MLB Player News

Waldron has won the fifth spot in the Padres' rotation, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The knuckleballer won the job after posting a 1.35 ERA and 11:0 K:BB over 13.1 Cactus League innings. Waldron was solid during a look-see with the big club last season in posting a 4.35 ERA over 41.1 innings, although that came after a 7.31 ERA at Triple-A El Paso. His leash will be short, with Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez looming as alternatives.

Musgrove will start for the Padres on Friday against the Giants, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The Padres went with Yu Darvish and Musgrove in their two games in South Korea versus the Dodgers and have elected to run it back with those two in their first two contests back in the states. Musgrove was roughed up for five runs over just 2.2 innings back on March 21 against the Dodgers.

Darvish will start for the Padres on Thursday versus the Giants in the team's domestic opener, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish drew the start in the first game of the team's series in South Korea versus the Dodgers back on March 20, and the Padres have elected to give him the ball again for their home opener. He'll be followed by Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, Michael King and Matt Waldron.

Carlson left Monday's exhibition game versus the Cubs due to a left shoulder injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson left Monday's contest after colliding with Jordan Walker in the outfield, in which the former landed hard on his left arm. Carlson left the field with trainers, and the severity of the injury has yet to be determined. If the injury is severe enough for Carlson to miss the beginning of the regular season, Mike Siani could see some starts in center field, as Tommy Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) are also out. Top prospect Victor Scott could also be an option if Carlson is facing an extended absence.

Slater (elbow) will start in right field and bat second Monday in the Giants' exhibition versus the Athletics.

After he was limited in the early stages of spring training while completing his recovery from the right elbow surgery he underwent Oct. 11, Slater made his spring debut Feb. 24, but he didn't return to the lineup until March 9 after experiencing a minor setback in his recovery. Manager Bob Melvin noted Friday that Slater recently experienced more soreness in his surgically repaired elbow, but the 31-year-old outfielder has since seemingly quelled some of the concern about his availability for Opening Day. He returned to action for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks and went 0-for-3 while serving as a backup designated hitter, then made a start at DH in a minor-league game Sunday. Slater's inclusion in the lineup in the outfield Monday implies that the elbow issue is no longer hindering him on defense or at the plate, so if he can come out of the game without any setbacks, he should be in good position to make the Opening Day roster. The right-handed-hitting Slater is likely to fill the short side of a platoon in the corner outfield with either Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski during the upcoming season.

Carlson was removed from Monday's exhibition game versus the Cubs following a collision in the outfield with Jordan Walker, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carlson had his legs taken out from under him by Walker and appeared to land awkwardly on his left arm. He then walked off the field with a trainer and is surely headed for testing. Carlson had been slated to be the Cardinals' center fielder while Tommy Edman (wrist) is out, but Carlson's injury could throw a wrench into those plans. It's possible that prospect Victor Scott could re-enter the mix for starts in center field if Carlson isn't ready to go for Thursday's season opener versus the Dodgers.

Crawford (hand) took batting practice Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

As long as he doesn't experience any lingering effects with the hand injury he suffered just over a week ago, Crawford will return to play in the Cardinals' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Cubs. Assuming health, he's slated to serve as a backup shortstop for the Cards this season.

King (illness) was scheduled to face hitters at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

King did not travel with the team to Arizona for its two exhibition games against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday, but he remains a possibility to be included on the Opening Day roster. The left-handed reliever struggled early on this spring but was unscored upon in his final three Grapefruit League appearances before an illness cropped up.

Nootbaar (ribs) took soft-toss swings Sunday and Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol saw video of Nootbaar's workouts and said the outfielder "looked really good" and "his body is responding well." Nootbaar will begin the season on the injured list with two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage, but the hope remains that he won't be out long. He will be eligible for activation for the team's home opener on April 4.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Falter will be included in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Earlier Monday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com confirmed that Falter had made the roster, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the southpaw would begin the season in the rotation or work in long relief. Shelton brought clarity on that front when he spoke to the media, with Falter's inclusion in the rotation seemingly indicating that Luis Ortiz has missed out on the No. 5 starter's role and will be ticketed for the bullpen or for Triple-A Indianapolis. Additionally, Shelton mapped out the rotation through the Pirates' first five games, noting that Falter is set to make his first turn in Sunday's series finale in Miami. Over 18 appearances (14 starts) between the Phillies and Pirates in 2023, Falter went 2-9 with a 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB over 80.2 innings.