MLB Player News

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.

Painter threw his first live batting practice session of the spring Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Painter entered Phillies camp fully healthy, but the club has been bringing him along slowly this spring after he missed nearly all of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery in July 2023. He will not make any Grapefruit League appearances and is expected to remain at extended spring training initially as he continues a slow build-up. Painter could be a rotation option for the Phillies around midseason.

Lodolo allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Athletics.

Lodolo was at his best in his third Cactus League start. He was aided by a runner getting thrown out at the plate in the fourth inning, but other than that, the left-hander cruised through 66 pitches (41 strikes). He then got in additional work in the bullpen. Reds manager Terry Francona was particularly pleased with Lodolo's curveball, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Lodolo has a 3.12 ERA with nine strikeouts over 8.2 Cactus League innings.

Darvish allowed one run on two hits and issued two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a Cactus League contest against Kansas City on Thursday.

Darvish looked better Thursday than he did in his spring debut March 8, when he allowed two runs over 2.2 frames. The veteran right-hander threw 54 pitches Thursday, 26 percent of which were curveballs -- by comparison, he went to the curve just 8.6 percent of the time during the 2024 regular season. Darvish did use his curveball more often late in the campaign last year, and his usage of the pitch in the early going this spring suggests he may continue that trend into 2025.

Dollander threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Dollander endured a tough outing in his start Saturday against the Athletics, though he managed to bounce back on the surface Thursday. However, he still struggled with his control and has now handed out six free passes across his last 5.2 innings. Dollander remains a candidate to break camp in Colorado's rotation.

Strider (elbow) is tracking toward joining the Atlanta rotation in late April, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta has been resistant to offering any specific timetable for Strider's return from an internal brace procedure on his elbow, but Feinsand hears from sources that "it's reasonable to expect" the right-hander to make his season debut toward the back end of April. Strider is close to being able to pitch in a game, either in a Grapefruit League setting or a more controlled minor-league contest.

Cabrera was forced from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros in the first inning with a blister on his right middle finger, Stephen Strom of the Marlins Radio Network reports.

Cabrera -- who has dealt with blister problems before -- lasted just 12 pitches and didn't record an out in the outing before being pulled. The right-hander has had a disastrous spring, allowing 13 runs on 11 hits and four walks over 4.2 frames. Cabrera is expected to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, although that plan might be revisited.

Cabrera was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros in the first inning with an apparent injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

De Nicola speculates that Cabrera -- who threw only two of 12 pitches for strikes before being lifted -- could be having fingernail issues, which is something he's dealt with in the past. The Marlins should update the right-hander's status shortly.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Graceffo's demotion to Triple-A comes after president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said earlier Thursday that the Cardinals prefer to continue developing the 24-year-old right-hander as a starter. Though he didn't make much of a push for a spot in St. Louis' Opening Day rotation this spring, Graceffo appeared to be in the running for a long-relief role until the Cardinals signed Phil Maton to a one-year deal Thursday. Graceffo will continue to get stretched out at minor-league camp and will make regular turns through the Memphis rotation to stay prepared in the event a starting role in St. Louis opens up at some point later in 2025.

Nunez (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Rays, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez has been slow-played this spring following a flexor strain in the second half of last season, but he's progressed well, most recently completing a two-inning live batting practice session Thursday without issue. The Mets have not ruled Nunez out for Opening Day. Having Nunez available right out of the chute would be a lift for the Mets after the righty posted a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 relief innings in 2024.