MLB Player News

DeGrom (back) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

According to Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record, deGrom, who is recovering from lower-back stiffness, will need to face live hitters four more times, either in simulated games or actual Grapefruit League action, before the Mets clear him for the regular season. The multiple checkpoints leave deGrom's availability in question for Opening Day, though the Mets are optimistic the right-hander will at least avoid a stint on the disabled list.

Hill held the Indians to one run on one hit while striking out four over three innings in his spring training debut Monday.

Spring training stats for a veteran with a secure rotation spot like Hill has shouldn't move the needle, but the 37-year-old has notoriously been poor in exhibition games over his career (5.57 ERA in 61 career spring training appearances), so seeing him in twirl a gem off the bat should help boost the confidence of those looking to invest in the southpaw this season. Hill took a slight step back last year after his breakout 2016 campaign, but he still managed to post strong numbers with a 3.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and stellar 11.0 K/9 in 25 starts. After two seasons of fantasy-relevant ratios, there is little doubt regarding his renaissance. The true challenge for the soon-to-be 38-year-old will be staying off the disabled list after failing to top 135.2 innings in either of his two seasons as a full-time starter.

DeSclafani gave up three earned runs on five hits over two innings Sunday against the Royals. Though he was hit hard in the game, DeSclafani wasn't discouraged by the results because he remained healthy, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

DeSclafani is still optimistic merely because he made it through the outing without any physical setbacks. "I mean it when I say it - I'm really happy that I'm healthy. Obviously, today didn't go the way I wanted it to," he said. "I'm walking out of here and my arm is feeling great. I felt like I was throwing a lot of strikes. It probably could have been more quality strikes. They put the barrel on the ball and I didn't make good pitches. Some of them found holes. Some of them were hit hard. But that's going to happen. This is my second start out of 17 months I was down when I didn't pitch against big league hitters." Health permitting, DeSclafani is expected to begin the season with a place in the Cincinnati rotation.

Finnegan (shoulder) will make his official spring training debut Tuesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Some pitchers are making their third outings early this week, so Finnegan is a little bit behind, though at least he pitched in a scrimmage last week. If he can get up to speed by the end of spring training, a rotation spot is his.

Anderson allowed one earned runs in five innings over his last two spring appearances.

Anderson allowed two runners to cross home plate in his one-inning spring debut, but he was far sharper over his last two appearances, and was so efficient in his last outing that he needed to throw additional pitches in the bullpen after leaving the game, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Anderson, the owner of a 2.83 ERA since the All-Star break back in 2016, is the favorite to get the Opening Day start for the Brewers.

Wacha (0-1) allowed two earned runs on five hits over three innings in Sunday's 4-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Astros. He also recorded a strikeout.

Wacha surrendered a third-inning solo home run to Jose Altuve among his five hits, although according to reports from Glenn Sattell of MLB.com, the veteran right-hander was especially sharp with his changeup and pleased with the way his arm felt despite giving up a pair of runs overall. Wacha stretched out to 50 pitches -- 32 of which he threw for strikes -- after he'd breezed through two scoreless innings against the Twins in his first outing Feb. 26. The Cardinals figure to push Wacha's pitch count up another notch in a likely rematch against the Astros on Friday.

Buehler (back) could throw 140 to 150 innings this year, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Buehler threw 98 innings across four levels last season, including a 9.1-inning stint in the majors in September. The 23-year-old righty is likely to begin the year in the rotation at Triple-A Oklahoma City, but the Dodgers like to rotate through a large number of pitchers and Buehler has the talent to stick with the big club when he does arrive. Buehler's value in redraft leagues will depend on what portion of those 140 to 150 innings are thrown in the majors, though this is at least a small increase over the 135-inning cap reported earlier in the offseason.

Buehler (back) will pitch in a minor-league game Monday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

This will mark Buehler's first time facing live hitters this spring, as a minor back injury prompted the Dodgers to ease him into action early on in camp. Barring any setbacks, Buehler should continue to ramp things up before ultimately making his Cactus League debut. The 23-year-old is expected to open the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but could join the Dodgers' rotation in the summer.

Darvish (illness) is scheduled to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Darvish was expected to make his spring debut last Thursday, but was ultimately scratched from the outing after coming down ill. After a few days off to recover, Darvish looks like he'll be ready to pitch Tuesday, though it's expected that the Cubs will cap him at one or two innings in the outing. Darvish is in line to open the season as the Cubs' No. 3 starter, with Jon Lester garnering the Opening Day nod and Kyle Hendricks to follow in the rotation.

Ryu (illness) is scheduled to pitch Monday in the team's B game, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNetLA reports.

Ryu will take the mound after being scratched from his last start Wednesday. Now that he's returned to health, he'll work against minor-league talent Monday.