MLB Player News

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.

Cabrera has been diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement, Isaac Azout of SBNation.comreports.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker referred to the injury as a "day-to-day thing," but worth noting is that Cabrera missed about a month of action last season with a similar issue. He will be evaluated again Tuesday, but a stint on the injured list at the beginning of the season would seem to be a certainty. Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer are expected to compete to fill Cabrera's rotation spot.

Manoah (shoulder) continues to play catch but does not have a timetable for when he'll throw from a mound, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah had a bullpen session last week canceled because of ongoing right shoulder soreness. While he's still able to throw on flat ground, it does not appear he'll try things from the bump anytime soon. The Blue Jays have not officially ruled Manoah out for Opening Day, but he'll undoubtedly require a stint on the injured list at this point.

Gausman (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could progress to facing hitters next, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

If Tuesday's session goes well, Gausman would then either move on to a live batting practice session or perhaps a Grapefruit League game. The right-hander has made nice progress since experiencing some shoulder fatigue and remains optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day.