MLB Player News

Rodriguez was removed from Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs with a potential injury, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After getting through the first inning of Tuesday's contest, Rodriguez seemed to experience some discomfort while warming up before the second frame. It's unclear what exactly was bothering Rodriguez, but the D-backs will take a closer look at him and should provide details in the near future.

Abbott will open the regular season in the Reds' rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Brandon Williamson is set to miss the first several weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, meaning Abbott will claim the fifth and final spot in Cincinnati's rotation, at least until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is ready to return. Abbott hasn't had a particularly impressive spring, giving up seven earned runs in eight innings, but the 24-year-old southpaw had a successful enough rookie campaign to support the notion he'll bounce back during the regular season.

Williamson (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson left Sunday's game against Cleveland early due to shoulder soreness, and his injury is apparently severe enough to cause him to miss the first few weeks of the regular season. Manager David Bell said Tuesday that Williamson will be shut down from throwing for a couple of days, and there is no timetable currently in place for his return. With Williamson out, Andrew Abbott will fill the final spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation.

Cobb (hip) is scheduled to throw three innings during one of Friday's split-squad Cactus League games against the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chroniclereports.

The veteran right-hander struck out five in two hitless frames during a minor-league spring game Saturday and is now scheduled for his first Cactus League outing. Cobb underwent hip surgery in October and was initially expected to make his return during the middle of the summer, but he's significantly ahead of schedule in his recovery. A stint on the injured list to begin the season is still the expectation, but at this rate, Cobb could be ramped up for his season debut just a few weeks into the season.

Urquidy (forearm) is hoping to resume throwing in 10-to-15 days, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy will be shut down for a bit after an MRI revealed right forearm inflammation. The good news is the exam showed no issues with his UCL, so the hope is that a little rest and treatment will allow things to clear up. Urquidy will need time to be built back up, so a return before the end of April seems unlikely even in a best-case scenario.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Urquidy (forearm) will be shut down from throwing "for a while," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy was diagnosed with a right forearm strain Monday and it sounds like he will be given an extended period of rest, although Espada's update didn't offer much in the way of specifics. The Astros will also be without Justin Verlander (shoulder) for a while, leaving J.P. France and Ronel Blanco to fill the final two spots in the rotation indefinitely.

The Phillies optioned Allard to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old joined the Phillies on a one-year, $1 million contract in January, but he'll unsurprisingly begin the campaign at Lehigh Valley since he still has a minor-league option. Allard missed the second half of last season due to left shoulder nerve irritation and made just six appearances between the majors and Triple-A.

The Brewers re-assigned Gasser to minor-league camp Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

While he didn't wind up cracking the Opening Day rotation, Gasser impressed this spring and seems poised to get a shot with the big club before long. The southpaw permitted three runs with an 11:2 K:BB over 10 innings during Cactus League action. He'll join Triple-A Nashville's rotation for now.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that Bradish's right elbow is responding "well right now" to the pitcher's throwing program, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Bradish resumed mound work last Wednesday after weeks of flat-ground throwing. While the right-hander has thrown almost all fastballs, Hyde admitted that Bradish "might have spun a couple breaking balls," as well. It remains relatively early on in Bradish's rehab from a partially torn UCL, but so far things have progressed as well as can be expected.

The Guardians announced Tuesday that Bieber will start Opening Day against the A's on March 28, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

It's hardly a surprise the right-hander is taking the mound for Cleveland, as it will the fifth consecutive season he's started Opening Day. Bieber was limited to 21 starts last season due to an elbow issue and had a 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 107:34 K:BB over 128 innings. He'll open 2024 versus a favorable opponent in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in MLB.