagues in 2018.

Lively will open the season in the Phillies' starting rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

With Jerad Eickhoff (lat) and Mark Leiter (forearm) expected to open the season on the disabled list, Lively stepped up and beat out Zach Eflin for the team's final rotation spot. The 26-year-old posted a 4.26 ERA across 15 starts for the Phillies in 2017, though that came with a 5.58 xFIP, suggesting there may have been some luck at play. He also generated a lackluster 5.3 K/9 with the big club last season, so there are likely better fantasy options out there if you're looking for a fill-in starter to open the season. Lively will likely head back to the minors once either Leiter or Eickhoff is ready to return.

Velasquez is scheduled to start the Phillies' third game of the season Saturday against the Braves, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will take the hill for the final time this spring Monday against the Pirates, likely surpassing the 50-pitch mark after having topped out at 28 pitches in his last Grapefruit League outing March 16. Velasquez's 2017 season was cut short after he required surgery to address a vascular issue in his right middle finger, but he has experienced no complications at any point this spring.