MLB Player News

Castillo will start Opening Day against the Cardinals on April 1, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Castillo had a brief delay this spring due to visa issues, but he's had plenty of time to build up during Cactus League games. Manager David Bell confirmed Friday that Castillo will take the mound for the Reds during the first game of the season after posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 70 innings during 12 starts last season.

Strasburg (calf) threw 74 pitches across five simulated innings Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg was initially scheduled to throw 60 pitches Friday, but he was able to extend his throwing session and said that he would have felt comfortable throwing more. The right-hander has been dealing with a calf strain over the past week, but it appears as though he's on the right track for Opening Day as long as he doesn't experience any setbacks.

Wood (back) played catch Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wood underwent a minor procedure on his back Tuesday, but it apparently didn't throw his schedule off too much, as he's already throwing again. While that's certainly a positive sign, there's no guarantee he'll be ready to pitch by Opening Day and no guarantee he'll start the year in the rotation even if healthy.

Eflin (back) may be ready to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Eflin was scratched from his scheduled Friday start against the Yankees with back issues, but the team is hoping he can get back on the mound soon. Spencer Howard (back) and Vince Velasquez (oblique) are also dealing with injuries, so the Phillies are getting short on rotation options and would certainly like to have Eflin back as soon as possible. They won't want to rush their No. 3 starter, however, so it's possible non-roster invitee Ivan Nova could take a turn in the rotation if none of the preferred choices are ready to go.

Velasquez is dealing with an oblique injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear exactly what the issue or is when he'll be able to return. Velasquez had been looking like an underdog to open the year in the rotation, though Zach Eflin and Spencer Howard are both dealing with back issues, which could have given him at least a temporary opening. If all three pitchers need to miss time, non-roster invitee Ivan Nova could make a spot start or two to open the year.

Lauer was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 25-year-old gave up eight earned runs and had a 3:7 K:BB over five innings across three appearances in spring training, so it's hardly a surprise he didn't earn a rotation spot. Lauer figures to be in the mix for a promotion when the Brewers need a spot starter this season.

Soroka (Achilles) will throw a simulated game Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Soroka continues to build up carefully as he makes his way back from a torn Achilles tendon. His expected return date remains unclear, but given where he is in his recovery, a return in late April or early May seems likely.

Steele was optioned to Triple-A by the Cubs on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The 25-year-old was in the mix for a rotation spot but was never a likely bet to make the Opening Day roster since he's never pitched above Double-A. Steele spent last season at the alternate training site and had a 5.59 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB over 38.2 innings at Double-A in 2019.

Peterson is very likely to break camp in the rotation, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Peterson always seemed likely to open the year in the rotation, as he spent most of last season there and acquitted himself well, though his 19.5 percent strikeout rate and 11.7 percent walk rate didn't come close to backing up his 3.44 ERA. Carlos Carrasco's hamstring issue means there are now two spots available for some combination of Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto, and it would be a surprise if Peterson was the odd man out among that group. Lucchesi and Yamamoto combined to throw 17 major-league innings last year, giving up 28 earned runs.

Kelly allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out one over four innings in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Kelly's spring ERA ballooned to 9.00 after his third outing against a lineup that looked like Los Angeles' everyday batting order. Despite the poor Cactus League results, Kelly is in no danger of losing his spot in the rotation. If the rotation schedule holds as it is now, Kelly will take the ball for the second game of the season, April 2.