MLB Player News

Skubal allowed two runs on six hits across five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

This was the longest spring start so far for Skubal, who appears to be ready for the regular season. To no one's surprise, the lefty has been sharp during the exhibition slate, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 13.1 Grapefruit League innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner may make one more spring appearance before starting Detroit's season opener March 27, on the road against the Dodgers.

Strider (elbow) will make his first start of spring training Monday against the Red Sox, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It's a big step for Strider, who will be seeing his first game action since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his elbow last April. The right-hander will begin the campaign on the injured list, but he could make his 2025 debut in late April if he remains on schedule with his rehab.

Taillon allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 4.1 innings in Sunday's exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants. He struck out four.

With the Cubs set to take on the Dodgers in Tokyo during a two-game set March 18-19, Taillon and his teammates got the opportunity to first play an exhibition game against a team from Nippon Professional Baseball. The veteran righty looked sharp as he tunes up for his regular-season debut. That figures to come later this month after the short series in Tokyo, as Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele are slated to start those contests for Chicago. Taillon projects as a solid if not spectacular fantasy option in 2025 serving as the Cubs' No. 3 starter.

Manager Joe Espada announced Sunday that Valdez will start Opening Day against the Mets on March 27, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After posting a career-best 2.91 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB across 176.1 regular-season innings last season, it was only a matter of time before Espada named Valdez as Houston's Opening Day starter. The left-hander has focused on the movement of his pitches during spring training and overall has pitched well with a 2.53 ERA across 10.2 innings.

Manager Oliver Marmol announced Sunday that Gray will start Opening Day against the Twins on March 27, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's hardly a surprise that the veteran right-hander will be leading the St. Louis rotation, but the skipper made it official Sunday. Gray had a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 166.1 innings last season, though his two spring starts have been a bit bumpy with five homers allowed.

Scherzer (thumb) will throw in a minor-league game early this week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Orioles due to right thumb soreness. An MRI came back negative, and he remains on track to be ready for Opening Day. Across three spring outings, Scherzer has allowed two runs on three hits while striking out 14 over nine innings.

McKenzie allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.

McKenzie gave up a lot of loud contact, including two home runs, and did nothing to enhance his bid for the final spot in the rotation during his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander has allowed 10 runs (8.18 ERA) on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11 spring innings. The one thing going for McKenzie is that he's out of minor-league options. Logan Allen (1.88 ERA, 14.1 spring innings) and Joey Cantillo (7.45, 9.2 IP) are also in the mix for the final rotation spot, but each has options remaining.

Greene allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Royals.

Greene made his fifth Cactus League start and appears to be dialing it in ahead of his Opening Day assignment. After a couple of shaky outings to open the spring, Greene has allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks over 12 innings in his last three appearances. He worked his pitch count up to 74 (49 strikes) on Saturday and will make one more spring start before taking the ball for the regular-season opener March 27 against the Giants.

Rodriguez will make his next start Wednesday on a back field, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports

Rodriguez tossed 3.2 dominant innings against the Reds on Friday, and the decision to hold him out of Cactus League competition for his next start does not indicate anything other than a scheduling issue. The club plans to start Jordan Montgomery on Wednesday, so Rodriguez will get his work in while maintaining his five-day schedule.

Burnes allowed one run on four hits and struck out four over four-plus innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox.

He struck out the side in the first en route to retiring the first six batters he faced, and Burnes pitched into the fifth inning before being removed after 64 pitches (42 strikes) following a leadoff single. He owns a 1.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 13.1 spring innings. Those results -- and the contract Burnes signed during the offseason -- put him in line to start Opening Day, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has yet to decide between Burnes and Zac Gallen, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. The manager said the league is after him to name a starter and he needs to get back to them, but he wants "to be as thorough as possible." Arizona is set to host the Cubs in their March 27 opener.