MLB Player News

Wentz will begin the 2023 season in the Tigers' starting rotation, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.

That's because Michael Lorenzen (groin) is headed for a season-opening stint on the 15-day injured list. Wentz might only get a couple of turns in early April, but he can look to put a good foot forward after delivering a 3.03 ERA across his first 32.2 major-league innings (seven starts) in 2022. He may have streaming appeal in deeper fantasy formats if the matchups are favorable, and he's posted 19:6 K:BB through 14.2 innings this spring, albeit with four homers allowed.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Friday that Lorenzen (groin) will not be ready for the beginning of the season, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.

Lorenzen was scratched from a Grapefruit League start this past Monday due to a mild left groin strain and is going to need a short IL stint before he hops into a starting role with Detroit. Joey Wentz will fill his spot in the meantime.

Kremer is set to open the season as the No. 2 starter for the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kyle Gibson will handle the Opening Day assignment Thursday at Boston, and then it'll be Kremer's turn to tangle with the Red Sox on April 1. The 27-year-old posted an impressive 3.23 ERA across 125.1 innings for Baltimore in 2022, though he tallied only 87 strikeouts along the way. Lacking in swing-and-miss stuff, Kremer's fantasy upside is limited.

Whitlock (hip) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on March 31, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

It will be Worcester's Opening Day and could be the only rehab outing Whitlock requires before joining the Red Sox' rotation. The right-hander is healthy but has been brought along slowly in camp following offseason hip surgery.

Rodon (forearm) will be about a month away from joining the Yankees' rotation once he throws a live batting practice session, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Rodon threw a bullpen session Thursday and will toss 2-3 more before progressing to live batting practice. That would seem to leave him at least a week away from live BP, making a return before the end of April unlikely. It's a rough timetable for the time being, but Rodon does seem to be recovering well from his minor forearm strain.

Lorenzen (groin) will progress his throwing and begin a running progression over the weekend, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Lorenzen was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against Toronto due to a mild left groin strain. No official update has come out regarding his Opening Day status, but considering the slow rate at which he is progressing, it's beginning to seem more and more unlikely that he'll be able to make his first start on time. Joey Wentz appears to be the next man up for Detroit in the rotation.

Bieber will start Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Bieber will officially be making his fourth straight Opening Day start for the Guardians. The right-hander has elevated himself to the upper echelon of starting pitchers in the league over the past few seasons, most recently producing a 2.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 198 strikeouts over 200 innings in 31 starts with Cleveland last year.

Castillo has been named the Mariners' Opening Day starter, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Robbie Ray was another good candidate, but Castillo gets the nod. The right-hander will take the ball March 30 at home against the Guardians and Shane Bieber.

Bubic could join the Royals' rotation following an injury to Daniel Lynch (shoulder), Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch could potentially be sidelined for multiple weeks with a strained pitching shoulder. Bubic was dreadful for the Royals last season, holding a 5.58 ERA over 129 innings. The left-hander isn't someone fantasy managers want to be invested in.

Lynch is expected to land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch suffered the injury during the Royals' Cactus League game against the Padres on Thursday. He will be shut down for 7-10 days before being re-evaluated. The injury opens up a spot in Kansas City's rotation, with Kris Bubic being the most likely candidate to fill it.