MLB Player News

Cabrera (biceps) completed a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Cabrera reports no setbacks with his right biceps coming out of the workout, he'll be in line to throw another side session Friday. Cabrera was sidelined for all of spring training due to an inflamed nerve in his biceps, but he appears to be making solid progress since initiating a throwing program in early April. He could be ready to join the Triple-A Jacksonville rotation at some point in late May.

Sanchez (shoulder) recently increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez is expected to play catch from 105 feet for at least a few more days before pushing that distance up to 120 feet. After that, Sanchez could be cleared to start throwing off a mound, but he'll likely require a ramp-up period of at least 3-to-4 weeks before the Marlins clear him to make his 2021 debut. The 22-year-old righty may be tough to justify holding in shallow leagues or in deeper leagues with limited or no injured-list spots, given that his debut isn't yet imminent along with the fact that he could be rusty coming off the shoulder injury.

Freeland (shoulder) is pitching in a simulated game Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland's progression to facing hitters is a positive sign as he looks to move past the left shoulder strain that has sidelined him since late in spring training. The southpaw may require at least one more rehab start or simulated-game appearance Tuesday before the Rockies are comfortable activating him from the 10-day injured list, perhaps at some point late next week.

The Cardinals recalled Oviedo from their alternate training site Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Reliever Jordan Hicks (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list to create an opening on the active roster for Oviedo, who is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Mets. The Cardinals are in the midst of a stretch of 17 games in 17 days, so manager Mike Schildt has elected to expand the rotation to six men temporarily. St. Louis will get a much-needed off day May 10, so Oviedo may only get one start before heading to Triple-A Memphis.

Carrasco (hamstring) tossed a six-inning simulated game at the Mets' spring facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on Tuesday, Michael Mayer of MetsMerizedOnline.com reports.

According to Mayer, Carrasco sported a fastball that peaked at 96 miles per hour and showcased good late life on his secondary offerings. Tuesday's outing was expected to be Carrasco's final rehab appearance, so assuming the Mets have similarly favorable reviews for the right-hander, he could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Sunday. However, since staff ace Jacob deGrom is tentatively scheduled to start that day's game against the Diamondbacks, the Mets are more likely to wait until next week to integrate Carrasco into the rotation.

Rutledge will begin the season at High-A Wilmington, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

This is a shockingly conservative assignment for the 2019 first-round pick, but the Nats appear to be taking a far more cautious approach with their top pitching prospects than other organizations after a lost minor-league season. Rutledge will join Cade Cavalli in the Wilmington rotation, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see both get a quick promotion to Double-A if they overmatch opposing hitters. Starting the year three levels from the majors likely rules out both right-handers from making their big-league debuts in 2021, however.

Cavalli will begin the season at High-A Wilmington, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

This is a shockingly conservative assignment for the 2020 first-round pick, but the Nats appear to be taking a far more cautious approach with their top pitching prospects than other organizations after a lost minor-league season. Cavalli will join Jackson Rutledge in the Wilmington rotation, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see both get a quick promotion to Double-A if they overmatch opposing hitters. Starting the year three levels from the majors likely rules out both right-handers from making their big-league debuts in 2021, however.

Gray will open the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Brook Smith of DodgersNation.com reports that manager Dave Roberts eschewed the idea of Gray getting the call to replace Dustin May (Tommy John surgery). A team with the Dodgers' talent and expectations isn't going to alter the developmental plan for one of its top prospects based on a need at the big-league level. Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) and David Price (hamstring) are just as likely to get healthy in time to take the fifth starter's spot as Gray is to impress enough in the short term at Triple-A.

Wainwright (1-3) picked up the win in Monday's 6-5 victory over the Mets, coughing up five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

All the scoring in the game came in the first three innings and Wainwright appeared to be on the ropes after Kevin Pillar took him deep in the third, but the veteran right-hander righted the ship after the Cards gave him a lead in the bottom half of the frame. Wainwright tossed 66 of 93 pitches for strikes, and he'll take a 4.72 ERA and 37:9 K:BB through 34.1 innings into his next outing.

Lucchesi (0-2) took the loss Monday, surrendering six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings as the Mets fell 6-5 to the Cardinals. He struck out two.

Five of the seven hits off the southpaw went for extra bases, including long balls by Harrison Bader and Nolan Arenado. Lucchesi did nothing to demonstrate he deserves a longer look in the rotation, and on the season he carries an ugly 10.13 ERA and 13:3 K:BB through 10.2 innings.