MLB Player News

Whisenhunt (elbow) will face hitters Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Whisenhunt has been slow-played this spring after he ended last season in the minors with a sprained left elbow. He could be cleared to pitch in games before the Cactus League schedule runs out. Assuming health, Whisenhunt is likely to begin the season at Double-A Richmond.

Thomas (wrist) is starting in center field and batting seventh for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday in his return to Cactus League play, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Thomas was held out of action for more than a week while battling inflammation in his right wrist, but he's progressed to the point of testing things out in game action. The 23-year-old is in line for center field duty this season for the defending National League pennant winners.

Suarez (side) is starting at third base and batting fifth for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday versus the Padres in his return to the lineup, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Suarez hasn't played in nearly a week after developing some side tightness, but he's now feeling well enough to give it a go. The veteran third baseman was acquired via trade from the Mariners earlier this offseason after slashing .232/.323/.391 with 22 home runs and 96 RBI in 2023.

Puk gave up one hit and two walks over three scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out six.

With Braxton Garrett (shoulder) not expected to be ready for Opening Day, the Marlins have a vacancy in their rotation, and Puk is making a compelling early case to win it. Through his first five spring innings, the 28-year-old southpaw has delivered a 9:3 K:BB and a 0.00 ERA. Puk hasn't started a game at any level since 2021 and hasn't been a full-time starter since a stint at Double-A in 2017, but the plan to stretch him out in camp has gone without a hitch so far, and he tossed 27 of 46 pitches for strikes Monday.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Gray has been diagnosed with a "mild" right hamstring strain and it would be "challenging" getting the pitcher ready in time for Opening Day, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Mozeliak referred to the news as "encouraging" on the whole, but Gray will need some down time and is not expected to be ready for what would have been his Opening Day start March 28 versus the Dodgers. Zack Thompson or Matthew Liberatore could fill Gray's spot in the rotation, and it's possible both will be needed if Steven Matz isn't quite ready.

Olson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The first baseman crushed a Pablo Lopez offering in the first inning for his first long ball of the spring. Olson set an Atlanta franchise record with 139 RBI in 2023 while adding a career-high 54 homers, and the 29-year-old is a safe bet to reach triple-digit RBI for the fourth straight season while batting in the heart of one of the most potent lineups in MLB.

Herrera (shoulder) is starting at catcher and batting seventh for the Cardinals on Tuesday against the Twins in his return to Grapefruit League action, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Herrera missed a few days with a "stinger" in his left (non-throwing) shoulder but is ready to roll now. He will open the season as Willson Contreras' backup at catcher.

Smith-Shawver struck out five batters over 2.2 scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, allowing just one hit and one walk.

Facing most of Minnesota's likely Opening Day lineup, Smith-Shawver fired 32 of 48 pitches for strikes in a dominant outing that saw him count Carlos Correa and Carlos Santana among his strikeout victims. The 21-year-old righty is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but after making his big-league debut in 2023, it may not be much longer before he's pushing his way into the Atlanta rotation for good. Through 4.2 innings this spring, Smith-Shawver has an 8:2 K:BB.

Clemens was scratched from the Phillies' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday due to illness, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He should be fine in a day or two. Jake Cave will move to first base and Cam Gallagher will enter the lineup at designated hitter.

Taillon hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game yet this spring, as he's working on repeating his mechanics to keep from striding and landing open, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He had a good second half with the Cubs last year (3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), so it's a little concerning that he showed up to camp with mechanical issues. Taillon was scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, so he is at least healthy enough to throw at full strength, even though he has also dealt with calf tightness this spring. If all went well Monday, the plan is for Taillon to get into a Cactus League game this weekend.