MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright will take the hill Monday looking for his first opening day win. Wainwright has pitched well in two previous opening day starts, but has failed to win them.

Fresh off signing a new extension, Wainwright will face the Diamondbacks in his third attempt at an opening day win. He had a 3.94 ERA and a 3.10 FIP in 198 2/3 innings last season. 

The Pirates moved starting pitcher Charlie Morton to the 15-day disabled list Sunday as he continues his long recovery from Tommy John surgery. Morton was restricted to throwing batting practice sessions during the spring after having the reconstructive elbow surgery last June.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn didn't have a banner spring (2-3, 4.94 ERA), but Fantasy owners need to consider starting him Week 1 (March 31-April 7).

Lynn (started 65 percent of leagues) ended the spring on a high note, going 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his last two starts. He also struck out 10 and walked just two in his final 11 2/3 innings.

Lynn's season debut will come Wednesday at Arizona. Lynn hasn't allowed a run in three career outings (one start) against the Diamondbacks. Lynn won his only start at Chase Field, which came in 2012, by firing five scoreless innings and striking out seven. I also like the fact he will be opposing Brandon McCarthy, who was winless in five spring starts, while posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

Up until Saturday morning, pitcher Nate Eovaldi was preparing to enter his first full season with the Marlins as the No. 2 starter in the team's revamped rotation. But a minor issue surrounding the right-hander's shoulder prompted further examination and an MRI exam revealed inflammation that sent him to the disabled list Sunday.

"He didn’t have any pain, he just had trouble getting loose," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said.

Eovaldi, who was joined on the DL by rotation-mate Henderson Alvarez, is expected to resume throwing next week but could miss at least a month of playing time.

Henderson Alvarez's debut with the Marlins -- and in the National League -- will have to wait. Alvarez, who was obtained from Toronto in a blockbuster trade during the offseason, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with mild right shoulder inflammation. Fellow starter Nate Eovaldi was also placed on the shelf.

Miami president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said he hopes the right-hander's injury is "no more than a month thing." The team purchased the contract of Jose Fernandez from Class A Jupiter and recalled Alex Sanabia from Triple-A New Orleans to fill the vacancies in the rotation.

Opening day won't be the only pitching assignment for Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco during the first week of the season. Thanks to some poorly timed injuries in the rotation, Nolasco is also scheduled to start the second contest of Miami's three-game set against the Mets Saturday.

Nolasco, who is entering his eighth season with the club, draws Washington during his season debut on Monday. He posted a 2-2 record with a quality 2.45 while holding the Nationals to a .209 batting average in four starts last year.

With fewer than 30 hours until the start of their season, the Marlins placed starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a shoulder injury. Fellow starter Henderson Alvarez was also placed on the shelf.

Miami president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said he hopes the issues are "no more than a month thing." The team purchased the contract of Jose Fernandez from Class A Jupiter and recalled Alex Sanabia from Triple-A New Orleans to fill the spots in the rotation.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke made his final tune-up start of the spring Saturday, against the cross-town rivals the Angels.

Greinke threw 81 pitches in the outing and looked to be in fine form, limiting the Angels to just three hits in five innings. He allowed one run, while striking out five and walking one. He lowered his spring ERA to 5.53, and seems to be showing no signs of the elbow inflammation that slowed him earlier in camp.

Greinke's elbow issue did slow him down enough in camp that he has been bumped down in the rotation. Rather than open as the team's No. 2 starter, Greinke will make his start in the team's fourth game of the season, against the Pirates Friday. The Pirates jumped on Greinke for five runs in five innings in his lone start against them a year ago. 

Given his strong performance in Cactus League games this spring, it's not surprising that Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson announced Patrick Corbin as the team's fifth starter Saturday.

Corbin put the finishing touches on his spring tryout Friday, pitching six shutout innings to lower his ERA to 3.66 in 19 2/3 innings. He beat out Randall Delgado for the final spot in the rotation.

Corbin had a 4.54 ERA in 17 starts and five appearances out of the bullpen last season. He will likely make his season debut against the Brewers in the team's second series of the season next weekend. 

Diamondbacks left-hander Wade Miley surrendered four earned runs on nine hits and two walks Saturday against the Reds to end a rocky spring. He exits Cactus League play with a 7.43 ERA and 8:6 K:BB ratio in 13 1/3 innings.