MLB Player News

Luzardo is focused on pitching deeper into games this season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Sandy Alcantara out for all of 2024 while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Luzardo is stepping into the role of staff ace for the Marlins, and he's taking the job seriously. "First-pitch strikes are No. 1 probably on his list, and then early outs," manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday. "We want him to eat up innings. He wants to eat up innings and he wants to be the ace of the staff... He wants to show that he can go deep in games and help out the bullpen and be that guy." Luzardo lasted at least seven innings in only five of his 32 starts last season, although he did produce 17 quality starts, so better pitch efficiency would put less pressure on the Miami bullpen. The 26-year-old southpaw struggled to put away hitters in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, allowing three runs on five hits over 3.1 innings and 67 pitches (45 strikes), but he struck out four without walking a batter and now sports a 12:1 K:BB through 12 spring frames.

Waldron appears to have an inside track for a spot in the Padres' Opening Day rotation, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

While reaching the big leagues for the first time last season as a 26-year-old, Waldron made six starts for San Diego and posted so-so ratios (4.35 ERA, 4.42 xERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11.0 K-BB%) over his 41.1 total innings with the big club. The Padres lost Blake Snell, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to free agency this winter, but after bringing in three rotation candidates in Michael King, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito from the Yankees in the deal that sent outfielder Juan Soto to The Bronx, Waldron still appeared to enter spring training on the outside looking in for a starting role. However, Waldron seems to have solidified his case for a rotation spot with an outstanding showing thus far in Cactus League play, as he's struck out 12 over 15.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on 13 hits and no walks. While it may be enough for Waldron to break camp with the club, the right-hander still looks to be more of a name to keep an eye on in NL-only leagues rather than mixed leagues at this juncture, given his lack of pedigree and poor numbers at Triple-A El Paso in 2023 (7.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 92.1 innings).

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Cabrera (shoulder) will resume throwing soon, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera has been diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement and almost surely will miss out on the Opening Day roster. However, the Marlins seem confident that the big right-hander won't have to miss too much time to begin the season. Ryan Weathers is in line to slide into Miami's rotation until Cabrera is ready.

Ashcraft allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings in Tuesday's spring start against the White Sox.

The good news is that Ashcraft worked four innings; the bad news is that he didn't have a feel for his slider, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "It was either staying arm side or it was going down in the dirt on the left side," the right-hander said. Ashcraft has a 7.00 ERA over three Cactus League starts.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed Tuesday that Rea will begin the season as part of the Brewers' starting rotation, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rea accumulated a 4.55 ERA and 1.19 WHIP alongside a 110:38 K:BB across 124.2 innings last season, but the 33-year-old righty has looked much sharper this spring. Murphy's announcement comes immediately after Rea pitched four shutout innings against the Cubs while striking out seven batters and surrendering just one walk. With Rea officially claiming a rotation spot, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby, Jakob Junis and Joe Ross will compete with each other for the last two starting jobs in Milwaukee.

Gallen allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against San Diego.

Gallen, who made his second Cactus League start, didn't get the results he wanted, but the right-hander told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that he was he was more focused on fine-tuning his fastball and curveball. All but four of his 45 pitches consisted of one of those two offerings. In two spring starts, Gallen has allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings.

Miley (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session with two "up-downs" Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The up-downs are used to best simulate a pitcher's rest in between innings. Miley came out of the session well and played catch Tuesday. He is slated to face hitters next, although when that might happen isn't clear. Miley doesn't have much runway before Opening Day, but the 37-year-old is not yet ruling it out.

Corbin gave up three runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out six.

The Ks were a good sign for Corbin despite the final line, as was the fact that Monday's free passes were his first of the spring. His 16:2 K:BB in 12.1 innings does come with a 5.11 ERA, but the former metric is generally a better sign of how a pitcher is performing in camp. Corbin got stretched out to 74 pitches (45 strikes) and appears just about ready for Opening Day, but given that he hasn't posted an ERA below 5.20 over a full season since 2019, the 34-year-old southpaw is little more than an endgame dart even in deep fantasy formats.

The Marlins optioned Meyer to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander didn't allow a run in seven innings across his three appearances during spring training, but he won't stick with the big club for the duration of camp. Meyer still shouldn't be ruled out for a spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation with both Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) likely headed for the injured list to begin the campaign. Even if Meyer does open the season in the minors, it's likely only a matter of time before the Marlins give him a look in 2024.

Megill allowed one run on three hits over four innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Aside from a second-inning solo shot by Tim Anderson, Megill looked sharp once again as he built up to 61 pitches (36 strikes). With Kodai Senga (shoulder) beginning the season on the IL, Megill appears ticketed for an Opening Day rotation spot, and he's earned it with an impressive 15:2 K:BB over 12 spring innings.