MLB Player News

Flaherty is expected to open the 2018 season in the Cardinals' starting rotation, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

It was reported Sunday morning that Adam Wainwright suffered a strained left hamstring, so he'll be required to open the season on the 10-day disabled list. Flaherty, who was removed from major-league camp last Sunday, is expected to fill the void in the rotation for as long as Wainwright is sidelined. The 22-year-old is one of the top prospects in the Cardinals' system but struggled in his 2017 debut, posting a 6.33 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 21.1 innings of work. As things line up, he could be tasked with facing the Brewers twice and Reds once in his early season starts.

Wainwright was diagnosed with a strained left hamstring Sunday and will begin the season on the 10-day disabled list, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

This is a tough blow for Wainwright, who had put together an impressive spring performance and was looking to get off to a strong regular-season start following his subpar 2017 showing. The veteran could ultimately miss more than the required 10 days as he rehabs his ailing hamstring. Jack Flaherty will step into the starting rotation for as long as Wainwright is sidelined.

Milone was reassigned to the Nationals' minor-league camp Saturday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Milone, who was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, wasn't a serious candidate for the final spot in the Nationals' rotation, which ultimately fell to A.J. Cole. The lefty will likely open the campaign with Triple-A Syracuse as a depth starter or long man out of the bullpen.

Wainwright was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League start against the Nationals due to a hamstring injury, Tom Ackerman of KMOX Sports reports.

General manager John Mozeliak reported that Wainwright's injury is "hamstring related" but "hopefully not serious." Manager Mike Matheny is still scheduled to meet with the media Sunday afternoon, so more details should be provided at that time. Wainwright should be considered day-to-day as things currently stand.

Wainwright was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League start against the Nationals, Ben Federickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The details as to why Wainwright will not be making his final tuneup start this spring haven't been revealed, so it's difficult to say if this is injury-related or not. Manager Mike Matheny is scheduled to address reporters Sunday afternoon, so an update should be provided at that time. Jordan Hicks will take the mound in Wainwright's place.

Lugo is scheduled to start the Mets' fifth game of the season April 3 against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets named Lugo their fifth starter a day earlier after optioning Zack Wheeler to Triple-A Las Vegas and announcing that Jason Vargas (hand) would open the season on the disabled list. Though Vargas doesn't have a set timetable for a return, there's a chance he'll only miss one or two turns through the rotation, so Lugo isn't expected to stick in a starting role for long before transitioning to a long-relief role.

Martinez threw 55 pitches against Marlins minor leaguers Saturday in his final tuneup for Opening Day, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Matheny is keeping several starters from any exposure to the Mets' major-league squad as spring winds down, which led to Martinez getting in his final preparation for Opening Day on a back field Saturday. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out six and allowed just one run over his four innings in an unsurprisingly crisp outing. He's now set to next take the mound at Citi Field against the Mets next Thursday in his second consecutive season-opening start.

Finnegan (biceps) will remain behind in Arizona for an extra week with the team's minor leaguers when the big -eague club breaks camp, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports. He was able to pitch three innings in a spring training game Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks, striking out two.

That Finnegan was able to pitch in a big-league spring training game is encouraging, but he's on track to open the season on the disabled list. The earliest he'll pitch in a regular-season game remains April 9 against the Phillies.

Corbin will start for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day against the Rockies, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

With Zack Greinke dealing with a groin injury and Robbie Ray off schedule, the Diamondbacks will turn to Corbin to start the first game of the season. The 28-year-old posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 178:61 K:BB across 189.2 innings (32 starts, one relief appearance) in 2017. He will be followed in the rotation by Ray and Greinke.

Woodruff will start the 2018 season in the Brewers' bullpen until the team needs a fifth starter against the Cubs on April 8, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Brent Suter just edged out Woodruff for the fourth starting spot, which will force the latter to serve as long relief during the first week of the year. Milwaukee also announced that Yovani Gallardo did not make the team and Junior Guerra was optioned to Triple-A, so Woodruff seems to be locked into the back end of the rotation. Over eight starts with the club in 2017, he logged a 4.81 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.