MLB Player News

Canning appears likely to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Frankie Montas (lat) was already expected to be sidelined into May, so the Mets' rotation depth is being tested early. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson are the only locks for starting jobs right now, with Canning, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn (back) competing for the remaining spots, but if New York sticks with its plan to use a six-man rotation, there would be room for all three. The Mets have three off days in the first 15 days of their schedule however, so they could delay those plans until mid-April.

Megill appears likely to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Frankie Montas (lat) was already expected to be sidelined into May, so the Mets' rotation depth is being tested early. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson are the only locks for starting jobs right now, with Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn (back) competing for the remaining spots, but if New York sticks with its plan to use a six-man rotation, there would be room for all three. The Mets have three off days in the first 15 days of their schedule however, so they could delay those plans until mid-April.

May allowed one hit and struck out one batter over one scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League game against San Diego.

It was a successful return to game action for May, who missed all of last season while rehabbing from the right elbow surgery he underwent in July of 2023. The fireballer had resumed throwing off a mound last summer but had his progress halted when he needed throat surgery for an esophageal tear in July. May now appears to be back to full health, and he could either win a spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation or open the campaign as part of the team's bullpen.

Murphy has been diagnosed with a mid-back disk herniation and is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Murphy was given an epidural injection and will be re-evaluated in a few weeks. The 33-year-old entered camp as the favorite to be the Giants' backup catcher behind Patrick Bailey, but now Sam Huff and Max Stassi will compete for that gig. The Giants have also promoted Adrian Sugastey from the minor-league side of camp to supplement their catching depth.

Fitzgerald (back) has been cleared for full baseball activities and is expected to be ready for Cactus League games by this weekend, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Fitzgerald developed a lower-back injury early on in camp but has been progressing well since then. The 27-year-old will do some hitting and field grounders Monday and should be ready for game action in a few days. He's projected to open the season as the Giants' regular second baseman.

Ramos (oblique) will throw Monday and likely resume hitting Thursday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The young outfielder tweaked his oblique while dodging a pitch during a recent live batting practice session. If that all goes well this week, Ramos should be ready for his Cactus League debut March 4. He has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Madrigal will be "out for a long time" after being diagnosed with a fractured left shoulder, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Madrigal had already been diagnosed with a shoulder dislocation, and further testing has revealed additional damage. There's no clear timeline yet for how long he might be sidelined, but it will likely be several months. With Madrigal out, Luisangel Acuna could have a better chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster.

Manaea has been diagnosed with a right oblique strain and is expected to begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manaea will be shut down for a couple weeks before being re-evaluated, but even in a best-case scenario he will not have time to be built back up for Opening Day. It's another blow to the Mets' starting pitching depth after it was revealed last week that Frankie Montas has a right lat strain. The club has been planning to deploy a six-man rotation early in the season, but it might now have to rethink that strategy.

Abrams will be moved back into the leadoff spot this season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "CJ's going to lead off," manager Dave Martinez said. "The [Nos.] 3-4-5 will be kind of different a little bit. The [No.] 2 might be different at times. But we do know CJ's going to lead off for us."

Abrams was moved out of the leadoff spot late in the season last year in favor of prospect Dylan Crews when Crews was promoted, but the team will reverse that decision this year. Abrams struggled so much in the second half (.203/.260/.326 with an 11th percentile chase rate) that his ability to remain in that capacity as a leadoff hitter is in question.

Chace is on a slower progression than other pitchers in Phillies camp after not being able to throw as often as hoped this offseason in his native Venezuela, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Chace has been throwing off a mound but has yet to face hitters this spring. Acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Gregory Soto to Baltimore, the 21-year-old Chace is likely to begin the 2025 campaign in the Double-A Reading rotation.