MLB Player News

Cabrera would be a likely beneficiary of expanded rosters in an abbreviated 2020 season, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The southpaw was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on March 26, but Hummel notes both Cabrera's stuff and ability to serve as a spot starter when necessary render him an appealing resource to utilize an extra roster spot on. The 23-year-old can exceed 96 mph with his fastball and flashed his ability to miss bats during spring training, posting a 1.50 ERA and 8:2 K:BB across six innings over four appearances (two starts). Another factor that could contribute to Cabrera's chances of opening the campaign on the big-league roster is the chance the minor-league season is canceled altogether, a development that would offer the Cardinals further incentive to keep the promising pitcher in an environment where he can still see occasional game action.

Kolarek's role as a left-handed specialist could be challenged by MLB's new rule requiring pitchers to face at least three batters or pitch to the end of the half-inning, Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider reports.

Kolarek was very effective for the Dodgers in 2019 after coming over from Tampa Bay in a trade deadline deal, posting a 0.77 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 26 games. However, he hurled only 11.2 innings over those 26 appearances as a majority of his outings covered one or two batters. His best work came against left-handed hitters -- the southpaw allowed only three earned runs over 29.2 innings against lefties with the Rays and Dodgers versus 17 earned runs over 25.1 innings against righties -- but the league's new three-batter minimum rule will challenge Kolarek's usage as a left-handed specialist. As it stands, he is not guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster after struggling in Cactus League action this spring, allowing eight earned runs and 10 hits over 4.2 frames.

Morejon was being stretched out as a starter in spring training before play was suspended, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Though Morejon started every minor-league game in which he pitched last season, he was used primarily as an opener, logging only 36 innings over 16 outings. He then functioned as an opener and bullpen piece during his five outings in the big leagues, allowing nine earned runs over eight innings. Morejon's diverse arsenal -- he throws a mid-to-upper-90s fastball along with two changeups and a curveball -- bodes well for his potential a starter, but he has yet to show that he can stay healthy enough to endure the workload that accompanies such a role.

Weathers is expected to begin the 2020 campaign with High-A Lake Elsinore, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Weathers was mostly impressive in his first full season in 2019, posting a 3.84 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90:18 K:BB over 96 innings at Low-A Fort Wayne. Though his command remained consistent throughout the campaign, Weathers wore down somewhat in the second half, posting a 4.42 ERA and .300 BAA after the All-Star break. Still, the Padres' 2018 first-round draft pick showed enough to ascend to the next level, although the status of the 2020 minor-league season remains in limbo due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Underwood is a candidate for a bullpen spot with the Cubs when the regular season is able to begin, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Underwood is out of options, so Chicago would have to pass him through waivers if it wanted to move him to the minors. The 25-year-old could benefit from what will likely be an expanded roster when the season is able to start and work as a long reliever for the Cubs if they play a compacted schedule with regular doubleheaders.

Hudson posted a 2-1 record, 2.92 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 12.1 innings over four Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was suspended.

The right-hander is firmly entrenched as the No. 3 starter when the starting rotation is at full strength, and despite some control issues in his last start of spring March 8, Hudson enjoyed a productive exhibition slate overall. The 25-year-old stretched out to 74 pitches in that outing, and he'll presumably also have a ramp-up period to the regular season to complete his preparations. Hudson enjoyed a standout 2019 campaign -- his first as a full-time starter in the majors -- posting a 16-7 record and 3.35 ERA across 174.2 innings.

Graterol's placement for the start of the 2020 campaign remains in question, Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider reports.

Though the Dodgers expect Graterol to play a major role in their bullpen at some point, the team has enough pitching depth and talent to allow the right-hander more time to develop in the minors if desired. However, Graterol's ability to hit triple digits and his effectiveness in Cactus League play -- he pitched three scoreless innings and posted a 3:0 K:BB -- may be enough to earn him a spot on the big-league roster out of the gate. The 21-year-old held his own in the majors last season, allowing five earned runs and striking out 10 batters across 9.2 innings with Minnesota.

Strahm could be a starter in the future, but he's expected to come out of the bullpen during the 2020 campaign, Bill Center of FriarWire reports.

Strahm has stated his desire to be a starter and has performed in that role 24 times in his big-league career. However, he was more effective in relief last season, and the Padres' fifth starting spot for 2020 looks to be a battle between Joey Lucchesi and Cal Quantrill. Though manager Jayce Tingler indicated early in spring training that Strahm could have a future as a starter, he appears to be firmly locked into a bullpen role for the time being.

Bolanos (ribs) is likely to open the season with Triple-A El Paso but could be considered for a callup if the need for a spot starter arises, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bolanos was held out of Cactus League play due to soreness in his ribcage, but he was unlikely to break camp with the Padres even with a strong spring. The right-hander made three major-league starts down the stretch last season, posting a 6.75 ERA and registering a 13:11 K:BB in 14.2 innings. Walks have been an issue for Bolanos throughout his time in the minors, so he'll need to show improvement in that area before he's ready to ascend to the next level.

Gonzalez has a strong chance of making his major-league debut this season due in part to his ability to function as a starter or reliever, Rowan Kavner of Dodger Insider reports.

Gonzalez raced through the Dodgers' system last season, beginning the campaign with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and finishing with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He pitched in a total of 38 contests, making 13 starts. Though he fared better in relief, Gonzalez held his own as a starter, posting a 2.63 ERA and striking out 55 batters in 54.2 innings. Per Kavner, the southpaw is working on his command of secondary pitches in anticipation of being called upon to help at the big-league level at some point in 2020.