MLB Player News

Lopez is likely to be deployed as both a starter and a reliever over the course of the season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

This isn't a huge surprise, as Lopez hasn't thrown 100 or more innings in a season since 2019, but it does confirm that Atlanta is ready to be flexible with his usage. The 30-year-old right-hander is currently battling Bryce Elder for the fifth starter role to begin the season, and Lopez's velocity was down a bit in a Grapefruit League start Tuesday against the Pirates -- he averaged 94.2 mph with his fastball and topped out at 95.7 mph. Even without his best stuff, he still limited a Pittsburgh lineup that featured most of its Opening Day starters to one run on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings, as he got stretched out to 58 pitches (34 strikes).

Scott is starting in center field and batting leadoff for the Cardinals in Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Twins.

It's the third time in the team's last four games that Scott has been in center field and at the top of the batting order. Also notable is that Wednesday's lineup features Dylan Carlson in left field, marking the first time those two players have occupied those positions in the same game. Carlson has been the Cards' presumed starter in center field while Tommy Edman (wrist) is out, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak last week downplaying the possibility of Scott making the Opening Day roster. However, the club seems to be leaving the door ajar for Scott with the way he's turned heads this spring. The speedy outfielder is slashing .370/.469/.444 in Grapefruit League play and is 7-for-11 with two steals, an RBI and four runs scored over his last three contests.

Waldron appears to have an inside track for a spot in the Padres' Opening Day rotation, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

While reaching the big leagues for the first time last season as a 26-year-old, Waldron made six starts for San Diego and posted so-so ratios (4.35 ERA, 4.42 xERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11.0 K-BB%) over his 41.1 total innings with the big club. The Padres lost Blake Snell, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to free agency this winter, but after bringing in three rotation candidates in Michael King, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito from the Yankees in the deal that sent outfielder Juan Soto to The Bronx, Waldron still appeared to enter spring training on the outside looking in for a starting role. However, Waldron seems to have solidified his case for a rotation spot with an outstanding showing thus far in Cactus League play, as he's struck out 12 over 15.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on 13 hits and no walks. While it may be enough for Waldron to break camp with the club, the right-hander still looks to be more of a name to keep an eye on in NL-only leagues rather than mixed leagues at this juncture, given his lack of pedigree and poor numbers at Triple-A El Paso in 2023 (7.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 92.1 innings).

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Chargois is scheduled to visit with a neck specialist, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Chargois' spring debut was delayed until Tuesday while he contended with neck spasms early in camp, and he apparently didn't respond as well as hoped during his one-inning appearance out of the bullpen. Once Chargois meets with a specialist, the Marlins should be able to map out a treatment plan for the reliever. If Chargois is shut down from activity for any period of time at this stage of spring training, he could be at risk of missing Opening Day.

Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Hassell has been diagnosed with a strained groin, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Hassell suffered the injury during a Grapefruit League game last week. He's not been shut down and will still able to do some baseball activities, but Hassell isn't scheduled to play in any games for a while. Once healthy, the 22-year-old is likely to begin the season at Double-A Harrisburg.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Cabrera (shoulder) will resume throwing soon, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera has been diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement and almost surely will miss out on the Opening Day roster. However, the Marlins seem confident that the big right-hander won't have to miss too much time to begin the season. Ryan Weathers is in line to slide into Miami's rotation until Cabrera is ready.

Marsh (knee) will start in left field and bat eighth Wednesday in the Phillies' Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in early February, Marsh was eased into baseball activities to begin spring training, and the 26-year-old has apparently responded well after gradually increasing the intensity of his workouts. Marsh had already played in an intrasquad game last week, but he'll now test out his knee in an uncontrolled setting for what will be his Grapefruit League debut. Because of the time he's already missed, Marsh will still need to stack up at-bats over the course of several games to guarantee his availability for Opening Day, but he appears on track to do that provided he doesn't experience a setback with his knee along the way.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bae (hip) is currently limited to playing catch and taking part in advanced workouts in the weight room, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bae -- who is working his way back from a left hip flexor injury -- will be re-evaluated later this week to see if he can up his activities. At this stage of spring training, Bae's availability for Opening Day is very much in question, but more on his status should be known by the end of the week.

Chargois (neck) struck out a batter and gave up one run on two hits over one inning of relief Tuesday in the Marlins' 9-1 loss to the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

Chargois made his spring debut Tuesday after he was slowed by neck spasms in the early part of camp. Though he's still behind the Marlins' other healthy relievers for the moment, Chargois should be ready to go for Opening Day once he gets a couple more Grapefruit League appearances under his belt. The right-hander posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 42.1 innings out of the Miami bullpen in 2023.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Harrington will be examined for a right shoulder injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Harrington had been scheduled to appear in the Spring Breakout series this week, but the injury will foil those plans. The 22-year-old was a first-round pick of the Pirates in 2022 and had an excellent first professional season, collecting a 3.53 ERA and 146:41 K:BB over 127.1 frames between Single-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro.