MLB Player News

Soroka (hamstring) could return to game action soon, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Soroka was considered to be in a battle with Ian Anderson for the fifth starter spot to begin spring, but as Bowman notes, that competition essentially stopped when Soroka came into camp with a right hamstring strain. The talented right-hander has started throwing off the mound, however, and a return to spring action could be in the cards in the coming weeks. Soroka has not appeared in a major-league game since 2020, but he does offer upside based on his success prior to his injuries.

Gallen allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out one over two innings in Tuesday's spring start against Oakland.

Gallen pitched all of the first inning then portions of the second, third and fourth innings. A common thread in his first Cactus League start was base runners. Gallen's fastball velocity lived between 88 and 93 mph, per Michael McDermott of SI.com, and his typical control was not there, but the good news is that he got up and down four times and threw 62 pitches. The 27-year-old right-hander said the ball felt good out of his hand. Arizona's No. 1 starter should be on track to start Opening Day.

Quintana's flight to New York was canceled Tuesday, so there's been a delay in the Mets getting further testing on the stress fracture in his rib.

The left-hander will likely fly out Wednesday to get further testing. Mets manager Buck Showalter told reporters that he's hopeful for good news but noted that the injury does "take one more notch down on the depth list." Until Quintana completes the testing, there won't be a clear timetable for when the southpaw will be able to return.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson had no update Tuesday on the tests run on Painter's right elbow, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Painter was sent for various scans on his elbow last Friday after experiencing discomfort in the joint following his Grapefruit League debut last Wednesday. It seems the Phillies are either keeping the results under wraps or seeking more opinions -- maybe a concerning mix of both. "We're still trying to get all the information together," said Thomson. "He's such an important guy in our organization. Young, top prospect, we just want to make sure the information is right. And we'll give it to you at that point."

Wainwright will start for Team USA in their World Baseball Classic opener Saturday against Team Great Britain, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

This could wind up being an interesting test for the 41-year-old right-hander after he struggled to even reach 87 mph with his fastball during his two Grapefruit League starts for the Cardinals. Wainwright blamed the lack of velocity on some minor muscle issues in his lower back and upper legs. He registered a 3.71 ERA and 143:54 K:BB across 191.2 regular-season innings for St. Louis in 2022.

Peterson said he's fine Tuesday after taking a comebacker off his left foot during a Grapefruit League start Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's encouraging news given that Peterson now appears to be in the running for a spot in the Mets' season-opening starting rotation after Jose Quintana was diagnosed Monday with a stress fracture in his left ribcage. Peterson, 27, worked to a solid 3.83 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 105.2 innings (19 starts, nine relief appearances) last year for New York. He's worthy of late-round consideration in most fantasy drafts with a path toward an elevated role.

Wright (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday and live batting practice Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

If those workouts go off without a hitch, Wright should be able to make his Grapefruit League debut sometime next week. That would allow him to fit in three exhibition starts before camp breaks, and he could then feasibly take the ball in Atlanta's second regular-season series against the Cardinals. The 27-year-old right-hander has been working through a shoulder issue that popped up in January and required a cortisone injection.

Anderson gave up an unearned run on one hit and two walks over 2.1 innings while striking out five in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Working behind Charlie Morton and entering the game in the fourth inning, Anderson faced a New York lineup that was a mix of regulars like Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres and younger players. The right-hander turned in a much better line than in his first spring appearance, but Anderson still wasn't exactly sharp, and he now sports a 6:5 K:BB through 3.2 Grapefruit League innings. If he can get the walks under control over the next couple weeks, Anderson should lock down the fifth starter role for Atlanta, but if he continues to have trouble finding the plate, Bryce Elder might leapfrog him on the depth chart.

Anderson got promoted Tuesday to the major-league side of Reds camp.

Anderson was re-signed to a minor-league contract just before the start of spring training and has maybe put himself in position to claim an Opening Day roster spot. The veteran right-hander struggled to a 6.38 ERA over seven starts and two relief appearances with Cincinnati last season. If he does make the squad, it will likely be as a long reliever or mop-up man.

Matz said after throwing three perfect innings against the Astros on Monday that "I feel the strongest I ever have in my career," Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz struck out four while needing just 39 pitches to navigate through his three perfect frames. He touched 95 mph with his sinker, which is more velocity than he typically shows at this point in camp. Matz is looking to bounce back from a disappointing first season in St. Louis which saw him limited to just 48 innings due to injuries.