MLB Player News

DeSclafani threw two shutout innings Tuesday in his spring training debut, striking out two while allowing two bloop hits. DeSclafani was encouraged by the outing afterward, MLB.com's Owen Perkins reports. "It felt good to be in a big league spring training environment and just to throw my pitches and compete," DeSclafani said. "It's definitely been a while. There's a few balls I threw today that I was like, 'Dang, those look like good pitches,' but I guess I'm back with the big league strike zone instead of the instructional league strike zone."

This was DeSclafani's first outing against major-league hitters in any venue since Sept. 28, 2016, after he missed all of the 2017 season. This was a necessary but not yet sufficient step in his quest to earn an Opening Day rotation slot.

DeGrom (back) may not be ready to pitch by Opening Day, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

DeGrom has been delayed twice this spring, first being away from the team for the birth of his daughter and subsequently while battling back stiffness. The initial reports regarding his back issue suggested that the issue was minor and that deGrom would continue his throwing progression as normal. Manager Mickey Callaway now says that his status for Opening Day is uncertain. Future reports should make it clear whether deGrom is at risk to miss a start or two.

Musgrove (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Musgrove continues to work his way back from a minor shoulder injury he suffered earlier in the month of February. This marks his second bullpen session in the past three days, and assuming he feels no ill effects Wednesday, the 25-year-old could progress to facing live hitters in the near future before ultimately making his Grapefruit League debut. Musgrove's status for Opening Day should clear up as he continues to ramp up his activity.

DeGrom is battling lower back stiffness but will continue his throwing progression, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom's spring was already delayed a few days as he was away from the team for the birth of his daughter. This back issue may delay his first start by a few more days, but doesn't seem likely to affect his availability for the start of the regular season.

Taillon made his Grapefruit League debut Monday, retiring six of seven Boston batters while striking out the final three hitters he faced.

Taillon's line from 2017 wasn't special ( 4.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP), but an xFIP of 3.89 and 125:46 K:BB in 133.2 innings show that there's reason to expect improvement. In-season treatment for testicular cancer made for a trying set of circumstances, but the righty limited opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his final six starts. While his peripherals figure to improve in 2018, he could find wins difficult to come by as the Bucs' No. 1 or No. 2 starter (following the departure of Gerrit Cole) behind a weak offense. Nevertheless, Taillon makes for a good rebound candidate in 2018.

Matz (elbow) is starting on the mound Tuesday against the Astros, Tim Britton of The Athletic New York reports.

Matz has been recovering from August elbow surgery. He'll be fighting with Jason Vargas, Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman for the final two spots in the Mets' rotation. He struggled to a rough 6.08 ERA last year in an injury-plagued 66.2 innings, but if healthy he could return to some semblance of his 2016 form, when he posted a 3.40 ERA with above-average strikeout, walk and groundball rates. His health is worth monitoring as he attempts his comeback this spring.

Lugo is competing for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lugo will likely have to outperform Zack Wheeler, Robert Gsellman and Jason Vargas to have a chance at nabbing the No. 5 spot in New York's starting rotation. The 28-year-old right-hander ended 2017 with a 4.71 ERA across 101.1 innings pitched and a 7-5 record. He could end up in a bullpen role if he fails to earn a spot in the starting five.

Castillo looks to be a lock for Cincinnati's starting rotation in 2018, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Despite starting just 15 games last season, Castillo is in a position to begin the season as a member of the starting rotation, barring a complete meltdown in spring training. He finished 2017 with a 3-7 record and recorded a 3.12 ERA across 89.1 innings. The 25-year-old will look for more run support during his 2018 campaign and is expected to rack up plenty of strikeouts as the new ace in Cincinnati.

Syndergaard threw two perfect innings and struck out two batters in Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Astros.

Syndergaard started just seven games last season, as a case of bicep tendinitis and a torn lat muscle made him unavailable for the bulk of the year. The 25-year-old righty didn't show any limitations in his first game of the 2018 Grapefruit League on Monday. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that Syndergaard threw 11 pitches that registered at 100 mph or more, and he needed just 22 pitches to get through two innings. If he's healthy, Syndergaard has the talent to be a top-five starting pitcher in 2018.

The Dodgers are bringing Buehler (back) along slowly in camp, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports. "We're slow playing Walker," manager Dave Roberts said.

Buehler apparently tweaked his back in January, and while the issue isn't thought to be anything overly serious, the Dodgers are playing it safe with the highly-regarded prospect and easing him into action early on in camp. According to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times, the 23-year-old threw a successful bullpen session Sunday and is expected to progress to facing live hitters sometime next week before making his Cactus League debut. Buehler is expected to open the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City as the Dodgers look to limit his workload, but he could join the big club's rotation in the summer if he shows improved command.