MLB Player News

Garrett is expected to break camp in the big leagues, but he'll be a long reliever rather than a sixth starter if he fails to win a rotation spot over Edward Cabrera, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett and Cabrera have been in a battle all spring, and at one point it seemed as though they could both emerge victorious, with the Marlins seemingly open to a six-man rotation. The decision has been made to go the traditional five-man route instead, but the loser of the battle should still remain on the roster, as injuries have left Miami with just 13 healthy pitchers in big-league camp. Garrett's 8.25 ERA this spring is far worse than Cabrera's 1.86 mark, though Garrett's 12:5 K:BB is more impressive than Cabrera's seven strikeouts and four walks.

Alcantara struck out eight over three perfect innings in Friday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros.

The right-hander was sensational once again, and the 2022 NL Cy Young winner has a miniscule 0.68 ERA over his work in the exhibition season with a 15:4 K:BB through 13.1 innings. Everything Alcantara has shown so far this spring suggests he will once again be among the best pitchers in baseball during the 2023 season.

Gallen allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Reds.

This was Gallen's final Cactus League outing before he takes the ball Opening Day against the Dodgers. He gave up two home runs to round out a spring with ugly results: 15 earned runs in 16.1 innings with 10 walks. The right-hander didn't sound concerned when he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he did "zero" work on game planning for his spring opponents, which isn't unusual. Of note, his fastball was down a couple ticks, from 94.2 mph last season to 92.5 mph Thursday, and it's been down all camp according to Piecoro. Nevertheless, Gallen threw 82 pitches and worked into the sixth inning, so he'll be fully stretched out to begin the regular season.

Webb will get the ball for Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Mariners, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Webb will get the start for the final time in Cactus League play Saturday, and then will be on normal rest for his Opening Day tilt against the Yankees on Thursday. The right-hander has struggled in a limited sample in Arizona with a 5.54 ERA over 13 innings, but his success over the previous two seasons -- including a 2.90 ERA in 192.1 innings in 2022 -- makes him a strong fantasy option to begin the 2023 campaign.

Rockies manager Bud Black suggested that Seabold could make the Opening Day roster as a bullpen option, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

"I like his stuff, "Black said. "He's got a starter past. that gives him some pitchability -- the ability to give us length if he pitches out of the bullpen." Seabold also hasn't been ruled out for a rotation spot, as he's battling for one of the final places in the starting rotation. So far in the Cactus League, the 27-year-old has a 4.35 ERA, but five of his runs allowed over 10.1 innings came in one outing. Be it as a starter or a long reliever it sounds like Seabold has a good chance of breaking camp with the Rockies to begin 2023.

Pepiot has won the final spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander might only hold that spot for a couple of turns as Tony Gonsolin works back from a left ankle sprain, but Pepiot should carry considerable fantasy streaming appeal for however long he's in the Dodgers' rotation. He posted a cool 3.47 ERA with 42 strikeouts over his first 36.1 major-league innings in 2022.

Grove was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grove did not win the final spot in the Dodgers' rotation, and instead it will be Ryan Pepiot who will be the fifth starter for Los Angeles. Grove will begin the year back in the Pacific Coast League, and the 26-year-old could be an option if Pepiot falters or there's an injury to another member of the rotation.

Freeland is lined up to start the second game of the regular season for the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

German Marquez was announced Friday as the team's Opening Day starter next Thursday at San Diego, and Freeland will then follow him in the Colorado rotation mix. This also puts Freeland on track to start the Rockies' home opener April 6 versus the Nationals. The 29-year-old left-hander worked to a 4.53 ERA and 131:53 K:BB over 174.2 innings (31 starts) last season.

Verlander will start the third game of the Mets' season against Miami on April 1, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Starting in the Mets' third game puts Verlander in line to pitch in New York's home opener, which manager Buck Showalter said was the goal. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been looking like his usual self this spring with a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 16 innings.

Matz allowed one run on three hits and struck out five over six innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Yankees.

The one run allowed by Matz came on a solo home run by Oswaldo Cabrera. Over 17.2 innings this spring, Matz has a 1.53 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB. After knee and shoulder injuries limited the southpaw in 2022, his strong spring has him poised for a bounce-back season. He's a lock for the Cardinals' rotation, though he has reached 150 innings only three times in his major-league career.