MLB Player News

Manager Joe Girardi confirmed that Wheeler would start the Phillies' second game of the season Saturday against Atlanta, Pat Gallen of CBS 3 Philadelphia reports.

Wheeler made good on the first season of the five-year, $118 million deal he signed with the Phillies last winter, posting a 2.92 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 11 starts in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Those strong ratios were somewhat marred by a substantial dip in his strikeout rate (career-worst 6.7 K/9), but Wheeler at least provided some hope for a bounce back in that area this spring. He finished the Phillies' Grapefruit League slate with 22 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, and after topping out at five frames over his six spring starts, he should head into his 2021 season debut without any major restrictions to his pitch count.

Gomber allowed two hits and no walks while striking out four over three scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring win over the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gomber had allowed seven runs across his past two spring starts, but he ended on a high note during Tuesday's Cactus League finale. The southpaw lines up to make his regular-season debut with the Rockies as the starter against the Dodgers on Sunday. Gomber posted a 3.20 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 19.2 innings across six starts this spring.

Soroka (Achilles) threw two innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League finale and was happy with the results, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "It was kind of nice that I got into trouble a little bit," Soroka said. "I had to get out there and keep making pitches just like I would during the season. That's something you don't feel in sim games."

The right-hander did give up a solo homer to Boston prospect Jarren Duran, but Soroka struck out two batters in his first inning and then used his sinker to induce a game-ending double play from Jeter Downs in his second frame. It was Soroka's first game action since tearing his Achilles tendon last August, and while he will still need some time at Atlanta's alternate training site to continue his recovery, the team hasn't ruled out him rejoining the rotation before the end of April.

May hurled 5.1 innings in an exhibition contest versus the Angels on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four.

A day after he was named the Dodgers' fifth starter for the regular season, May made the decision look like a wise one with a solid outing that brought his spring ERA down to 2.37. The 23-year-old's first start of the campaign is slated for April 5 at Oakland.

Urias hurled 5.2 innings against the Angels on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks while striking out three.

In his final tune-up before the regular season, Urias threw 68 pitches -- 47 for strikes -- and yielded only one run, which came on a homer by Phil Gosselin. The southpaw was outstanding in spring play, posting a 1.69 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 16 innings. He'll next toe the mound in the Dodgers' fourth game of the season, slated for Sunday at Colorado.

Wainwright allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday. He struck out one.

In his final tune-up before a scheduled turn in the second game of the regular season Saturday against the Reds, Wainwright worked up to 47 pitches. He threw 31 for strikes but also got tagged for a pair of doubles in what was his most hittable outing of a very strong spring overall. Even factoring in Monday's uneven performance, the 39-year-old wrapped up Grapefruit League play with a 2.42 ERA, .156 BAA and 0.72 WHIP across 22.1 innings covering six starts.

Martinez fired three scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday, allowing no hits and one walk while recording two strikeouts.

The right-hander, who'll open the season in the starting rotation, will head into the season with some serious momentum after firing the equivalent of a complete-game shutout over his last pair of spring outings. Martinez's Grapefruit League performances ran the gamut from stellar to dreadful, as he gave up a combined 13 earned runs in three trips to the mound while posting scoreless efforts in three others.

Brubaker limited the Twins to one earned run on one hit and two walks in five innings Tuesday. He recorded four strikeouts.

He ended the spring on a high note and will enter the regular season as part of the team's starting rotation. Brubaker's thrown 72 and 74 pitches, respectively, in his last two outings, reaching five innings in both starts. The righty will look to better limit the long ball after serving up four homers in just 15 spring innings.

Wood (back) will open the season on the injured list and miss the first couple weeks of the season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wood has missed most of March while recovering from a minor back procedure. He's working his way through a throwing progression but won't be ready for game action until at least mid-April. Aaron Sanchez lines up as the fifth starter in his absence.

The Padres don't plan to include Gore on their Opening Day roster, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Since Dinelson Lamet (elbow) is slated to begin the season on the injured list, Gore was given the chance to compete for the vacant fifth starter's role in spring training, but he never built much momentum in the job battle. He struggled to locate his pitches over his five Cactus League outings, working 11 innings and giving up seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits and eight walks. Adrian Morejon and Ryan Weathers clearly outperformed Gore in the competition for the rotation spot and thus will be first in line to fill in for Lamet. Gore could still be a candidate for a first-half promotion if he can show improved command at the Padres' alternate site and during the early portion of the minor-league season.