MLB Player News

Buehler (elbow) threw three innings of live batting practice recently and his fastball was up to 97 mph, per the Just Baseball Show podcast.

This news was directly from Buehler on the podcast, with the pitcher also stating that he hasn't had much problem with the "up-down" this go around, so it sounds like he is progressing with his throwing program. Buehler wouldn't be able to throw a full season in the majors this year regardless of how ready he is now, so the Dodgers are slow playing him out of the gates. He is expected to open the year on the injured list and he could join the rotation sometime in the first couple months of the season.

Webb will start for the Giants on Opening Day against the Padres, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The Padres have not yet revealed their starter for that day, as they're presumably waiting for the conclusion of their March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers. Webb getting tabbed by the Giants is no surprise, of course, following a National League Cy Young runner-up campaign that saw him collect a 3.25 ERA and 194:31 K:BB over 216 innings covering 33 starts.

Peralta has been named the Brewers' Opening Day starter, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

With Corbin Burnes now in Baltimore, the Opening Day duties for the Brewers were inevitably going to fall to Peralta. The 27-year-old held a 3.86 ERA and 210:54 K:BB over 165.2 innings covering 30 starts for Milwaukee in 2023. He'll be going up against the Mets' Jose Quintana on March 28.

Strider has been named Atlanta's Opening Day starter, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

You could have made a case for Max Fried given his tenure with the club, but Strider is the sensible choice after he won 20 games while piling up a league-leading 281 strikeouts last season. It will be a marquee matchup on March 28 in Philadelphia, with Strider going up against Zack Wheeler.

The Angels announced Tuesday that Sandoval will start Opening Day against the Orioles on March 28, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

The left-hander made a career-high 28 starts last season but took a step back with a 4.11 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 128:74 K:BB across 144.2 innings, so it's a bit of a surprise he'll get the nod Opening Day. Sandoval also wasn't particularly sharp during spring training with a 7.15 ERA and 10:6 K:BB over 11.1 innings, and he'll have a tough matchup in Baltimore to begin the campaign.

Manager Bruce Bochy announced Tuesday that Eovaldi will start the Rangers' March 28 season opener versus the Cubs in Arlington.

Eovaldi will be opposed by left-hander Justin Steele. Even before Bochy confirmed Eovaldi as the Opening Day starter, the 33-year-old right-hander looked like the clear choice for the defending World Series champs after going 5-0 in six postseason outings, collecting a 2.95 ERA and 41:10 K:BB over 36.2 innings along the way.

Freeland will start on Opening Day for the Rockies.

He'll take the ball March 28 on the road against the Diamondbacks. Freeland has had a strong showing this spring, displaying increased velocity and posting a 3.21 ERA and 14:1 K:BB over 14 innings. He's not an advisable fantasy start at home but could be considered as a streaming option on the road.

Manager John Schneider announced Tuesday that Berrios will start the Blue Jays' season opener March 28 versus the Rays in Tampa Bay, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The assignment likely would have fallen to Kevin Gausman (shoulder), but he's still getting ramped back up and won't be ready for Opening Day. Berrios made 32 starts for Toronto last season, finishing with a 3.65 ERA and 184:52 K:BB over 189.2 innings.

Manoah (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he developed soreness in his right shoulder at the beginning of the month. Manoah is set for a stint on the injured list at the beginning of the season and a timetable should become clearer as he ramps up.

Gausman (shoulder) will throw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Gausman is continuing his ramp-up progression as he works his way back from right shoulder fatigue. The veteran hurler will not be ready for Opening Day, an assignment that will now fall to Jose Berrios. Gausman could be ready for his season debut around mid-April.