MLB Player News

Stroman announced via his Twitter account that he will start Opening Day for the Cubs against the Brewers next Thursday

Stroman will get the ball against Corbin Burnes for the opener. The right-handed Stroman was limited to just 138.2 innings in 2022, but he pitched relatively well in his 25 starts with a 3.50 ERA and 119:36 K:BB ratio. Stroman will never be a fantasy ace because he doesn't miss enough bats, but he should again be a solid if unspectacular option in 2023.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said that Carrasco won't make his scheduled minor-league start Thursday due to "elbow maintenance," Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets don't seem to be even considering this an injury, as Carrasco is slated to make a minor-league start next Tuesday instead. The situation is an odd one, but Carrasco's elbow typically gives him a little trouble every spring. Barring any setbacks, fantasy managers should continue drafting him as they normally would. Carrasco holds a 4.15 ERA and 14:2 K:BB over 13 innings this spring.

Suarez is unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season after experiencing a setback with his left forearm, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Suarez was sent in for an MRI on Tuesday, and while the scan revealed no structural damage, he's still battling some inflammation. The left-hander will be shut down for a few days with the hope the swelling recedes and he's able to quickly resume a throwing program. The setback doesn't sound like a long-term concern for Suarez, but the Phillies will need a replacement in the rotation for the southpaw, and fellow lefty Matt Strahm appears to be the next man up for the assignment.

Montgomery hurled five scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League start against the Marlins.

Montgomery allowed six hits in the outing, and he finished with just one strikeout while not issuing a walk. The left-hander came into the outing with a 7.71 ERA over his first two outings in Florida, so this would easily qualify as his best Grapefruit League effort. Montgomery pitched well in 2022 with a 3.48 ERA and 158:36 K:BB over 178.1 innings with the Cardinals and Yankees, and he is expected to slot into the middle of the St. Louis rotation to begin the 2023 campaign.

Corbin gave up one run on five hits over six innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran lefty was facing a lineup that included the likes of Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor, as well as top prospects Francisco Alvarez and Mark Vientos, and after giving up a run in the first inning, Corbin shut down New York the rest of the way. His control has been nearly impeccable this spring, and Corbin has a 13:1 K:BB through 14 Grapefruit League innings over four starts; however, the 33-year-old hasn't posted an ERA below 4.66 or a WHIP below 1.47 since 2019 and remains a very risky fantasy option in 2023.

Flaherty allowed two runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Nationals.

Flaherty put a bit too much traffic on the bases, which shortened his outing. He threw 57 of 90 pitches for strikes, which suggests that he's entering 2023 fully healthy and ready for a starter's workload after an injury-plagued 2022. The right-hander should get one more spring start before lining up to pitch in the opening series versus the Blue Jays.

Wesneski is listed as the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Wesneski has pitched well over the spring with a 3.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts over his 12 innings of work. The right-hander is battling for one of the final spots in the Chicago rotation to open the year, and Javier Assad is also scheduled to pitch on Thursday. The results for Wesneski -- as well as Assad -- will go a long way in determining who will win the fifth starter job for the Cubs.

Gray gave up four hits over six scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander has put together a very encouraging spring, allowing only one run -- and zero home runs -- across 12.1 innings with an 11:1 K:BB. Gray has the talent to put together a breakout campaign in 2023 if he's able to keep the ball in the park consistently.

Hendricks (shoulder) revealed Wednesday that he will throw three more bullpen sessions before progressing to the live batting practice session phase of his schedule, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hendricks added that he feels like he's in regular spring training mode now rather than rehabbing. Since the veteran right-hander will begin facing hitters right around Opening Day, that would seem to put him in line for a rehab assignment not long after that. He's got a ways to go as he works his way back from last season's shoulder strain, but perhaps he'll be ready to rejoin the Cubs' rotation sometime in May.

Wood allowed one hit and struck out six over five scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League win over the Dodgers.

Wood faced a lineup that consisted of about half major-leaguers. This was Wood's longest and sharpest start of the spring -- he has a 3.72 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 9.2 innings through three appearances. He'll open the season near the back of the Giants' rotation, but Tuesday's outing suggests he's ready for the regular season. He may get one more tune-up during the exhibition slate before lining up to make his regular-season debut versus the White Sox.