MLB Player News

Anderson is working on a slider, though he expects to continue to primarily throw his fastball and changeup, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 2016 third-overall pick cruised to a 3.25 ERA in 30 starts across his first two years in the league, but he stumbled to a 5.00 ERA in 22 outings last year. Still just 24 years old, there's plenty of time for him to recapture his previous form. It seems like he's doing the work to get there, as recent reports have also indicated that he's adjusted his delivery as well as his pitch mix. Even the revamped version of Anderson isn't a lock to open the year in Atlanta's rotation, however, as Mike Soroka (hamstring) and Bryce Elder will also get the chance to stake their claim.

Buehler (elbow) will begin a throwing program within the next two weeks, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery in August, but he's yet to be officially ruled out for the upcoming season. He'd have to be on the faster end of the typical timeline to do so, and he's unlikely to throw more than a handful of innings, but it will give him something to work toward throughout the year as he continues his recovery.

Wesneski is in contention to break camp as the Cubs' fifth starter, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The spot may be only be a temporary one until Kyle Hendricks returns from his shoulder injury, and there are a long number of other candidates for the role, but it's still encouraging news for those expecting Wesneski to take a big jump this season. After coming over at the deadline in the Scott Effross trade, Wesneski cruised to a 2.18 ERA and 33:7 K:BB in 33 innings in his first taste of the majors. If he does indeed get the chance to take a few turns in the rotation to start the year, it's possible he pitches too well to give up the role.

Marquez (hamstring) did some light running Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez is dealing with a minor hamstring issue which prevented him from joining Venezuela's roster for the first round of the World Baseball Classic. He has plenty of time to be ready by Opening Day, however, and he hasn't even been ruled out for subsequent stages of the international tournament.

Soroka (hamstring) played catch Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka has dealt with more than his fair share of injuries recently, missing the majority of the last three seasons due to a pair of Achilles tears as well as arm issues, including a sore elbow which shut him down early last September. His latest issue, a bout of hamstring tightness, doesn't seem likely to significantly hamper his preparation for Opening Day.

Cabrera could be fighting with Braxton Garrett for the final spot in the Marlins' Opening Day rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The offseason addition of Johnny Cueto could push a younger pitcher to Triple-A Jacksonville, although the team is also considering a six-man rotation. Cabrera was very impressive at times in 2022, riding his 96 mph fastball and nasty changeup to a 25.8 percent strikeout rate and 13.7 percent swinging strike rate, but the 24-year-old righty's 11.3 percent walk rate over 71.2 big-league innings indicates he could perhaps use some additional development time at Triple-A.

Garrett could be fighting with Edward Cabrera for the final spot in the Marlins' Opening Day rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The offseason addition of Johnny Cueto could push a younger pitcher to Triple-A Jacksonville, although the team is also considering a six-man rotation. Garrett took a big step forward with his command in 2022, posting a 24.1 percent strikeout rate and 6.4 percent walk rate over 17 starts and 88 innings, and the 25-year-old southpaw could be poised for a breakout if he gets a chance to be a regular part of the Marlins' rotation.

Anderson returned to the Reds on a minor-league contract Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Anderson made seven starts and two relief appearances for the Reds last season, struggling to a 6.38 ERA. That ERA at least beat the 7.22 and 6.75 marks he'd posted the previous two years. Even on a weak Reds roster, Anderson probably shouldn't break camp with a rotation spot, but when the top competition for the last two jobs consists of Luis Cessa, Justin Dunn, Connor Overton and Luke Weaver, it's not impossible that things could break his way.

Lucchesi will be stretched out as a starter in spring training, indicating he could begin the regular season in the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Lucchesi will either work out of the big-league bullpen or get stashed in Syracuse. As the 29-year-old lefty has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. Lucchesi didn't pitch at all in the majors last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but made eight of his 11 appearances for the Mets in 2021 as a starter, posting a 4.46 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB over 38.1 innings.

Megill will be stretched out as a starter in camp but is likely to begin the regular season as part of Triple-A Syracuse's rotation, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets have five veteran starters on guaranteed contracts, which means when everyone is healthy, depth options like Megill will either work out of the big-league bullpen or head down to Syracuse. As the 27-year-old right-hander has minor-league options remaining, the latter route seems more likely to begin the season. Megill appeared in 15 games (nine starts) for the Mets in 2022 and was the team's Opening Day starter, posting a 2.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB in 33.1 innings over six starts in April and May before injuries put him off course the rest of the way.