MLB Player News

Soroka (Achilles) signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with Atlanta on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Soroka was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, but he'll land a one-year deal with the club to avoid arbitration ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander hasn't appeared in any games since August of 2020 but is hopeful he'll be able to return to game action at some point during the second half of the 2022 season. Soroka has been cleared to resume running and throwing, but he hasn't yet began mound work.

Walker (knee) will start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Walker underwent a debridement procedure on his right knee in mid-January, and he's slightly behind the team's other starting pitchers to begin spring training. However, he'll still draw the start during the Mets' first spring game. The right-hander hasn't yet ruled himself out for Opening Day but said he won't rush to return by the start of the regular season. If Walker is unavailable to begin the year, Tylor Megill and David Peterson would likely compete for a spot in the rotation.

Suarez expects to be ready for the start of the season despite visa issues delaying his arrival at camp, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez didn't arrive until Thursday, raising speculation that he wouldn't have time to fully build up before the start of the regular season. He was able to throw bullpen sessions before leaving Venezuela, however, and he believes he'll be ready ahead of Opening Day. It's possible the team has different ideas about his readiness, but any potential delay shouldn't last particularly long.

Morton (leg) threw about 40 pitches over three innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander faced Atlanta regulars like Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson and Austin Riley and showed no limitations. "That was really good for his psyche and everything else," manager Brian Snitker said afterward. "I thought the ball was coming out really well. He continues to amaze me." Morton appears to be on track for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, a remarkable recovery after he fractured his right leg during Game 1 of the World Series less than five months ago.

Suarez's visa issues have been resolved, and he arrived at camp Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez will be behind schedule after missing the first few days of camp, but exactly where he stands in his throwing progression remains to be seen. It's possible he's on a pitch count for his first start or two, but it seems likely that he'll be at full strength not long after Opening Day. That's good news for the Phillies, who may be without Zack Wheeler (shoulder) for at least a turn or two.

Boyd (elbow) signed a one-year, $5.2 million deal with the Giants on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Boyd underwent flexor tendon surgery in his left elbow in September and isn't expected to return until June. Once healthy, he'll compete for a spot in the Giants' increasingly crowded rotation. The lefty had what looked like a breakout season in 2019, as his typically sub-par strikeout rate spiked to 30.2 percent, though that came with a 4.56 ERA. He lost all his strikeout gains in 2020 as his ERA soared to 6.71 and then saw his strikeout rate slip still further to 19.9 percent in 2021, though that came with a career-best 3.89 ERA. What version of Boyd takes the mound in 2022 once he's healthy remains to be seen.

Flaherty (shoulder) is getting a second opinion on his MRI, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

While an official diagnosis on Flaherty's shoulder troubles is not yet available, the latest news doesn't seem particularly good, as there wouldn't be a need for a second opinion if the MRI results were clear and favorable. Even a minor delay is likely to cost him some time at the start of the season, but an extended absence could also be on the table.

Henry will start Thursday's spring training opener against the Rockies, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the roster for their Cactus League opener will primarily be prospects and minor-leaguers. The left-handed Henry, Arizona's 16th-ranked prospect per MLB.com, toiled in Double-A for the Amarillo Sod Poodles in 2021, when he posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 23 games and 115.2 innings. Lovullo said pitchers Caleb Smith, Joe Mantiply and J.B. Bukauskas -- all with MLB experience -- will each toss an inning, as they "came in as prepared as possible."

Steele will likely have added competition for the last spot in the Cubs' rotation after the team signed Steven Brault (lat) on Wednesday, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

The team is looking to fill a rotation spot with Adbert Alzolay out at least two months due to a lat strain. Brault is still recovering from a lat strain of his own suffered last season, but the lefty gives Chicago a veteran option, as he's made 52 career starts across six seasons at the MLB level. Steele, meanwhile, has nine career starts, which all came last year. The latter pitched decently, recording a 4.26 ERA and 59 strikeouts across 57 innings in 2021, so he could definitely grab hold of the No. 5 role with an impressive spring training.

Reds GM Nick Krall said Wednesday that Mahle is not on the trade block, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The trades of Sonny Gray, Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez have led to speculation that other Reds players might get dealt, and Mahle and Luis Castillo both have trade currency and are starting to get more expensive - Castillo more so. However, for now, neither starter will be changing teams.