MLB Player News

Darvish will start for the Padres on Thursday versus the Giants in the team's domestic opener, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish drew the start in the first game of the team's series in South Korea versus the Dodgers back on March 20, and the Padres have elected to give him the ball again for their home opener. He'll be followed by Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, Michael King and Matt Waldron.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Falter will be included in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Earlier Monday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com confirmed that Falter had made the roster, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the southpaw would begin the season in the rotation or work in long relief. Shelton brought clarity on that front when he spoke to the media, with Falter's inclusion in the rotation seemingly indicating that Luis Ortiz has missed out on the No. 5 starter's role and will be ticketed for the bullpen or for Triple-A Indianapolis. Additionally, Shelton mapped out the rotation through the Pirates' first five games, noting that Falter is set to make his first turn in Sunday's series finale in Miami. Over 18 appearances (14 starts) between the Phillies and Pirates in 2023, Falter went 2-9 with a 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB over 80.2 innings.

Steele (knee) declared himself ready to start Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers in Arlington after he threw a bullpen session Monday without incident, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Even though he left early in his final Cactus League start Friday against the Giants due to a left knee contusion, Steele never appeared to be in legitimate danger of missing out on the Opening Day assignment. Before hurting his knee Friday, Steele had built up to 64 pitches and four innings in his prior Cactus League start March 12, so he should be capable of giving the Cubs at least 75 pitches and five innings in Thursday's opener. The 28-year-old lefty is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign in which he went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 176:36 K:BB over 173.1 innings en route to a fifth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.

Miley (shoulder, groin) will throw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

If the sim game goes off without a hitch, Miley will then report to Triple-A Nashville, where he'll make a couple rehab starts. The veteran left-hander missed most of spring training with a shoulder injury and, more recently, a groin issue. He will begin the season on the 15-day injured list but would seem to have a shot to be activated when first eligible April 9.

Taillon (back) will throw one inning of live batting practice Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He'll then face hitters again Friday and, if that goes well, will make an appearance in a minor-league game after that. Taillon is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-April with his back injury, and a clearer timetable for his return won't be available until he makes some rehab appearances.

General manager Ben Cherington said that Jones will start the Pirates' third game of the regular season Saturday in Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cherington confirmed that Jones will be part of the Pirates' Opening Day roster, though Pittsburgh still has yet to officially select the 22-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster. Heading into spring training, Jones looked to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot with the big club, but he made it impossible for the Pirates to leave him off the roster after he allowed just three unearned runs to go along with a 15:8 K:BB in 16.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. Like most young pitchers, control will likely be a concern for Jones in his first taste of the big leagues, but the strikeout upside he displayed in the spring as well as in every stop of the minors make him a worthy late-round target in fantasy drafts.

Woodruff (shoulder) confirmed Saturday that he won't pitch during the 2024 season but expects to return to full strength for 2025, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "Honestly, I'm going [to] be the strongest I'll ever be at any point in my career because I'm going [to] have a year and just basically get my body ready for pitching," Woodruff said.

The Brewers non-tendered Woodruff in November, about a month after he underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He reunited with Milwaukee in February on a two-year, $7.5 million deal, with both parties recognizing that the 2024 portion of the contract would be dedicated to rehab and recovery. Since having surgery in the fall, Woodruff seems to be encouraged with where he stands five months later. He's already started playing catch again and could advance to throwing off a mound at some point during the summer. Milwaukee placed Woodruff on the 60-day injured list Feb. 21, and he'll remain off the 40-man roster for the entire season before being reinstated.

Falter was informed Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stumpf relays that prospect Jared Jones will be included in the Opening Day rotation, but it's not yet clear whether Falter, Luis Ortiz or someone else will fill the fifth and final starting spot. Falter doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so if he misses out on a rotation spot, he would most head to the bullpen since he would have to be moved off the 40-man roster in order to be eligible to pitch in the minors.

Jones was informed Monday that he's made the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

While the team has yet to confirm that Jones will be part of its rotation, that's the expectation. The hard-throwing right-hander earned a spot by allowing just three unearned runs during spring training, compiling a 15:8 K:BB over 16.1 innings of work. Jones has not yet pitched in the big leagues and doesn't have great control, but the 22-year-old certainly possesses some bat-missing ability.

Quantrill will start the second game of the regular season against the Diamondbacks, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Quantrill was hit hard in his final outing of spring training, but he's still set to follow Kyle Freeland in the rotation as the Rockies' second starter. Positively, he's worked 4.2 innings in each of his last two starts, so he should be able to handle a full workload to begin the campaign.