MLB Player News

Keller gave up four runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings Monday, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out three, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He's fortunate that his rotation spot is likely secure because he's struggled all spring long. "I think today was a step in the right direction," manager Derek Shelton said. "He gave up some hits but the command was better. It's the best offspeed stuff we've seen all spring out of him." AT&T SportsNet analyst John Wehner wondered aloud whether Keller is tipping his pitches. Whatever the issue, fantasy owners have to hope the 24-year-old pitches like he did at the end of 2020, when he registered 11 hitless innings to conclude his campaign.

Manager David Ross announced Monday that Hendricks will start the Cubs' April 1 season opener versus the Pirates, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

He'll get the ball for the second Opening Day in a row, hoping to deliver another gem of a performance after he struck out nine in a complete-game shutout of the Brewers in the Cubs' 2020 season opener. Though Hendricks achieved his highest game score of last season in that outing against Milwaukee, he was in stellar form most every time he toed the rubber. He finished the abbreviated 60-game campaign with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 64:8 K:BB in 81.1 innings across his 12 starts, once again overcoming his lack of a power arsenal with elite command and control. With Yu Darvish getting dealt to San Diego over the offseason, Hendricks is now the unquestioned staff ace for Chicago.

Lugo (elbow) has yet to resume throwing but is responding well to treatment, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Lugo isn't behind schedule, as it's been five weeks from the date of his elbow surgery, which was expected to keep him shut down for six weeks. While he seems to be making acceptable progress, he'll have to spend a few weeks building back up once he's cleared to throw, so he'll likely miss a fair portion of April at minimum.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Strasburg (calf) will start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg was diagnosed with a minor calf strain after exiting his last Grapefruit League start March 14, but he was mostly able to stay on schedule with his build-up program. Rather than making a start in a spring game in his last turn through the rotation, Strasburg instead threw a five-inning simulated game last Friday and apparently came out of it without any setbacks. Now that he's back on the pitching schedule this week, Strasburg looks like he'll remain on track to break camp with the big club rather than requiring a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Marquez allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings during Monday's spring win over the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Marquez had a strong spring debut this year but has given up at least three runs in each of his last three outings. The right-hander has had issues with command during his Cactus League starts but still projects as the team's Opening Day starter in 2021. "This spring training is kind of weird with my delivery, so I'm trying to find that point," Marquez told Thomas Harding of MLB.com. "I think I'm getting closer." Marquez should have one more spring tune-up prior to the regular season.

Wood (back) threw a bullpen session Monday and will progress to live batting practice later in the week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wood was reportedly sitting between 88-91 mph with his fastball in the session, roughly in line with his velocity the last few seasons. He underwent a minor back procedure on March 16, though the Giants are still hopeful that he will be ready to begin the season. Wood is currently in competition with Logan Webb for the final rotation spot, even if he proves healthy.

Eflin (back) is expected to be ready to pitch the third game of the season April 4 against Atlanta, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Eflin was scratched from his scheduled Friday start due to a back issue, but he hasn't been significantly set back. He threw a bullpen session Sunday and is scheduled for a simulated game Wednesday and a Grapefruit League outing Monday. He's expected to be 10-15 pitches behind where the Phillies want him to be for the start of the regular season but should still be able to last at least four or five innings in his first turn in the rotation.

Nola will start on Opening Day against Atlanta on April 1, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The announcement comes as no surprise, as Nola has been the Phillies' ace for several years now. He's coming off a year in which he posted his second-best ERA (3.28), second-best WHIP (1.08) and best strikeout rate (33.2 percent). The Opening Day start will be his fourth in a row, and he'll become the first Phillies pitcher to record a streak that long since Steve Carlton made 10 consecutive Opening Day starts from 1977 to 1986.

Gallen was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against Oakland with right lateral forearm soreness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Forearm issues are among the more worrisome problems for a pitcher, as they can sometimes be the first sign of a serious injury which requires major surgery. Whether or not that's the case with this particular problem remains to be seen, but even a very minor setback at this stage of spring would likely see Gallen open the year on the injured list. Per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Gallen felt the issue while swinging a bat rather than throwing, which is potentially cause for optimism, but there's a limit to how optimistic one should be when it comes to pitchers and arm troubles.

Senzatela (0-1) allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Royals.

Senzatela made his first Cactus League appearance since sustaining a hamstring strain in early March, and he looked healthy despite allowing eight baserunners. The right-hander fielded several bunts during the outing and wasn't bothered by his hamstring, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. Senzatela should be healthy enough to begin the regular season in Colorado's rotation.