MLB Player News

Walker appears likely to make the Opening Day roster due to Matt Strahm's shoulder injury, but Walker could be a trade candidate this season, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After giving up just two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Walker now sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with five strikeouts across 9.1 frames to further solidify his case to be part of the Opening Day roster. Lauber notes Walker isn't a great fit for the bullpen because he's functioned as a starter for the majority of his career, but the veteran right-hander might draw trade interest if he continues to perform well. Lauber also notes the Phillies could hold onto Walker for long relief as insurance in case one of their starters gets injured, so the team does have some options while their rotation is healthy.

The Cardinals optioned Munoz to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Munoz was solid in his first spring as a Cardinal, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over seven frames. However, he owns a 6.53 ERA over 82.2 career MLB innings, so it makes sense that St. Louis would like to see him sustain success over a longer period before giving him a big-league roster spot. The 24-year-old right-hander is making the switch from starter to reliever this season, which should increase his chances at reaching St. Louis once the Cards begin searching for fresh arms to cycle into their bullpen.

Meyer revealed Friday that he's been dealing with sciatica but is hopeful of being past the issue, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear exactly when or how long the sciatica was a problem, but Meyer noted that it was affecting his velocity and command. He feels healthy now and tossed two innings in Friday's Spring Breakout game versus Cardinals prospects, allowing run run with one strikeout and maxing out at 95 mph on the radar gun.

Butto has been sitting out due to a minor groin injury but is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made four appearances in spring training prior to the injury and gave up a run on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks over 3.2 innings. Assuming Butto is able to avoid a setback, it doesn't appear the injury will affect his availability for Opening Day.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Walston will undergo Tommy John surgery, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

It's not clear when Walston was injured, but he missed time last season while at Triple-A Reno with an elbow issue. Because he's a starter and it's a full UCL repair, the left-hander will probably be sidelined until around midseason of next year.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that Holmes will start Opening Day in Houston, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He might not have been the choice if the Mets' rotation was fully healthy, but Holmes has earned the nod with a dominant spring that's seen him post a 13:4 K:BB over 9.2 scoreless innings. Holmes is making the move from bullpen to rotation this season after being used exclusively as a reliever since 2019.

The Diamondbacks optioned Henry to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander entered camp with long odds of cracking Arizona's Opening Day rotation, and he'll head to Triple-A after giving up six earned runs over 7.1 frames in Cactus League action. Henry had a 7.04 ERA across 38.1 major-league innings last year and could serve as a spot starter or long reliever for the Diamondbacks at some point this season.

The Brewers reassigned Misiorowski to minor-league camp Friday.

Misiorowski showed the good and the bad parts of his profile in his 7.2 innings this spring, striking out nine but walking five. The hard-throwing right-hander will begin the 2025 season in the Triple-A Nashville rotation and could make some starts for the Brewers this season, but a permanent shift to the bullpen remains a possibility if he can't throw more strikes.

The Marlins optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Bellozo camp into camp with a shot to win a rotation spot, but he didn't make a great case for himself in yielding 10 runs in 8.1 innings of work. The 25-year-old remains likely to make some starts for the Marlins this season but will begin the year in the Jacksonville rotation.

Cabrera's next scheduled Grapefruit League start could be skipped as he deals with a blister, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera had to be lifted from Thursday's start against the Astros after just 12 pitches with a blister on his right middle finger. The Marlins will determine a course of action with Cabrera later Friday, but there's a distinct possibility he won't be ready for the start of the season. The righty has been pummeled for 13 runs on 11 hits and four walks over 4.2 innings this spring.