MLB Player News

Stephenson is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson really struggled with shoulder tendinitis down the stretch last season, so it's concerning that he's already dealing with it again this spring. Making matters tougher is that he's out of options this spring.

Bowman has an undisclosed injury that could keep him out for a couple of days, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Bowman ended the 2018 season early with a finger circulation issue that required surgery in September. That might have prompted the Cardinals to make him available when the Reds claimed him in November, and that might be related to his delayed start this spring.

Lamet (elbow) is on track to return in mid-summer, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet is "progressing nicely" in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, according to manager Andy Green, though a more concrete timetable for his return likely won't come into focus until he's further along in his rehab. The 26-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2017, when he posted a 4.57 ERA and 10.9 K/9 across 21 starts (114.1 innings).

Strop is expected open the season as the Cubs' closer, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

With Brandon Morrow (elbow) slated to miss at least the first month of the season, it sounds like Strop will handle the ninth inning in his absence. This isn't all too surprising, as Strop filled in as the team's closer in 2018 when Morrow was hurt. The right-hander was stellar for the Cubs last season, converting 13 saves while posting a 2.26 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 in 59.2 innings.

Almonte is being considered a full-time reliever heading into the season, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Almonte spent time as both a starter and a reliever in the minors last season, producing a 5.56 ERA in 43 frames for Triple-A Albuquerque. However, he shined in the majors, allowing just three earned runs in 14.2 innings of work for a sparkling 1.84 ERA. His 3.00 FIP suggests he was a bit lucky, however, and there are other long-relief options to compete against as well, including Chris Rusin, Harrison Musgrave and potentially even Chad Bettis, Antonio Senzatela or Jeff Hoffman if they aren't used in the rotation.

Hoffman is in the running for a back-end rotation spot this spring, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman had a lackluster 2018 showing, struggling to a 4.94 ERA in 105 Triple-A innings and a 9.35 ERA in 8.2 MLB innings. However, he was once one of the Rockies' top prospects and put up decent strikeout numbers in the minors last year (8.7 K/9). He has an outside chance to crack the Opening Day roster, but he'll need to outperform Chad Bettis and Antonio Senzatela to garner a rotation spot.

Graveman (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This is a procedural move, as Graveman is expected to miss most if not all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2018. This move opens up a 40-man roster spot for the Cubs while Graveman rehabs his injury.

Gsellman is not in contention for a rotation spot this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Manager Mickey Callaway said Wednesday that Jason Vargas will be the team's fifth starter and that there will be no competition for the job, contradicting reports from earlier in the winter. Gsellman could still be a starting candidate down the road, however, as a number of Mets starters have significant injury histories. He could also move back into the mix should the 36-year-old Vargas be unable to improve on the 5.77 ERA he posted last season.

Gott was traded to the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier in the month, but the Giants decided to pounce on him before he cleared waivers. Gott doesn't possess a ton of fantasy upside given the middling 6.1 career K/9, not to mention his 4.64 career ERA. However, he is out of minor-league options, so that could give him a leg up on other candidates for middle-relief work to start the season.

Alzolay (side) will be two weeks behind other pitchers during spring training, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Alzolay apparently felt something in his side while throwing last week, and seeing as his 2018 season was cut short due to a lat strain, the Cubs will proceed extra cautiously with the young right-hander. Alzolay figures to open the season back with Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across eight starts (39.2 innings) before getting hurt last season.