MLB Player News

Walker took the loss in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees after giving up six runs (three home runs) on nine hits and two walks with just one strikeout in 3.2 innings, but Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia believes the right-hander could play a meaningful role to open the season.

With Ranger Suarez dealing with mild back stiffness, it's become uncertain whether he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. If Suarez is unable to make his first turn in the rotation or needs to begin the campaign on the injured list, Walker is the next man up on the depth chart to fill his spot. The right-hander is in line to get one more start this spring, and regardless of role, he's all but guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster despite carrying 6.92 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with six punchouts over 13 frames in exhibition play. Walker's name has been previously mentioned in trade rumors, but a deal seems unlikely at this point given Suarez's injury and the remaining two years and $36 million left on Walker's contract.

Matz limited the Nationals to one run over six innings in Grapefruit League action Wednesday.

The left-hander permitted just four hits and two walks while recording a pair of strikeouts and getting his pitch count up to 85. Matz has fanned only 11 batters over 17.2 frames this spring, but he's allowed just five runs and looks to have a firm grip on a rotation spot in St. Louis.

Suarez underwent tests after feeling tightness in his back Sunday, one day after pitching in an intrasquad game, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson contends that the back issue is "not as bad" as the one that cost Suarez more than a month of action during the second half last season. However, he will not start Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the Blue Jays and more will be known about his status within the next 2-to-3 days. If Suarez is not ready for the start of the season, Joe Ross could slide into the Phillies' rotation in his place.

Gasser (elbow) has advanced his throwing program to flat-ground throws from 120 feet, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The next step for Gasser -- who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery -- could be to throw from the mound. Gasser is eyeing a return in August or September of this season.

Cavalli (elbow) is expected to start the season on the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Cavalli is considered healthy this spring after being limited to just 8.1 innings over the last two seasons following March 2023 Tommy John surgery. However, he has not made any Grapefruit League appearances and the Nationals plan to manage his workload in the first half of the season. Cavalli could be a factor with the big club after the All-Star break, but the club will bring him along slowly.

Canning gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out nine.

The right-hander built up to 71 pitches (45 strikes) in a dominant outing that was blemished only by a Josh Lowe solo shot in the first inning. Canning was never able to reach his potential with the Angels, but he may have figured something out with the help of the Mets' coaching staff. Over 10 Grapefruit League innings he's delivered a stunning 16:2 K:BB, and Lowe's homer marked the first run he's allowed this spring.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Jones has already had imaging on his sore right elbow and is waiting on a second opinion, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

A second opinion on an injury typically isn't sought out if the first opinion is favorable, so the news is less than ideal. However, Tomczyk added that "I don't want to be an alarmist" and was quick to point out that the team is still in the information-gathering stage. Jones will not pitch again during spring training and a stint on the injured list is highly likely, but the bigger concern here is if the right-hander needs surgery. More on Jones' status should be known in the coming days.

Nunez struck out one in a scoreless inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The right-hander was brought along slowly in camp after arm trouble derailed his second half in 2024, but Nunez looked just about ready for Opening Day in his first game action of the spring Monday. He needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through some Tampa Bay minor-league hitters in the seventh inning, and per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Nunez topped out at 98 mph with his fastball. "I was very grateful to get back out there," Nunez said through an interpreter after the game. "I feel healthy, I feel strong. I'm trying to avoid having any setbacks... I'm just trying to continue to push forward." Nunez was a breakout bullpen star in the first half of last season, and he finished the campaign with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB through his first 35 big-league innings. If he can stay on the mound, the 28-year-old could be a key setup man for Edwin Diaz in 2025.

Gillispie allowed one run on two hits and two walks over four innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 27-year-old right-hander built up to 51 pitches (26 strikes) as he looks to secure the spot in the Marlins' rotation created with Edward Cabrera (blister) set to begin the season on the IL. Gillispie made his big-league debut with the Guardians in 2024, working eight innings over three relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA and 8:5 K:BB, and his numbers at Triple-A also showed a bit of promise as he struck out 119 batters in 113.1 innings for Columbus. Pitching for Miami won't provide Gillispie with much fantasy appeal, but he could be worth a dart throw in NL-only formats.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Knack struck out three over two scoreless innings and picked up a win in Wednesday's victory over the Cubs in the second game of the Tokyo Series. However, it appears he will not be included on the Dodgers' roster for their domestic opener. Knack should operate as a starter with Oklahoma City but could rejoin the Dodgers later in the season either in the rotation or bullpen.