MLB Player News

Peterson (foot) could be behind Tylor Megill in the pecking order for a rotation spot with the Mets following Jose Quintana's (rib) injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Peterson has missed a little time this spring with a foot contusion (he could return Tuesday), but this seems to be more about the team viewing Megill as having more upside. Quintana is expected to be sidelined until around the All-Star break, so the Mets figure to wind up needing both pitchers, anyway. Peterson held a 3.83 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 105.2 innings in 2022 and is worthy of a late flier in fantasy leagues even if he doesn't start the year in the rotation.

Megill might be the favorite to open the season as the Mets' fifth starter with Jose Quintana (rib) sidelined, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

David Peterson pitched well for the Mets last season and would give the team a lefty alongside four righties in the rotation. However, Puma writes that the Mets "appear most intrigued by the idea of giving the spot to Megill," who held a 1.93 ERA over his first five starts in 2022 before his season was sidetracked by injury. Megill is healthy now, though, and has allowed just one run over his first 4.1 innings this spring. With Quintana expected to be out until around the All-Star break, the Mets might ultimately need both Megill and Peterson to make plenty of starts.

Quintana (rib) is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least three months, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Monday.

When asked earlier Monday, Mets manager Buck Showalter wasn't ready to commit to Quintana starting the season on the injured list. However, it's clear the skipper was just waiting for the team to get their ducks in a row before announcing anything. Quintana is dealing with a small stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side and the team looks to be taking a cautious approach with his recovery. He'll resume a throwing program around mid-June, with a return potentially around the All-Star break. With Quintana on the shelf, the Mets will need David Peterson and/or Tylor Megill to shoulder some of the rotation load, with Megill perhaps having a leg up.

Manager David Bell said Monday he expects Ashcraft (calf) to be available to start the next time his turn comes up in the Reds' Cactus League rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft exited his most recent start Sunday against the Dodgers with what the team labeled as calf cramps, and after further evaluation, his injury doesn't appear to be any more serious than that. Assuming Ashcraft is able to complete a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday without incident, he should be ready to pitch in a game as soon as Friday.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Monday that Quintana (rib) is not a given to begin the season on the injured list, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Showalter's comments appear to be more of a case of him not knowing what the exact plan is yet with Quintana rather than him being confident the lefty can avoid an IL stint. One week ago, Quintana was diagnosed with a small stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side, and the team has yet to map out a schedule for him while his imaging is viewed by multiple parties. More should be known about the veteran hurler's status later this week, but for now his outlook remains up in the air.

Ashby (shoulder) is scheduled to do some flat-ground throwing Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby is nearing the end of a six-week shutdown period while he works his way back from an impingement and slight labral tear in his left shoulder. The hope is that the southpaw will be ready to rejoin the Brewers around mid-May, although he'll have a lot of boxes to check to make that happen.

Senga (finger) threw off flat ground from about 90 feet Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga remains inactive off a mound as he nurses tendinitis at the base of his right index finger, but Monday's throwing session is a step in the right direction for the right-hander. Senga is confident that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day, but only time will tell. The Mets will certainly be cautious with their potential star, and the 30-year-old will likely have many more throwing sessions ahead of the regular season.

Nelson allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 relief innings during Sunday's spring game against Colorado.

It was a day for the two leading candidates for the No. 5 starter job. Drey Jameson started for the Diamondbacks, giving up five runs over three-plus innings, while Nelson threw multiple relief innings. Statistically, Jameson has produced better Cactus League results, but Nelson is trending upward, including a promising stint in a "B" game that doesn't count toward his spring statistics. Others in the hunt for the same role are Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt.

Carrasco gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits over four innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The K's were encouraging, but Carrasco also served up two homers -- one to top Tampa prospect Kyle Manzardo, and the other to 26-year-old minor leaguer Niko Hulsizer. Carrasco has now given up four homers through nine spring innings to go with a solid 7:1 K:BB, but as yet there's little cause for concern with the veteran right-hander.

Gore allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings while striking out three in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Facing a lineup of St. Louis prospects and bench players, Gore didn't seem to be fooling many people at the plate -- three of the four hits off the southpaw went for extra bases, including a Kramer Robertson homer -- as he gave up a pair of runs in each of his first two frames before settling down. The fact that he did battle through and deliver two clean innings before exiting is encouraging though, and Gore finished his day having thrown 65 pitches (38 strikes). The 24-year-old appears close to ready for Opening Day, but his biggest hurdle in 2023 will be to simply stay healthy and take a regular turn in the rotation -- Gore tossed 87 innings across all levels last year, and his career high for innings is only 101, a mark he set in 2019 between High-A and Double-A in the Padres system.