MLB Player News

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.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Thursday that Graceffo would be used as a starting pitcher if he begins the season at Triple-A Memphis, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals are looking at Graceffo for a possible bullpen role this spring, and while he's still got a shot to open the season with the big club in that role, the signing of Phil Maton on Thursday eliminates one open relief role. Mozeliak noted that Graceffo could still be used in relief with the big club later on even if he begins in the rotation at Memphis, as the club wants him on a regular schedule and with a plan to work on things. Graceffo has allowed six runs (five earned) with a 9:3 K:BB over 6.2 frames this spring.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Thursday that Liberatore is likely to open the season in the bullpen, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Liberatore has been stretched out this spring and has pitched well, allowing just two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 9.2 innings. However, while the Cardinals are not ruling out the left-hander making starts for them in the future, Liberatore has a much clearer path to opportunities in relief. The southpaw has a career 3.89 ERA as a reliever versus a 5.86 ERA as a starter.

Falter did not recover well from his catch session Wednesday and is no longer scheduled to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the move to scratch Falter was made out of an "abundance of precaution," adding that Falter is dealing with "general body soreness" and will instead play catch again Thursday before the team determines the next steps. Falter is expected to have a spot in the Pittsburgh rotation to begin the season, but this issue could throw a wrench into those plans if it delays the lefty longer than expected, with Opening Day just two weeks away.

Lowder (elbow) has been throwing off flat ground the last few weeks since being cleared by the medical staff, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lowder said he's progressing through the throwing program and believes he'll be on the "mound here shortly," although there's been no schedule established. The recently turned 23-year-old right-hander had been a candidate for the rotation, but it now appears likely he'll begin the season on the injured list before eventually heading to Triple-A Louisville. Lowder was impressive in a brief stint in the majors at the end of the 2024 regular season, posting a 1.17 ERA over six starts (30.2 innings).

Abbott (shoulder) made his spring debut in a minor-league game Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He went two innings and stuck out one.

Abbott retired the first six batters faced, and the relaxed rules on the practice field allowed him to face a fourth batter in his second inning, whom the left-hander walked. Abbott was encouraged by the results. including the ability to throw strikes and the nature of the balls put into play. After throwing 31 pitches in the game environment, he tossed 11 more in the bullpen. Abbott, who missed the final six weeks of the 2024 regular season with a left shoulder strain, was on a slower path this spring and never showed signs of injury or a setback. The Reds will examine him Thursday and figure out the next step. There's one available spot in the rotation, and the club would like to see Abbott work up to five innings. An early off day in the regular season means the Reds would not need a fifth starter for the first turn of the rotation, which would buy some time. Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers are also in the mix.