MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Senga experienced arm fatigue during his side session Tuesday and is being evaluated by the training staff, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mendoza didn't sound too concerned that Senga was dealing with an injury that could threaten his availability for the start of the season, but the Mets likely won't know the full extent of the issue until he's evaluated further. Senga walked 11.1 percent of the batters he faced during his first season in the majors in 2023, but he otherwise made a smooth transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB, pitching to a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 202 batters over 166.1 innings. The Mets are counting on Senga to serve as the clear No. 1 starter in 2024 after the team shipped out Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in midseason deals last summer.

Contreras participated in a live batting practice session Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was shut down at the end of 2023 with tendinitis in his left wrist. There was no need for offseason surgery, so it's safe to assume the catcher is healthy this spring. Contreras is projected to top the Cardinals' depth chart at catcher in 2024, with Ivan Herrera his likely backup following Andrew Knizner's move to the Rangers in the offseason. Contreras should see a fairly heavy workload as long as he can avoid a recurrence of the tendinitis.

Jefferies could be needed in the Giants' rotation sooner rather than later if Keaton Winn (elbow) is sidelined, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

A non-roster invitee, Jefferies threw to hitters Tuesday for the first time since May of 2022 following a long rehab after his second Tommy John surgery. Given the length of time that he's missed, the expectation is that Jefferies will head to Triple-A Sacramento to begin the season. However, if he gets off to a nice start with Sacramento he could be needed on the big club in short order, particularly if Winn's elbow injury lingers. Jefferies posted a 5.75 ERA and 37:14 K:BB over 56.1 innings for the Athletics from 2020-22.

Bailey gained weight this offseason to help prepare for the 2024 season, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey wore down at the end of the season, and it showed in his performance as a hitter. The catcher enters his second major-league season a bit heavier, presumably so that he can spend more of the campaign at his preferred playing weight. He slashed .233/.285/.359 with seven home runs, 48 RBI, 29 runs scored and a stolen base over 97 contests. Bailey's strong defense has him in line for the No. 1 job behind the dish.

Howard could have a chance to make the Giants' Opening Day rotation if Keaton Winn (elbow) isn't ready, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

An MRI on Winn's elbow came back clean, but his status is up in the air. Howard is with the Giants as a non-roster invitee and appears to be one of the top candidates to fill in for Winn, if needed. The 27-year-old has flopped so far at the big-league level, holding a 7.20 ERA and 109:55 K:BB over 115 innings covering 29 starts and nine relief appearances.

Antone (elbow) is on a normal schedule this spring, Gordon Wittenmyer and Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer report.

Antone didn't pitch at all in 2022 following Tommy John surgery and made just 19 total appearances between the majors and minors in 2023. He finished last year on the injured list with right elbow tendinitis but told reporters last week that he's "full go and ready to rock" this spring. Antone has been a dominant reliever when healthy, collecting a career 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 94:31 K:BB over 74.2 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons. He figures to be in the mix for high-leverage spots in 2024 if he can stay off the IL.

Rolison (undisclosed) was spotted throwing off flat ground at Rockies camp Wednesday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Rolison didn't pitch after June 2 last season due to an unspecified injury, with the extended absence once again costing the 26-year-old some meaningful development time after his entire 2022 season was wiped out by shoulder surgery. Though Rolison looks to be healthy entering camp, he was moved off the 40-man roster in the offseason and will likely need to pitch well for an extended period at Triple-A Albuquerque before he gets the chance to make his MLB debut.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that Machado (elbow) will be ready to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games "sooner rather than later," AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Machado won't be in the lineup for the Padres' spring opener Thursday, but Shildt noted that the slugger is "trending in a really good place" as he works his way back from surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. San Diego has an early start to its season with two games against the Dodgers on March 20 and 21 in South Korea, but Machado is tracking toward being ready for that series, even if he's deployed as a DH initially.

Winn underwent an MRI after feeling right elbow soreness following his last bullpen session, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The good news is the MRI came back negative, so the Giants are hopeful that he'll be OK following a few days of rest. Still, any elbow-related injury should garner some cause for concern. Assuming health, Winn is tentatively lined up to open the season as San Francisco's fourth starter. He posted a 4.68 ERA and 35:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings in 2023.

Marsh (knee) said Wednesday that he's been cleared for jogging, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Resuming light running work represents Marsh's first meaningful step forward in his recovery from the left knee scope he underwent earlier this month. He's expected to require 3-to-4 weeks to make a full recovery from the procedure, and while the Phillies anticipate that Marsh will be ready for Opening Day, he's unlikely to be cleared for game action until late in the Grapefruit League schedule. When healthy, Marsh is projected to handle the strong side of a platoon in left field with Whit Merrifield, though full-time roles would likely be opened up for both Merrifield and center fielder Johan Rojas if Marsh hits a snag in his recovery and is forced to begin the season on the injured list.