MLB Player News

Luzardo struck out two and didn't allow a baserunner across two scoreless innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

It was a dominant spring debut for Luzardo, who generated six swings-and-misses while throwing 14 of 19 pitches for strikes, per Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The left-hander also touched 98 mph with his sinker, which had an average velocity of 94.8 mph last season. Luzardo is fully recovered from the lumbar stress reaction that limited him to 12 starts in 2024, and he'll be a key rotation piece for Philadelphia this year after being acquired from Miami in December.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Alexander suffered a Grade 1 right oblique strain and will be unavailable for Opening Day, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

It's unclear when exactly Alexander sustained the injury, but his last appearance in a Cactus League game came Monday versus the Guardians. The 25-year-old was fighting to earn a roster spot as a utility infielder but now appears set to begin the campaign on the injured list. Once healthy he could be headed to Triple-A Reno.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Liberatore appears to be "on a mission" with how good he's looked so far this spring, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Liberatore has retired all 12 batters he's faced across his two Grapefruit League appearances, notching a pair of strikeouts. The left-hander has a career 3.89 ERA as a reliever versus a 5.86 ERA as a starter but is being stretched out this spring as the Cardinals consider the best role for the left-hander. At the moment, Liberatore appears to be, at best, seventh in St. Louis' starting pitcher hierarchy, so it might take an injury or two for him to be under real consideration for a rotation spot. However, he believes he's "a starter at heart" and is doing his best to convince the Cardinals he can handle that role.

Waldron pitched three scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two batters.

Waldron's second spring start went very smoothly, as he allowed only three baserunners (one on an error), and two of those were wiped out on double plays. The knuckleballer has yielded just one run through five innings over two starts this spring as he makes his case for the fifth spot in San Diego's Opening Day rotation. Waldron's competition for that role includes Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito.

Turang went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Turang has just one base knock through four exhibition appearances, but more importantly, he has hit leadoff or second in all four. When the regular season gets underway, chances are that Turang -- who stole 50 bases and won his first Gold Glove last season -- will regularly occupy one of those spots against right-handed pitching while hitting lower in the order against southpaws.

Canning gave up two hits and a walk over 1.2 scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit league game against the Astros. He struck out two.

Facing a familiar AL West foe from his Angels days, Canning tossed 22 of 34 pitches for strikes in his first game action of the spring after replacing Clay Holmes to begin the fourth inning. Both right-handers are likely members of the Mets' Opening Day rotation with Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) on the shelf, but Canning's spot is far less secure given his modest one-year, $4.25 million contract and shaky 5.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 130:66 K:BB over 171.2 innings for the Halos in 2024.

Reid-Foley (shoulder) is out of minor-league options, making him a favorite to win a spot at the back of the Mets' bullpen if he proves in spring training that he's healthy, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander is being brought along carefully in camp from a right shoulder impingement that ended his 2024 campaign early. Reid-Foley was effective in the Mets' bullpen last season when he was on the mound however, posting a 1.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings. If he sees Grapefruit League action soon, he should still have time to get ready for Opening Day.

Stanek is expected to handle eighth-inning duties alongside A.J. Minter (hip) in front of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stanek didn't exactly thrive during his time in New York in 2024 after being acquired from Seattle, posting a 6.06 ERA with a win and three holds in 17 regular-season appearances, but his 23:8 K:BB over 16.1 innings was enough to convince the Mets to bring him back on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with incentives. The 33-year-old has been an effective setup man in the past, recording 38 holds with a 2.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 145:68 K:BB over 123 innings in 2021-22 for the Astros. If Stanek struggles in a high-leverage role this season, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Nunez (elbow) and Jose Butto are all candidates to step into his spot.

Quantrill coughed up four runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out one.

Most of the damage came on a three-run blast by Nolan Arenado, as Quantrill failed to get out of the first inning. The veteran right-hander tossed only 13 of his 28 pitches for strikes in his first spring game action, and while he is still seen as a lock for the Marlins' Opening Day rotation after signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal earlier in February, his hold on the spot could slip quickly if he keeps struggling in camp.

Del Castillo (arm) will make his first start this spring at catcher Friday against the Royals.

Del Castillo's first two Cactus League starts were at designated hitter as he worked his way back from some right arm fatigue, but he's now fully cleared. The young backstop is competing for the Diamondbacks' backup catcher job behind Gabriel Moreno.