MLB Player News

Anderson is throwing long toss from 120 feet, and he's on schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander underwent surgery in April 2023 and is targeting a midseason return to the mound. Atlanta may not have room for him in its big-league rotation once he's ready for game action however, especially if Anderson can't regain the form that saw him produce a 3.58 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 124:53 K:BB through 128.1 innings in 2021, before a rough 2022 may have provided an early signal that his elbow wasn't 100 percent. Anderson still has a minor-league option remaining, so it wouldn't be surprising if he spent the second half of 2024 at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Wisdom (quad) isn't feeling well enough to return to Cactus League action as hoped Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wisdom had a flare-up with his right quad last week and hasn't progressed as quickly as hoped. He remains day-to-day, but it's unclear when he might be ready for games. Wisdom figures to see most of his starts for the Cubs this season against left-handed pitching.

Bellinger will make his Cactus League debut at designated hitter Wednesday against the Angels, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He'll then progress to playing the field Friday or Saturday. Bellinger is a bit behind schedule this spring after re-signing with the Cubs a little over a week ago, but he still has plenty of time to prep for Opening Day. The 28-year-old is likely to see most of his action in center field this season, with starts at first base also being a possibility.

Peterson (wrist) is starting at third base and batting second for the Diamondbacks on Monday in his return to Cactus League play.

Peterson was held out of games for nearly a week because of inflammation in his right wrist, but he's feeling better now and has returned to action. The 33-year-old is set up for a utility role in Arizona this season.

Chourio is 4-for-20 (.200) with a double, an RBI, four runs and a 2:6 BB:K through six games this spring.

After reaching base a total of four times over his first two appearances of the spring, Chourio went on an 0-for-10 skid, but he got going again Sunday, going 1-for-3 with a double while walking once and scoring twice. The long-term contract Chourio signed with the Brewers in late November puts him in prime position to open the season as the starting center fielder with the big club, and he is getting plenty of chances to show what he can do, as his 20 at-bats are more than any of his teammates have recorded to date.

Ynoa has resumed long-toss after being shut down for a bit with right elbow soreness, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ynoa is coming back from Tommy John surgery and had been throwing bullpen sessions early on in camp before the elbow soreness cropped up. Atlanta doesn't appear overly concerned about the righty, as Ynoa could resume mound work in a few days. Ynoa already had seemed likely to begin the season back in the minors as he knocks some rust off, and this setback should cinch that.

Hjerpe may not see much action against opposing teams' starting lineups during Grapefruit League play, Brenden Schaeffer of First Alert 4 reports.

He struck out four and walked two over two scoreless innings in his first appearance of the spring, but Hjerpe is not high in the pecking order of young pitchers fighting for a big-league job or an early season promotion to the majors. The 6-foot-3 southpaw put up very impressive numbers in college thanks to a unique arm angle that allows all his pitches to play up. Hjerpe got off to a slow start in his pro debut, but he had a 1.54 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 23.1 innings over his final four starts before needing a cleanup procedure on his elbow. He made it back for the Arizona Fall League and worked as a reliever there, striking out 15 while walking six in 8.1 innings over seven appearances. Including the AFL, Hjerpe was able to log just 49.1 innings in 2023 after throwing 103.1 frames for Oregon State in 2022. Staying healthy and handling a starter's workload will be paramount this year, and if he does that, he could be an option in the big-league rotation in late 2024 or in 2025.

Black is 4-for-17 (.235) with four runs, two steals and a 2:5 BB:K through six games this spring.

Black is one of Milwaukee's top prospects and posted a .942 OPS over 39 games with Triple-A Nashville last season, and though, he has not hit like that this spring, he is getting opportunities, as his 17 at-bats are tied for third among players in big-league camp with the Brewers. He spent most of his time at third base in 2023, but per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the bulk of his action this spring has come at first base. The Brewers have a lot of options in the infield, and he faces an uphill battle to break camp with the big club. However, he has one of the more potent bats of the bunch, and he will continue getting chances to work his way into the mix.

Friedl went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in Sunday's spring game against Kansas City.

Friedl is slated to be Cincinnati's starting center fielder and likely leadoff batter against righties. Through five Cactus League games, Friedl is 4-for-12.

Barrero, a one-time shortstop prospect, is attempting to earn a roster spot exclusively as an outfielder, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barrero started in right field Sunday and launched a home run in three plate appearances. He's made four Cactus League appearances -- three starts in right field and one in center. "I feel comfortable out there," Barrero said. "I'm glad that this organization has been giving me the opportunity to play several different positions in my time here." The Reds introduced him to the outfield in 2023, when he made 17 appearances in center field.