MLB Player News

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Falter will be included in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Earlier Monday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com confirmed that Falter had made the roster, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the southpaw would begin the season in the rotation or work in long relief. Shelton brought clarity on that front when he spoke to the media, with Falter's inclusion in the rotation seemingly indicating that Luis Ortiz has missed out on the No. 5 starter's role and will be ticketed for the bullpen or for Triple-A Indianapolis. Additionally, Shelton mapped out the rotation through the Pirates' first five games, noting that Falter is set to make his first turn in Sunday's series finale in Miami. Over 18 appearances (14 starts) between the Phillies and Pirates in 2023, Falter went 2-9 with a 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB over 80.2 innings.

Odorizzi won't be included on the Rays' Opening Day roster with Tampa Bay expected to begin the season with Tyler Alexander as the No. 5 option in its rotation, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Odorizzi is fully healthy again after missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, but after he had been a free agent all offseason until signing a minor-league deal with the Rays on March 15, he didn't have sufficient time to make a case for the final spot in the big-league rotation. The right-hander's next steps remain unclear, but he could elect to continue ramping up at the Rays' extended spring training facility over the next few weeks with the hope of eventually gaining consideration for the big-league roster. If Alexander falters in his role as a No. 5 starter/bulk reliever, long reliever Jacob Waguespack would likely be next in line before Odorizzi to fill the void, at least until either of Shane Baz (elbow) or Taj Bradley (pectoral) is cleared to return from the injured list.

Steele (knee) declared himself ready to start Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers in Arlington after he threw a bullpen session Monday without incident, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Even though he left early in his final Cactus League start Friday against the Giants due to a left knee contusion, Steele never appeared to be in legitimate danger of missing out on the Opening Day assignment. Before hurting his knee Friday, Steele had built up to 64 pitches and four innings in his prior Cactus League start March 12, so he should be capable of giving the Cubs at least 75 pitches and five innings in Thursday's opener. The 28-year-old lefty is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign in which he went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 176:36 K:BB over 173.1 innings en route to a fifth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.

Gausman (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over three-plus innings Monday in his Grapefruit League start against the Pirates.

After he experienced shoulder fatigue earlier this month and had his throwing progression slowed as a result, Gausman was finally cleared to make his spring debut in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League finale. The right-hander seemed to quell any concerns about his readiness for the start of the regular season, as he built up to 52 pitches and induced eight swinging strikes while sporting a fastball that sat at around 95 miles per hour, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. Unless Gausman reports renewed discomfort in his shoulder coming out of Monday's start, he should avoid a stint on the injured list and will likely take the bump for Toronto when a fifth starter is first needed April 1 in Houston. Gausman is likely to be limited to around 65-to-70 pitches in that outing, but he may still be worth including in fantasy lineups since he would tentatively line up for a two-start week, with the second turn coming April 7 on the road versus the Yankees.

Miley (shoulder, groin) will throw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

If the sim game goes off without a hitch, Miley will then report to Triple-A Nashville, where he'll make a couple rehab starts. The veteran left-hander missed most of spring training with a shoulder injury and, more recently, a groin issue. He will begin the season on the 15-day injured list but would seem to have a shot to be activated when first eligible April 9.

Taillon (back) will throw one inning of live batting practice Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He'll then face hitters again Friday and, if that goes well, will make an appearance in a minor-league game after that. Taillon is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-April with his back injury, and a clearer timetable for his return won't be available until he makes some rehab appearances.

Littell allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

After going most of the exhibition season without a blemish to his ERA, Littell ran into a bit of trouble in his final tuneup. Still, it was an impressive spring as Littell had a 13:3 K:BB and did not allow a homer in 13.1 innings. He quietly had a strong run with the Rays last year and has become a popular mid-to-late pick in recent fantasy drafts. The right-hander will start Tampa Bay's third game of the season, Saturday at home against the Blue Jays, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

General manager Ben Cherington said that Jones will start the Pirates' third game of the regular season Saturday in Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cherington confirmed that Jones will be part of the Pirates' Opening Day roster, though Pittsburgh still has yet to officially select the 22-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster. Heading into spring training, Jones looked to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot with the big club, but he made it impossible for the Pirates to leave him off the roster after he allowed just three unearned runs to go along with a 15:8 K:BB in 16.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. Like most young pitchers, control will likely be a concern for Jones in his first taste of the big leagues, but the strikeout upside he displayed in the spring as well as in every stop of the minors make him a worthy late-round target in fantasy drafts.

Woodruff (shoulder) confirmed Saturday that he won't pitch during the 2024 season but expects to return to full strength for 2025, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "Honestly, I'm going [to] be the strongest I'll ever be at any point in my career because I'm going [to] have a year and just basically get my body ready for pitching," Woodruff said.

The Brewers non-tendered Woodruff in November, about a month after he underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He reunited with Milwaukee in February on a two-year, $7.5 million deal, with both parties recognizing that the 2024 portion of the contract would be dedicated to rehab and recovery. Since having surgery in the fall, Woodruff seems to be encouraged with where he stands five months later. He's already started playing catch again and could advance to throwing off a mound at some point during the summer. Milwaukee placed Woodruff on the 60-day injured list Feb. 21, and he'll remain off the 40-man roster for the entire season before being reinstated.

Falter was informed Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stumpf relays that prospect Jared Jones will be included in the Opening Day rotation, but it's not yet clear whether Falter, Luis Ortiz or someone else will fill the fifth and final starting spot. Falter doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so if he misses out on a rotation spot, he would most head to the bullpen since he would have to be moved off the 40-man roster in order to be eligible to pitch in the minors.