MLB Player News

Lyles (back) will start for the Royals in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lyles has been battling back spasms but got through a recent live batting practice session with no issues, clearing the way for his return to games. The veteran right-hander projects as the Royals' No. 5 starter but is being pushed by Alec Marsh and Daniel Lynch.

The Marlins optioned Meyer to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander didn't allow a run in seven innings across his three appearances during spring training, but he won't stick with the big club for the duration of camp. Meyer still shouldn't be ruled out for a spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation with both Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) likely headed for the injured list to begin the campaign. Even if Meyer does open the season in the minors, it's likely only a matter of time before the Marlins give him a look in 2024.

Weaver (neck) will throw live batting practice Wednesday, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Weaver had to be scratched from a scheduled Grapefruit League start Tuesday due to neck stiffness, but he's expected to be fine. The right-hander might be needed for some starts early on in the season for the Yankees due to Gerrit Cole's (elbow) status being uncertain.

Megill allowed one run on three hits over four innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Aside from a second-inning solo shot by Tim Anderson, Megill looked sharp once again as he built up to 61 pitches (36 strikes). With Kodai Senga (shoulder) beginning the season on the IL, Megill appears ticketed for an Opening Day rotation spot, and he's earned it with an impressive 15:2 K:BB over 12 spring innings.

Meyer gave up one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings while striking out two in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Entering the game in the fourth inning after Trevor Rogers had delivered three scoreless innings of his own, Meyer tossed 23 of 39 pitches for strikes against a plausible Opening Day lineup for the Mets. With Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera both looking at possible IL stints to begin the season due to shoulder issues, the door is open for Meyer to claim a rotation spot, and the 2020 first-round pick has made his case with a 0.00 ERA and 5:1 K:BB through seven spring innings.

Rogers gave up two hits over three scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Making his second start of the spring, the 26-year-old lefty fired 33 of 45 pitches for strikes against what could well have been New York's Opening Day lineup. Rogers is on track to be part of Miami's rotation to begin the season despite being brought along slowly early in camp, but it's not clear what kind of workload he'll be entrusted with after making only six starts across all levels in 2023 and throwing only 27 innings.

The Guardians optioned Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cantillo will be rotation insurance for the Guardians at Columbus to start the season. The left-hander has missed plenty of bats int the minors but needs to get his control in order before being considered for a big-league promotion.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Tuesday that Cole (elbow) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Boone did not have an update on the results of the MRI on Cole's right elbow, but even if the news is good, the hurler won't have enough time to ramp back up for the opener. Cole is slated for more tests Tuesday and Boone anticipates it being "a couple of days until everybody weighs in on it." Boland suspects Marcus Stroman would take Cole's spot as the Yankees' Opening Day starter, although the club hasn't made any official pronouncements yet.

Strider allowed two hits and a walk over five scoreless innings while striking out nine during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The Atlanta ace faced a mix of likely starters and bench players for Minnesota, as well as top prospect Brooks Lee, and mowed them all down. Strider has a 0.00 ERA and eye-popping 22:4 K:BB through 14 spring innings as the 25-year-old right-hander gears up for an almost certain Opening Day assignment.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that France (shoulder) could make his Grapefruit League debut this weekend, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Coming back from right shoulder inflammation, France threw two innings in a minor-league game Monday. The Astros remain optimistic that the right-hander will be part of their Opening Day rotation, although for that to come to fruition, he certainly can't afford any hiccups.