MLB Player News

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.

Walker threw four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts Tuesday for Team Mexico in a start against Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.

Walker allowed just one hit with one walk and showed off his athleticism by making a couple of impressive plays off the mound. The right-hander threw 40 of 63 pitches for strikes in one of the more impressive pitching performances of the tournament. Walker signed with the Phillies in the offseason, and if Philadelphia gets this version of the 30-year-old, both the club and fantasy managers should be very happy.

Woodruff won't make his scheduled start during Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Diamondbacks due to wet field conditions, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

There's a good chance the game will be rained out anyhow, but either way, Woodruff will get his work in on the side. If the contest is played, Matt Bush will serve as an opener and be followed by Gus Varland and Hoby Milner.

Montgomery will pitch in a simulated game on a back field Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery has struggled to begin spring training, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and a walk with six strikeouts over seven innings. Despite the early issues, the southpaw is in no danger of falling out of the Cardinals' rotation. He's on a one-year, $10 million contract this season, and he figures to slot in behind Jack Flaherty at the top end of the rotation.

Peterson walked one and struck out five over four scoreless, no-hit innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

With Jose Quintana (ribs) projected to be out until around the All-Star break, there's an opening in the Mets' rotation, and the competition for it is fierce. Tylor Megill fired four scoreless innings against the Marlins on Monday with three strikeouts, but Peterson topped that Tuesday with a brilliant performance over 68 pitches (41 strikes) against a Washington lineup that contained a handful of Opening Day starters, including CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz and Corey Dickerson. Peterson might have the edge over Megill right now simply by virtue of the fact that he'd be the only southpaw in the New York rotation, but this battle could come right down to the wire.