MLB Player News

Soroka (Achilles) has been taking part in fielding drills in camp without any issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "I think he's right on time with everything [the trainers] are putting him through and where they think he should be," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Saturday. "I know they've put him through a lot of drills on the mound with comebackers and [fielding] bunts. There hasn't been any setbacks, and he is checking all their boxes."

The right-hander's availability for Opening Day remains in question, but so far Soroka has passed every test as he completes his recovery from last year's torn Achilles tendon. Expect the team to be cautious with the 23-year-old no matter how he looks throughout camp, however. Soroka's forte is generating weak contact, not striking hitters out, so Atlanta won't want to take any risks when it comes to re-injuring himself while fielding his position.

Mejia (visa issues) arrived at camp and participated in Saturday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Mejia made his MLB debut last season for Miami despite never appearing above High-A while in the Marlins organization. He's expected to to pitch in the minors for the Diamondbacks, who acquired him as part of a package from Miami in the Starling Marte deal.

Brubaker is expected to battle for the team's fifth rotation spot, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He made nine starts and two relief appearances in his major-league debut last summer, compiling a 4.94 ERA (4.14 xFIP) and 1.37 WHIP in 47.1 innings. Brubaker features an effective slider, but the shape of his curveball is often too similar. The organization's 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year missed nearly all of 2019 with a strained forearm, but he's healthy for the second straight year. The 27-year-old likely has an inside shot at the final rotation spot due to glimpses of effectiveness in 2020, but he will be challenged by the likes of Cody Ponce and Wil Crowe.

Martinez did a good job keeping several Cardinals starters off balance with his breaking pitches during Friday's live batting practice session, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The veteran right-hander is gunning to fill the one projected vacancy in the Cardinals' starting rotation, and he certainly made an impression Friday by flummoxing the trio of Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and Yadier Molina. Martinez will soon have a chance to make his case for a starting role in Grapefruit League games as well, but even if he is passed over for a rotation spot to start the season, he could well prove to be an important relief asset after performing well in that capacity in 2018 and 2019.

Wright will start Atlanta's Grapefruit League opener Sunday against the Rays, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander is in the mix for a potential vacancy in the team's rotation to begin the season if Mike Soroka (Achilles) isn't quite ready to go for Opening Day. Wright struggled to a 5.21 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 30:24 K:BB through 38 innings last year, but the 25-year-old did close out the 2020 regular season with three straight quality starts and may be ready to take the next step forward in his development.

Gallen will start Arizona's spring opener against the Rockies on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

This is the first hint at how manager Torey Lovullo plans to sequence the rotation, although there has been no official word about the rotation order for the regular season. Gallen and Madison Bumgarner were speculated to be in the hunt for the No. 1 job, while Caleb Smith could also slot in at the top end of the order.

Carrasco (undisclosed) arrived at camp Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Carrasco missed the early part of camp for undisclosed reasons, with the Mets noting only that his absence wasn't injury-related. Whatever the reason, it's unlikely to significantly affect his readiness for Opening Day, as he still has over a month to prepare.

Alcantara will start Monday's spring game against the Mets, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old will start the second game of spring training for the Marlins and should also be in the mix to start Opening Day. Alcantara pitched well in 2020 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB across 42 innings (seven starts).

Hendricks will start the Cubs' Cactus League opener against the Padres Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

More importantly, this puts Hendricks in line to start the team's regular season opener against the Pirates on April 1. With Yu Darvish now in San Diego, Hendricks is unquestionably the ace in Chicago. He posted a stellar 2.88 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 12 starts during the shortened 2020 season.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Thursday that Gore is pitching well early in spring training, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Gore reportedly had some delivery issues during summer camp ahead of the 2020 season, but Rothschild said that those concerns have been "worked out and plus" early this spring. The southpaw spent the entire 2020 campaign at the team's alternate training site and has made just five starts at the Double-A level. The Padres said last September that they want to use him as a starter once he reaches the majors. Although the team traded for Yu Darvish and Blake Snell during the offseason, Gore could contend for a spot in the big leagues at some point in 2021.