MLB Player News

Scherzer resumed playing catch Thursday after an MRI on his right thumb didn't show anything alarming, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer developed right thumb soreness following his last Grapefruit League outing and was scratched from a scheduled start Thursday. However, he'll throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday and should be able to make another spring start not long after that. Scherzer has been superb in nine frames this spring, yielding just two runs with a 14:0 K:BB.

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.

The Astros reassigned Walter to minor-league camp Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walter previously saw big-league action out of the Boston bullpen in 2023, but he was released this past August after a left shoulder strain kept him from pitching throughout the 2024 season. He joined Houston on a minor-league deal shortly after his release from Boston and was cleared for spring training, but he fell short in his bid for a long-relief role with the big club after giving up four earned runs on nine hits and three walks over seven innings across his four Grapefruit League outings. Walter will likely open the season at Triple-A Sugar Land, and he could be a candidate to work out of the rotation.

Giolito was diagnosed Tuesday with a low-grade left hamstring strain, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito suffered the injury on the first pitch he threw in his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday and was removed after completing one inning. He will be able to continue throwing, but it's uncertain if he'll be ready to make his next scheduled spring start. It's also too soon to know whether Giolito's Opening Day availability is in question, but he doesn't have much time.

Houck allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League start against Minnesota.

This was just Houck's second Grapefruit League outing and first in 11 days. He threw 62 pitches but just 30 for strikes. From a pitch-count standpoint, he's on scheduled to be ready for the first turn of the rotation in the regular season.

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.

Bido gave up two runs over five innings with four strikeouts and no walks in Wednesday's spring loss to Arizona. Despite a 9.24 ERA this spring, he still looks set to win the A's fourth starter job, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Bido made a strong impression with a 3.41 ERA and 24.3 percent strikeout rate last season, and A's management entered spring training pretty convinced he'd be part of the rotation. His improvement in Wednesday's start should help alleviate any concerns following the early spring struggles.