MLB Player News

Megill struck out six and walked two over three scoreless, no-hit innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The right-hander came into the game a favorite to secure the rotation spot opened up by Kodai Senga's shoulder injury, and Megill looked the part against a New York lineup that featured mainly younger players like Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells and Everson Pereira. Megill did plunk Oswald Peraza with a pitch and threw just 29 of 49 pitches for strikes, but he got some big whiffs with his new splitter. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed only one run through his first eight spring innings with an impressive 13:2 K:BB.

The Mets have been encouraged by Senga's recovery progress so far from a shoulder strain, although the right-hander has yet to begin a throwing program, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports. "We'll wait until he starts playing catch and all that, but as of right now, he's moving in the right direction," manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday.

Senga got a platelet-rich plasma injection in the joint in late February and was shut down completely, but he appears to be getting close to beginning the process of building back up ahead of the regular season. The Mets are optimistic the shoulder issue won't be a long-term concern, and a best-case scenario could see Senga join the rotation in late April or early May.

Monasterio went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old has impressed in the spring thus far, hitting .364 with a .728 OPS over 11 at-bats. It's hard to imagine the utility infielder pushing out promising prospect Brice Turang or stalwart shortstop Willy Adames, but it's possible Monasterio could initially start at third base over Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the beginning of February as part of the Corbin Burnes trade to Baltimore. Monasterio played in 92 games for the Brewers last season and had a .259/.330/.348 slash line in 315 plate appearances.

Luzardo gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The line doesn't look pretty, but the wind at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium may have played a factor -- three of the hits Luzardo allowed left the yard, including homers by the light-hitting Luis Garcia and Victor Robles. Luzardo built up to 57 pitches (38 strikes), and through his first 8.2 spring innings he's posted a sharp 8:1 K:BB, a strong sign he's just about ready for Opening Day.

Walker (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Walker missed a week of action with right hand soreness after being hit by a pitch, but his absence had always been viewed as precautionary. The slugger is 2-for-8 with a double and a single so far during Cactus League play.

Rogers gave up one hit over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The 26-year-old southpaw was brought along slowly in camp after making only four big-league starts in 2023 due to injuries, but Rogers was sharp in his first game action of the spring. The Marlins are counting on him to stay healthy this season and regain the form that saw him post a 2.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28.5 percent strikeout rate over 133 innings in 2021.

Strider allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four over four scoreless innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

In his longest outing of the spring so far, Strider had little trouble dispatching a Detroit lineup led by Kerry Carpenter and top prospect Colt Keith. The 25-year-old right-hander has been dominant in Florida, posting a 0.00 ERA and 13:3 K:BB through nine innings as he looks to take another step forward after leading MLB with 281 strikeouts in 2023.

Morton gave up two hits and two walks over 2.2 scoreless innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit. He struck out three.

The 40-year-old right-hander saw his first game action of the spring, taking the mound to begin the fifth inning, and he looked to be nearly ready for Opening Day. Morton's 1.43 WHIP last season was his highest mark in over a decade, but his 3.64 ERA and 25.6 percent strikeout rate over 163.1 innings indicate he still has plenty left in the tank. He's expected to begin the 2024 campaign as Atlanta's No. 4 starter.

Nootbaar will be unavailable for a fourth straight game Thursday against the Astros because of rib soreness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Nootbaar jammed his elbow into his ribs while attempting a catch in the outfield during Saturday's game versus the Astros. The Cardinals are saying his absence is precautionary, so Nootbaar should be considered day-to-day. He's slated to be St. Louis' everyday left fielder in 2024.

Gray (hamstring) will play catch from 60 feet Thursday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gray was diagnosed with a mild right hamstring strain earlier this week but is ready to ease back into baseball activities. The expectation is that he will likely require a stint on the injured list to begin the season, although the Cardinals seem optimistic that Gray's absence will be a short one.