MLB Player News

Flaherty received praise for his work during the Cardinals' first summer camp workout at Busch Stadium on Friday, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The staff ace and projected Opening Day starter wasted no time getting back into the thick of things, facing several of his teammates in live batting practice. Pitching coach Mike Maddux described Flaherty as being in midseason form to manager Mike Shildt, certainly an encouraging sign given the right-hander's importance to the team's fortunes.

Gomber, who posted an impressive 2.25 ERA over eight spring frames, worked the equivalent of three innings while facing hitters during the Cardinals' first summer camp workout Friday, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gomber's ability to fill a variety of roles for manager Mike Shildt seemingly gives the 26-year-old southpaw a solid chance of making the expanded 30-man Opening Day roster. Gomber earned the boss's praise for his work Friday, giving the young hurler a solid start to the ramp-up period for the regular season.

Kershaw hopes to build up to "near 100 pitches" by the start of the season, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw indicated that he has already tossed simulated games of three and four innings and plans to hit the five-inning mark Monday. That could make his 100-pitch goal realistic, though an earlier report by MLB Network's Jon Morosi suggested that Dodgers pitchers are unlikely to throw beyond four innings in their first turn through the rotation. Observers shouldn't have to wait long to see if Kershaw's plan wins out as the southpaw is expected to be the team's Opening Day pitcher for the ninth time in his career.

Martinez was unable to participate in Friday's opening day of summer camp because of a pending COVID-19 test, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The veteran right-hander was one of four players -- Genesis Cabrera, Ivan Herrera and Elehuris Montero being the other three -- that had been in the Dominican Republic during the shutdown and was awaiting the results of his test. Martinez and the rest of the group were tested Thursday morning, approximately a day later than originally planned because of a flight delay. Assuming a clean bill of health, Martinez may have his test results back in time to participate in Saturday's workout. If that happens, he'll begin his quest to tighten his grip on a rotation spot.

Mikolas, who has been deemed fully recovered from a flexor tendon strain in his right forearm, was able to work up to approximately 40 pitches in a Friday bullpen session at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. "It was pretty sore [in March] and I was just getting started on the rehab program," Mikolas said. "Now, full-go bullpens. Looking forward to my first live BP coming up, and ready to go."

Much like teammate Paul Goldschmidt, the veteran right-hander was able to utilize the nearly four months off from official baseball activities and games to overcome an injury that was projected to have him miss the originally scheduled Opening Day. Mikolas' activity level Friday seems to corroborate that his arm is back to full health, and he'll take another step toward his regular-season readiness when he faces teammates in live batting practice over the coming days.

Kelly faced batters Friday for what amounted to three innings of work, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Kelly threw a total of 50 pitches and looked "very crisp," according to manager Torey Lovullo. The right-hander is the presumed front-runner to claim the No. 5 starting job, a spot that was slated for Mike Leake before the veteran opted out for the 2020 season.

Stroman wasn't participating in the Mets' workouts Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The team didn't provide any specifics as to why Stroman and teammate Amed Rosario didn't work out with the team Friday, and it's unclear whether they were at the facility. It's unclear when Stroman is expected to take the field.

Suarez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies didn't initially specify why Suarez and three of his teammates were placed on the injured list, but it's since been revealed that all four are on the COVID-19 injured list rather than the normal 10-day injured list. That doesn't necessarily mean that any of them actually have the virus, as players can land on that list simply due to having had contact with someone who tested positive. It's not clear when Suarez is expected to return to the field, but even a minor delay may take him out of the running for an Opening Day rotation spot, something which seemed like a long shot to begin with.

Hamels (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Hamels had been dealing with a shoulder issue that dates back to an offseason workout. He indicated that he would have been on schedule to pitch by late May but stretched out his rehab schedule due to the delayed season. Friday's bullpen session was his third as he works his way back into game shape. He's expected to be used cautiously in his first few starts of the year, but he is expected to be on the Opening Day roster.

Rea is a candidate to break camp as the Cubs' fifth starter after Jose Quintana underwent thumb surgery Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Quintana's status for the start of the season in serious doubt, Alec Mills is the early frontrunner to step in as the team's fifth starter, though president of baseball operations Theo Epstein also mentioned Rea and Adbert Alzolay as potential options. Rea, who hasn't appeared in the majors since 2016, compiled a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 120 strikeouts across 148 innings (26 starts) with Triple-A Iowa in 2019.