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.

The Rangers optioned Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Garabito received his first taste of MLB action last year, logging a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 26.1 innings. He'll end up missing the cut for the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen despite giving up just two earned runs in 5.2 frames this spring, but he's a likely candidate to be promoted during the regular season.

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.

Gray has made two starts this spring, tossing five scoreless innings with a 3:0 K:BB.

There were reports earlier in the offseason that the Rangers might consider using Gray as a reliever and potentially, a closer. However, while it's possible the team might revisit the idea down the line, it fully intends to open the season with Gray as a member of its rotation. Gray posted a 4.47 ERA and 86:28 K:BB over 102.2 innings covering 19 starts and four relief appearances in 2024.

The Cubs are in discussions with Lynn on a one-year, major-league contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The Cubs have been on the lookout for additional starting pitching depth and Lynn is one of the few legitimate rotation options still dangling on the free-agent market. In 117.1 innings with the Cardinals last season, the 37-year-old held a 3.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 109:44 K:BB.

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.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that DeGrom won't pitch Thursday as initially planned while the right-hander recovers from a stomach virus, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom had been penciled in to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants or in a minor-league contest on the back fields of camp, but he won't be available in any capacity after he apparently fell ill overnight. Assuming he's able to quickly bounce back from the ailment over the next couple of days, deGrom should still be on track to open the season in the Texas rotation, but he can't afford to miss many more throwing sessions at this stage of camp. The Rangers had already been easing deGrom in during spring training, and he built up to 31 pitches in his first Cactus League start Saturday. DeGrom will likely need to push his pitch count into the 60-to-70 range by the end of the spring to head into his first start of the regular season without any major workload restrictions.

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.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Giolito (hamstring) will open the season on the 15-day injured list, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Giolito suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during Tuesday's Grapefruit League start versus the Phillies. He is able to continue throwing and doesn't appear headed for a long-term absence, but with Opening Day two weeks away and just one spring inning under his belt, Giolito won't have time to be ready. The Red Sox will also be without Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Kutter Crawford (knee) to start the season, so their rotation depth will be tested. Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts both appear likely to open the season in Boston's rotation.