MLB Player News

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.

The Marlins informed Meyer on Saturday that he would make the team's Opening Day roster, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Along with winning a roster spot, Meyer is also the favorite to begin the season as the fifth member of Miami's starting rotation. The 25-year-old right-hander fired seven scoreless innings this spring while striking out five batters and walking one. Meyer's time in the majors may be short-lived, however, with Eury Perez (elbow), Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) all potentially returning relatively early in the season.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings in Friday's spring start against Oakland.

Ashcraft allowed runs in the first two innings then settled in before escaping a bases-loaded situation in the fifth after he walked three batters. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 5.52 ERA, 12 strikeouts and eight walks over 14.2 innings (four starts).

Henry could claim a spot in the rotation after Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) was shut down from throwing, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks confirmed Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list, which opens up a second spot in the rotation. Henry had been competing with Ryne Nelson and Bryce Jarvis for the No. 5 job, but Nelson had the clear edge on that based on spring results. Gilbert believes Arizona will keep both Henry and Nelson as starters, while Jarvis could serve as the long man in the bullpen. Henry had a few rough spring starts before throwing 3.1 scoreless innings Wednesday. The left-hander finished the Cactus League with a 6.88 ERA, 12 strikeouts and six walks over 17 innings (six appearances). It's possible he throws in one of the two games scheduled Monday or Tuesday against the Guardians after Arizona breaks camp.

Nelson allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine over five innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Nelson put the finishing touches on a promising spring. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 2.66 ERA, 26 strikeouts and seven walks over 20.1 innings (six starts). He led the competition for the final rotation spot and seems assured of one given the news that Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) will open the season on the injured list.

Steele suffered a left knee contusion during Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The southpaw was hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of Luis Matos during the second inning of Friday's contest, but it seems Steele managed to escape without any serious injuries. It remains to be seen whether he'll start as scheduled Opening Day, but a trip to the injured list appears unlikely. Steele has allowed six earned runs across 11 innings this spring while striking out 13 batters and walking two.