MLB Player News

Suarez has yet to arrive at camp due to visa issues, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez is one of five Phillies absent for that reason, as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic interferes with international travel. If the delay lasts too long it would mean the lefty won't have time to ramp up as a starter, though he was always a long shot at best to open the season in a big-league rotation spot. Suarez will stand a decent chance at winning a bullpen role but isn't a lock to do so.

Cabrera isn't throwing to begin spring training due to an inflamed nerve in his right biceps, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 22-year-old is with the team to open camp but isn't participating in throwing activities. It's unclear when Cabrera is expected to return to the mound, though the Marlins figure to remain cautious with one of their top prospects.

Walker agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The deal also includes a player option for 2023, as Walker cashes in after delivering a 2.70 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 53.1 innings (11 starts) during 2020. The veteran right-hander should open the season as the Mets' No. 4 starter behind Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman, while Noah Syndergaard (elbow) is also expected to return around June.

Kim, who enters spring training slotted into the No. 2 spot in the Cardinals' starting rotation, focused on training his lower body this offseason in an effort to improve his command, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "[I learned] from last year that command is really important in this league," Kim said Wednesday. "... To better get the command [this offseason], I focused on my lower body, so that when I pitch, my upper body and lower body flows like water."

The left-hander was an immediate hit in his first season stateside following a successful career in the Korean Baseball Organization, posting a 3-0 record, 1.62 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 39 innings over eight appearances (seven starts). Kim also held either handedness of hitter to sub- .200 averages and posted an impressive 0.7 HR/9, but with a sub-par 5.5 K/9, he headed into the offseason looking to improve his ability to miss bats and believes more efficient lower-body mechanics will help him achieve that goal. Kim is also in a somewhat advantageous position as a second-year pitcher due to the uniqueness of the 2020 schedule, as he'll get the benefit of another season as a largely unknown quantity to a substantial allotment of hitters since he only faced other NL Central teams in his debut campaign.

Urias will throw a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Urias was praised by manager Dave Roberts for his physical conditioning upon arrival at spring training. While that's a common refrain for many players at this time of the season, it's still encouraging that Urias is on track physically. He's expected to be a key member of the Dodgers' rotation, though may have to compete with Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May for the role.

Kelly doesn't face any limitations to begin spring training, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Kelly made five starts for the Diamondbacks in 2020 and posted a 2.59 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 31.1 innings. However, he was shut down for the final month of the season after he underwent shoulder surgery. His $5.25 million club option was picked up by the Diamondbacks during the offseason, and the right-hander confirmed Thursday that he's fully healthy this spring. If he can continue to perform at a high level, Kelly could reclaim a spot in the starting rotation to begin the regular season.

Soroka is making good progress in his recovering from Achilles surgery but isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka was shut down with an Achilles tear after just three starts last season and underwent surgery in August. Atlanta is primarily concerned at the moment with his ability to cover first base and run out of the box as a hitter. While he hasn't had any setbacks, the team is likely more concerned with the 23-year-old's long-term future than it is with maximizing his number of starts this season. His expected return date should become clearer as camp progresses.

Martinez, who enjoyed a successful run in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, enters spring training focused on regaining a spot in the starting rotation, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "I feel great with all my pitches," said Martinez. "One hundred percent focused. On my mind, focused, on my workout, focused, on working hard. ... If I didn't play in the winter league, I wouldn't [be as prepared] right now."

The veteran right-hander was felled by COVID-19 during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, and as an asthmatic, he was clearly suffering residual effects once he returned. Martinez generated an unsightly 9.90 ERA and 2.10 WHIP -- both career-worst figures -- across 20 innings over five starts before landing on the injured list with an oblique strain in the final week of the season. However, Martinez made up for some lost time this winter, opting to play in the Dominican Republic for the first time since the 2014-15 offseason and posting a 1-0 record and 1.84 ERA in three starts while working on refining his pitch combinations. Battery mate Yadier Molina went 0-for-3 against Martinez while facing him in the Caribbean Series and noted the pitcher looked stronger and more poised on the mound. Despite the momentum he carries into spring camp, Martinez will still be challenged to carve out a rotation spot, considering there is only one vacancy at present and the promising Alex Reyes remains very much in the mix for it.

Clevinger (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The move was an expected one, as Clevinger will miss the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in November. He'll vacate a 40-man roster spot, allowing the Padres to officially add new signee Mark Melancon.

Strasburg (hand) is in "preparation mode, not rehabilitation mode" per general manager Mike Rizzo and will throw a bullpen session Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg made just two poor starts last season before being shut down with carpal neuritis and eventually undergoing surgery. The uncommon injury raises some doubts about his ability to return to form, especially considering that he hasn't exactly been a paragon of health throughout his 11-year career. The Nationals' confidence in him is undoubtedly a good sign, but he'll need to demonstrate that health on the mound this spring before that confidence can be shared by fantasy players.