MLB Player News

Luzardo gave up four hits and a walk over four scoreless innings while striking out five Wednesday in Venezuela's 5-1 win over Israel in the WBC.

The southpaw overmatched an Israel lineup that featured just three players with any big-league experience, tossing 35 of 50 pitches for strikes before exiting. Luzardo was looking good in Grapefruit League play before the tournament started as well, posting a 10:1 K:BB through 8.2 innings, and after putting together a 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 30.0 percent strikeout rate through 100.1 innings for the Marlins in 2022. His ability to stay healthy might be the only thing standing between the 25-year-old and a breakout campaign.

Lugo has a 1.46 ERA through 12.1 innings (four starts) this spring in the Cactus League.

Lugo is going to get a chance to operate as a normal-functioning starter this season in San Diego, and he would seem to have the goods to deliver meaningful fantasy production in that role. The 33-year-old right-hander worked exclusively in relief over his final two seasons with the Mets and posted a combined 3.56 ERA with 124 strikeouts across 111.1 innings.

Verlander gave up only one hit over five scoreless innings while striking out eight in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The right-hander fired 51 of 71 pitches for strikes as he continues a dominant spring. Verlander has a dazzling 16:0 K:BB through 11.1 innings in Grapefruit League action, and the 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner appears more than ready for the beginning of the regular season. Mets manager Buck Showalter has yet to announce whether Verlander or Max Scherzer will get the Opening Day start, but there's no wrong answer between the two aces.

Wesneski is viewed as the favorite to win the final spot in the Cubs' rotation, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Adrian Sampson was considered the favorite for the gig when camp opened, but he's struggled, while Wesneski hasn't allowed an earned run over 8.2 Cactus League innings, boasting an 11:2 K:BB along the way. Javier Assad is also a candidate and has pitched well, too, but Mooney writes that "it would be a big surprise" if Wesneski isn't the choice. The righty was excellent down the stretch for the Cubs last season and makes for an intriguing late-round selection in fantasy leagues.

Cavalli was diagnosed Thursday with a Grade 3 sprain of his right ulnar collateral ligament and will require Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Cavalli injured his elbow during his most recent Grapefruit League outing and an MRI revealed the bad news. The top prospect had been set to open the 2023 campaign in the Nationals' rotation but now figures to be sidelined until around midseason next year. Chad Kuhl appears likely to slide into the rotation spot vacated by Cavalli.

Contreras will be in the rotation for the entire 2023 season, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Contreras spent the majority of the 2022 season in Pittsburgh, but he was used inconsistently. Despite pitching out of the rotation for much of the campaign, he was limited to fewer than five innings in 10 of his 21 appearances. Even so, between Triple-A Indianapolis and his work in the majors, Contreras complied 129.1 frames, so he could reasonably throw as many as 150 innings in 2023 so long as he maintains his health.

Hamels (shoulder) has looked better than expected in throwing sessions and the Padres are hopeful he can be an option for them around midseason, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hamels agreed to a minor-league contract with the Friars in mid-February and is being eased back into things this spring following all of the missed time due to shoulder issues. The veteran left-hander appears to be healthy now, though, and has apparently surprised the team by how well he's been throwing. Hamels figures to stay in extended spring training for a while before joining a minor-league affiliate to make some starts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday that Gonsolin (ankle) has started throwing, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Gonsolin has started playing long toss and was able to throw from 120 feet Tuesday in Arizona. The right-hander is dealing with an ankle sprain significant enough to potentially cost him the start of the 2023 season. It's a positive sign he's resumed throwing, however, and there should be further updates on Gonsolin's status in the coming days.

Sanchez was recently shut down with left triceps soreness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies have dealt with injury trouble from several of their arms this spring, and Sanchez's triceps soreness is the latest that will test the team's pitching depth. The team hasn't provided an official timeline for how long the left-hander will be shut down from throwing, but the timing of his injury this late in spring training could hurt his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

Ashby (shoulder) played catch on flat ground Wednesday in Brewers camp, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby said he was tossing at a distance of about 75 feet and that the workout lasted around 10 minutes. He plans to do something similar within the next couple of days, assuming his left shoulder continues to respond well. The 24-year-old southpaw will open the 2023 season on the injured list after being diagnosed last month with a slight labral tear and impingement, but he could be an option for Milwaukee by mid-May if there are no hiccups in his throwing progression.