MLB Player News

Pered (elbow) played catch Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, but his return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down March 15. Perez didn't have a full build-up earlier in camp due to finger issues, so the Marlins are likely to be fairly cautious as he ramps up his throwing program.

Cabrera (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander continues building up his throwing program since being diagnosed with a shoulder impingement nearly two weeks ago. Cabrera remains without a clear timeline to join the Marlins' rotation, but if he continues to progress with no issues, his absence to begin the season may last only a few weeks.

Walker was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement Sunday and will start the season on the injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander experienced some discomfort while prepping for a bullpen session Saturday, and he won't be available to begin the regular season. Walker will rest for an undisclosed period before attempting to restart his throwing program, so he seems likely to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the injured list. Spencer Turnbull is poised to claim the open spot in Philadelphia's starting rotation.

The Rockies reassigned Blach to minor-league camp Sunday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The soft-tossing southpaw is entering his third season as a member of the Rockies organization, so even though he missed out on a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, he could stick around as a depth arm at Triple-A Albuquerque. Blach made 20 appearances (13 starts) for the Rockies in 2023, going 3-3 with a 5.54 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 78 innings.

Gray (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch in another minor-league game Thursday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals recently announced Gray will begin the season on the injured list, but he'll continue ramping up his throwing in minor-league action. The veteran right-hander could join St. Louis when first eligible during the second week of April.

The Rockies placed Marquez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Marquez's move to the 60-day IL to begin the season wasn't unexpected, as the veteran right-hander is completing his recovery from May 2023 Tommy John surgery and is unlikely to be available until the second half of the 2024 campaign. The Rockies were able to open up a 40-man roster spot for newly acquired outfielder Jake Cave by placing Marquez on the 60-day IL.

Taijuan Walker's shoulder injury could push Turnbull into the Phillies' rotation to begin the season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.comreports.

Turnbull joined Philadelphia on a one-year, $2 million contract in February and was set to begin the season as a long reliever or at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but Walker experienced shoulder discomfort Saturday and may be headed to the injured list. Turnbull returned from Tommy John surgery last season and struggled to a 7.26 ERA in seven starts for Detroit, but he pitched well in 2021 prior to the elbow injury with a 2.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 50 innings.

Gallen allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Guardians.

Gallen finished off spring training with Saturday's start and is ready to take the ball Opening Day, Thursday, at home against the Rockies. The right-hander posted a 5.54 ERA with nine strikeouts and seven walks over four Cactus League starts. Gallen is coming off a career-high 243.2 innings (including postseason) in 2023, and the Diamondbacks made sure to manage his spring workload. In addition to the increase in innings last season, Gallen experienced jumps in average exit velocity (91.5 mph, third percentile) and hard-hit percentage (46.2, fifth).

Walker reported shoulder discomfort while getting loose for a bullpen session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies sent Walker in for an MRI upon learning of his discomfort, and more information should be available Sunday after results come back. Should Walker have to begin the season on the injured list, Spencer Turnbull would claim the open spot in Philadelphia's rotation.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Steele (knee) is still scheduled to start for the Cubs on Opening Day against Texas, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele's status for the first game of the season had been in question after he took a hard comebacker off his left knee Friday against San Francisco. However, he only suffered a bruise as a result of the incident, and his knee doesn't seem to be bothering him enough to keep him off the mound. Steele owns a 4.91 ERA through 11 spring innings and will be making the first Opening Day start of his career Thursday.