MLB Player News

Gausman (shoulder) felt good after a 36-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.careports.

The right-hander continues to ramp up his workload after a bout of shoulder fatigue slowed him down in early March. The next step for Gausman is to get into a game, with the goal being to progress to 60-to-65 pitches across three innings early next week. The 33-year-old won't be ready for Opening Day, but at this rate he should be able to join Toronto's rotation within the first couple weeks of the season.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Wednesday that Megill made the club's season-opening rotation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The 28-year-old entered camp in competition to be the Mets' No. 5 starter with Kodai Senga (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, and Megill delivered a solid showing during spring training with a 3.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 15.2 frames to win the job. The right-hander got stretched out to 76 pitches in his previous Grapefruit League start over the weekend and should begin the campaign with a full starter's workload. Megill made 25 starts for New York last season and had a 4.70 ERA 1.58 WHIP and 105:58 K:BB over 126.1 innings.

The Mets optioned Butto to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Butto put his best foot forward this spring in the competition for the final spot in the Mets' rotation, yielding just one run with a 9:2 K:BB over 10 innings. However, the team ultimately decided on Tylor Megill to round out the rotation. Butto will join Syracuse's rotation for now but will still probably be needed to make some starts for the Mets this season.

Gipson-Long (groin) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a left groin strain a month ago. The injury has prevented Gipson-Long from being part of the rotation competition for the Tigers, but he is trending toward being ready or close to it for the start of the minor-league season.

Darvish tossed 3.2 innings against the Dodgers in a no-decision in South Korea on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and three walks while striking out three batters.

Darvish began his outing inauspiciously by walking Mookie Betts on a pitch-clock-violation ball four, but he retired six of the next seven batters to get through two frames unscathed. However, the Dodgers made him work in the third, putting three straight runners on base with two outs. While Darvish was able to escape without giving up any runs by striking out Max Muncy with the bases loaded, the 32 pitches he threw in the frame led to him being pulled before he could get through four full innings. The short start isn't much of a surprise given the nature of the mid-March Opening Day assignment, and Darvish should be able to work up to a higher pitch count as he settles in to the regular season.

Glasnow tossed five innings, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three batters in a no-decision against the Padres in South Korea on Wednesday.

Glasnow retired six of the first seven batters he faced before a Tyler Wade walk, a wild pitch and a Xander Bogaerts single gave the Padres their first run in the third inning. Glasnow ran into more trouble in the fourth, as he walked the inning's first two batters before Jurickson Profar notched a bunt single to load the bases, but the right-handed hurler then induced a double play and escaped the jam with just one more run on his ledger. The Dodgers' new ace finished his outing with a 1-2-3 fifth frame, ending with 77 pitches (including 44 strikes). Aside from the four free passes, Glasnow looked strong in his Los Angeles debut, and he can be expected to even out his control as the campaign progresses after posting a walk rate south of eight percent each of the past three seasons.

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to minor-league camp toward the beginning of March, but he will rejoin the big-league club for their opening series in South Korea as Blake Treinen (chest) begins the year on the injured list. Knack has yet to pitch in the majors, but he turned in a 2.93 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 43 innings at Oklahoma City last season. Knack has been used almost exclusively as a starter in his minor-league career, but he will likely come out of the bullpen for the Dodgers as a multi-inning option.

The Dodgers placed Buehler (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Buehler has spent the spring recovering from his August 2022 Tommy John procedure, and he will require a bit more time before he rejoins the Dodgers' rotation. Buehler was able to touch 97 mph with his fastball during a live batting practice session Tuesday -- an encouraging sign that his rehab process is going well. That being said, Buehler is likely still a month or two away from making his season debut.

The Dodgers placed Sheehan on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right forearm inflammation.

Manager Dave Roberts previously said Sheehan would begin the season on the injured list, but it's worth noting that he is dealing with a forearm injury rather than the general soreness the manager had previously reported. Sheehan will be out until at least April 3, but a longer absence may be in store.

Crawford allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six over 5.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Rays.

Crawford allowed three singles, two stolen bases and two runs in the first inning, then retired 17 of the final 18 batters faced. He threw 68 pitches (50 strikes) in what was his fourth Grapefruit League start and will get one more Grapefruit League outing. It's been quite the spring for Crawford, who sports a 1.98 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and no walks through 13.2 innings.