MLB Player News

Carrasco (elbow) threw 70 pitches Tuesday in a minor-league game, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Carrasco was scratched from a minor-league start last week due to what was called "elbow maintenance." There doesn't seem to be much -- if any -- concern around the veteran right-hander, who is lined up to make his first regular-season start for the Mets next Monday at the Brewers.

Williams will start the Nationals' fourth regular-season game next Monday against the Rays, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll follow Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore in the Nats' season-opening starting rotation. Williams signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Washington over the winter after posting a steady 3.21 ERA and 84:23 K:BB across 89.2 innings (nine starts, 21 relief appearances) last year for the Mets. He could carry fantasy streaming appeal in the right matchups.

Gore will start the Nationals' third game of the regular season Sunday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

It'll be Patrick Corbin on Opening Day, Josiah Gray in the second game, Gore in the third and Trevor Williams in the fourth. Gore wrapped up his spring with 3.2 scoreless innings Tuesday afternoon against the Yankees, issuing two walks but striking out four. He still carries a lot of long-term upside at age 24, but the former top prospect still has a lot to prove as he finally debuts in Washington.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Tuesday that Oviedo will open the season in the starting rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Shelton revealed that news during Tuesday's spring finale against the Twins, just as Oviedo was finishing up a strong five-inning outing during which he struck out seven hitters. The 25-year-old will be filling in for JT Brubaker (forearm) initially, but he has a chance to stick around long term if he shows well out of the gate. Oviedo posted an encouraging 3.23 ERA in seven starts down the stretch last season with the Pirates after being acquired from the Cardinals. If he can improve his command, there might be fantasy streaming appeal in favorable matchups.

Walker said Tuesday that his goal is to reach 180 innings this season, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

That would be a career-high workload for the 30-year-old right-hander, who finished at 157.1 innings with the Mets in 2022. The velocity readings have been down on Walker's entire arsenal this spring, but maybe that's by design as he aims to be more efficient. He signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies back in December and has been working with pitching coach Caleb Cotham on a plan to induce softer contact.

Lauer posted a 11.57 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 11.2 innings over four appearances this spring.

Lauer had a rough go of it this spring, but he was hit hard in the exhibition season in both 2021 and 2022 and righted the ship when the regular season got underway, so there may not be as much cause for concern as it appears.

Gonsolin (ankle) is hopeful of rejoining the Dodgers' rotation in late April, according to MLB.com.

The right-hander threw a 20-25 pitch bullpen session Monday but is still "a ways away," manager Dave Roberts said afterward. Gonsolin does appear to be over his left ankle sprain at this point and it's now just about rebuilding his stamina. He'll surely need a rehab start or two before returning to the Dodgers in about a month.

Musgrove (toe) threw 65 pitches over four innings in a 'B' game Monday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove tossed a simulated game last Wednesday, but the batters he faced in that outing weren't allowed to swing. That wasn't the case in Monday's 'B' game, and the injured hurler even tested his toe by covering first base on an out. Though Musgrove will open the regular season on the injured list, he said Monday that the toe he fractured in a weight room accident "is the least of my concerns" and added that his focus now is on "executing pitches and getting the feel right." Musgrove is next expected to pitch in a minor-league contest Saturday, and all signs point to him being ready to come off the IL and return to the Padres as soon as he is eligible.

Cobb (knee) threw four innings in a minor-league contest in Scottsdale on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cobb told Pavlovic after the game that he felt "good" and that he'll be ready for the start of the season. While the right-hander does appear likely to be in the rotation from the start of the campaign, the Giants have not decided if Cobb will start the second game of the season or get pushed back. It's something to keep an eye on for those who roster Cobb in fantasy leagues, as he would face the Yankees if does start the second game or the White Sox if pushed down.

Groome was optioned to Triple-A El Paso by the Padres on Monday.

Groome showed some flashes of brilliance in Arizona during the Cactus League with a 1.29 ERA, but he also registered a 13:10 K:BB which showed that the command still has some work to be done. The 2016 first-round pick could be an option for San Diego before the end of the year.