MLB Player News

Wheeler threw two innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League start against the Yankees, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts.

Wheeler wasn't at his best while taking the loss, and he now holds an 11.25 ERA and 2.25 WHIP with six punchouts over two starts during spring training. Although fantasy managers would like to see Wheeler sharpen things up ahead of the regular season, the star right-hander has proven to be a model of consistency throughout his Phillies career and shapes up as one of the safer pitching options in the early rounds of drafts. Wheeler has made at least 26 starts in each of the past four seasons, and he led the National League with a 0.95 WHIP a year ago.

Williams allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 2.1 innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Angels.

Williams was off the plate more in his second Cactus League start -- 51 pitches, 31 strikes -- but he baffled opposing batters. He struck out six over his first two innings, and the right-hander induced 14 whiffs. Williams, who has nine strikeouts in 4.1 spring innings, could be a sneaky breakout candidate, per Eno Sarris of The Athletic, who notes that Williams' extension was second in the league last season. That means his pitches get to the plate quicker, and his mid-90s fastball looks faster.

The Mets reassigned Tidwell to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.comreports.

Tidwell most recently threw two perfect innings -- one of which was an immaculate inning -- Saturday in a Grapefruit League game against the Rays. However, the 23-year-old righty finished last season with a 5.93 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 85 innings in Triple-A, so the Mets will keep him in their farm system until he can demonstrate more consistent success over an extended period of time.

Sproat was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Sproat made a good first impression, tossing a pair of clean innings while touching 99 mph in his first-ever Grapefruit League appearance last Friday. A second-round pick by the Mets in 2023, Sproat is now considered by many to be the top pitching prospect in the organization, though he struggled to a 7.85 ERA in seven starts with Triple-A Syracuse down the stretch last season. The right-hander will look to improve upon that number and earn his way onto the Mets' 40-man and 26-man rosters this summer.

Burnes focused on his breaking pitches during Monday's start against the Cubs, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Burnes, who elevated his pitch count to 47, made his third Cactus League start and used it to hone his offspeed stuff. The right-hander said he still has some work to do overall but was pleased at how well the breaking stuff played.

Kopech (forearm) is throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The right-hander has had a delayed start to spring training due to forearm inflammation but is ramping up his throwing program. Kopech is in danger of being unavailable for the season-opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, with the Dodgers' domestic opener March 27 being a more realistic return target.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Henriquez won't be ready for the start of the season due to a metatarsal injury in his left foot, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Henriquez was seen in the Dodgers' clubhouse Tuesday with a walking boot on. Roberts didn't offer any additional information regarding the severity of Henriquez's injury, though it's apparently serious enough to warrant ruling him out for Opening Day already. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed one earned run in 3.1 regular-season innings with the Dodgers last year, and he had been a candidate to begin 2025 in Los Angeles' bullpen amid all the injuries to the team's pitching staff.

The Nationals reassigned Susana to minor-league camp Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Susana is the most notable among the seven the Nats cut from big-league camp. The big right-hander has yet to advance past A-ball, so he wasn't under real consideration for the Opening Day roster, but Susana is among the club's top prospects following a 2024 campaign which featured 157 strikeouts over 103.2 frames. Susana finished last season at High-A Wilmington and could either return there to start 2025 or get bumped up to Double-A Harrisburg.

The Angels reassigned Hudson to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Hudson tossed two scoreless innings over his lone Cactus League appearance, but he wasn't a serious contender for an Opening Day roster spot after submitting a lowly 6.17 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his 18 big-league starts with the Rockies in 2024. Assuming he doesn't elect free agency, Hudson will likely open the season as a member of the Triple-A Salt Lake rotation.

The Athletics announced Tuesday that Waldichuk (elbow) has been cleared to begin a bullpen progression, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

A little under 10 months removed from the Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure he underwent May 15, 2024, Waldichuk is now ready to resume mound work. Per Gallegos, the Athletics estimated that Waldichuk would require around 13 months of recovery time from surgery, so he could be ready to contribute for the big club at some point in late June or July. Presumably, the Athletics' initial plan is to have Waldichuk get stretched out as a starter during his rehab program, though he could be deployed as a reliever if the team is satisfied with its rotation options by the time he's ready to return from the injured list.