MLB Player News

Liberatore is highly unlikely to start the season at the major-league level despite an impressive spring, even considering the Cardinals' multiple starting pitcher injuries, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "Don't think they're [Liberatore and Ryan Thompson] candidates to start," Shildt admitted pregame, "but just in the process of building those guys up to start the season."

A leap from the Low-A level, where Liberatore toiled in 2019 while still with the Rays organization, to the majors would be quite the feat, especially after a missed year of in-game development in 2020. However, Liberatore is certainly planting the seed for a potentially rapid ascension through the ranks with his early spring efforts, which include a 27-pitch, two-inning perfect effort Saturday versus the Marlins. The 21-year-old southpaw has a 2.08 ERA across 4.2 Grapefruit League innings (three appearances), a caliber of performance that should earn him a ticket to Double-A Springfield, at minimum, to open the campaign.

Gray will be shut down from throwing for 3-to-4 days after he was diagnosed Sunday with mid-back spasms, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Gray described the back spasms as a recurring issue, so the Reds will let him take the next few days off with the hope that the respite will help resolve the matter. The right-hander said he expects that the shutdown period will put him behind the Reds' other starting pitchers about a week, which could result in beginning the season on the 10-day injured list. That said, Gray likely wouldn't miss more than one or two turns through the rotation, so fantasy managers shouldn't push him too far down their draft boards as a result of the injury.

Strasburg said his left calf "grabbed" a bit during Sunday's spring start against the Astros, but it's a minor concern and he should be considered day-to-day, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 32-year-old also said he would have pitched through the issue were it a meaningful game, which is an encouraging sign. Still, the Nationals figure to remain cautious in camp with Strasburg given his injury history, so he could receive a couple extra days to recover before making another Grapefruit League appearance.

Strasburg left Sunday's spring start against the Astros with an apparent leg injury, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 32-year-old showed some discomfort while landing on his delivery during the third inning, and he left the field with a trainer after testing the injury on the mound. Strasburg gave up one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over 2.1 scoreless frames before exiting the contest. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, but any camp injury is concerning, especially since he was limited to two starts last season due to carpal tunnel neuritis in his right hand.

Freeland allowed three hits and no walks while striking out four over four scoreless innings in Saturday's spring win over the Mariners. He didn't factor into the decision.

Freeland used only his fastball and changeup during his spring debut, but he added his slider to his pitch selection during Saturday's start, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. The southpaw struck out a batter in each of his four innings Saturday and allowed a runner to reach second base only once. Freeland will focus on his curveball during his next appearance as he continues to build up ahead of Opening Day.

Carrasco (elbow) threw from 75 feet Sunday and will throw from 90-to-120 feet Monday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

A short bullpen session could follow for the 33-year-old as he continues to work his way back from a bout of right elbow soreness. Carrasco hopes to be ready for Opening Day, and his progress this week should provide a strong indication of whether or not that hope can be a reality.

Sanchez is scheduled to throw two innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

That would leave the right-hander enough time to make three spring training starts before the end of camp, assuming he doesn't have any issues. "As long as they [the staff] stay on track, he'll be on a five-day program now," manager Don Mattingly said Saturday. Monday's game will actually be Sanchez's Grapefruit League debut as a Marlin, as he didn't pitch either of the last two springs after being acquired from the Phillies as the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade. That may not leave the 22-year-old enough time to get fully stretched out before Opening Day, and with the team expected to manage his workload this season, Sanchez could have his first turn or two in the rotation skipped or truncated.

Anderson struck out seven with only one walk over 3.1 innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

He did allow three runs on four hits, including a Hunter Renfroe solo homer after Anderson had fanned the first four batters he faced, but overall the right-hander was satisfied with the outing. "I felt like the ball was coming out good and my mechanics were good," Anderson said afterwards. "I was filling up the strike zone for the most part, so those are positives to take away. The goal was to go four innings. I had a couple long at-bats and a couple hits, so (the pitch count) can build up quick, and I hit my pitch limit. The biggest thing is getting those ups and downs, going and sitting down and getting back out there for the next inning. I was happy with the way it ended." The 22-year-old is looking to build on last year's dazzling big-league debut that saw him post a 1.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB over 32.1 innings, and workload rather than performance could be the biggest fantasy question mark for Anderson heading into 2021.

The Nationals optioned Adon to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Adon was one of three Nationals players optioned to the minors and one of 20 cut from big-league camp Sunday. Though Washington protected Adon from the Rule 5 draft by adding him to the 40-man roster in November, he's unlikely to be a factor for the big club in 2021.

Webb threw three scoreless innings with six strikeouts in Saturday's spring training win over Cleveland. He's thrown six scoreless innings this spring. "That's as good as I've ever seen his changeup look," manager Gabe Kapler told MLB.com. "I don't want to overdo it here, but he's been really impressive in this camp."

Webb is vying for the final spot in the starting rotation. While he's likely an underdog behind Alex Wood and Aaron Sanchez, there could be an opening early in the season as Wood is dealing with a stiff back and Sanchez is working his way back from shoulder surgery. Webb's strikeout percentage and walk rate took a step back last season in conjunction with an ugly 5.47 ERA, but he's showing positive signs this spring and is just 24.