MLB Player News

Davies is set to miss one Cactus League start due to a minor left oblique strain, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Manager Craig Counsell stated that this injury isn't considered serious but the club will stress precaution with the right-hander as Opening Day looms just three weeks away. He will test the oblique during a bullpen session within the next few days to determine whether he will need more time to recover. Davies posted a 3.90 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over a career-high 191.1 innings last season, and was able to find a groove in the second half of the campaign to cement a spot in the Brewers' rotation for 2018.

Flaherty compiled seven strikeouts and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk over four innings in Tuesday's 4-4 Grapefruit League tie with the Marlins.

The 22-year-old right-hander doubled up his workload from his first two outings and was impressive from a swing-and-miss perspective. Flaherty did get touched up for a two-run home run by Lewis Brinson in his final frame, but he gave up only a single otherwise. It was an encouraging turn for the starting-rotation hopeful, who now has a 12:3 K:BB over eight frames in three spring training appearances.

Ryu pitched 2.2 innings in a 'B' game Monday against the White Sox before reaching his pitch count, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Although he was scratched from a scheduled start last week due to an illness, the Dodgers expect Ryu to have enough time left this spring to get completely stretched out prior to the first week of the regular season. During Monday's outing, Ryu was tinkering with his curveball, with the hope of increasing the spin rate of the pitch. Health permitting, Ryu will be counted on as one of the Dodgers' regular rotation members this season after he racked up 116 strikeouts in 126.2 innings over 25 games (24 starts) last season.

Teheran has been working on throwing more first-pitch strikes this spring, in addition to increasing the use of his changeup in order to become less predictable, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The changeup was Teheran's best weapon when he broke into the big leagues several years ago, but he was throwing the pitch at the second-lowest rate of his career in 2017. In addition to struggling with his changeup, Teheran's slider was less effective last season, and he leaned on his fastball at his highest clip (64.5 percent) since 2012. With an improving lineup around him, Teheran could bounce back from a disappointing campaign if he's able to regain the effectiveness of his secondary pitches.

Mikolas threw a round of live batting practice instead of his regularly scheduled bullpen session Tuesday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Mikolas has struggled through his first two Grapefruit League starts, generating an unsightly 19.29 ERA and 0-2 record in the process. The change in routine was designed to give both manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Mike Maddux a first-hand look at Mikolas facing live batters, in an effort to identify what adjustments the right-hander might need to make. Mikolas is slated to next take the mound Friday against the Astros.

Making his Cubs debut, Darvish went two innings and picked up the win in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He didn't allow a hit, but did walk two and also uncorked two wild pitches while striking out four.

This was an eventful game for Darvish, who admitted to being nervous making his Chicago debut against his former team, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. Though Darvish was a bit wild, the Cubs were surely just happy to see their big offseason acquisition take the mound after having this start bumped back from Thursday due to illness. Darvish will likely get a few more appearances in spring training before slotting in as the team's No. 3 starter to begin the season.

Musgrove (shoulder) faced live hitters for the first time this spring Monday, Jim Colony of 93.7 The Fan reports.

Musgrove has been limited in spring training thus far due to discomfort in his right shoulder, but it seems like he's continuing to make progress in his recovery. The former Astro commented that he didn't throw many breaking balls, focusing more on fastball command during the session. He expects to make a few appearances in minor-league games before making his Pirates spring debut in about a week and a half. Musgrove insists that this will keep him on pace to be 100 percent for the regular season if he's asked to start.

Graves is dealing with a left oblique strain, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Graves suffered the injury during Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Cardinals, exiting with a trainer in the first inning after recording just two outs. The Marlins have yet to announce a possible timetable for Graves' return, but oblique injuries tend to linger, and depending on the severity of the issue, the Rule 5 pick could very well be sidelined beyond Opening Day. Look for a more concrete timetable to emerge in the coming days, once he's further evaluated.

Graves was removed from Tuesday's spring game in the first inning with an apparent injury, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Graves left the field with the Marlins' trainer after recording two outs in the first inning. Specifics regarding the issue remain unclear, but look for an update on his status sometime after the conclusion of Tuesday's contest. The Rule 5 pick allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter prior to exiting.

Hendricks is working with new Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey to fine-tune his curveball during spring training, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

For his career, Hendricks has used the curve just under eight percent of the time, so it's not something hitters see that much of. The righty has instead mainly relied on a fastball-changeup combo. Perhaps Hendricks will use the pitch more this season if he becomes more comfortable with it during the spring.