MLB Player News

Burnes tossed 3.2 scoreless innings in his final appearance of the exhibition season Tuesday against the Blue Jays. He allowed just two hits and posted a 5:0 K:BB in the game.

Burnes' 5.06 ERA this spring was inflated by two outings in which he gave up a total of seven earned runs over 5.1 innings, but he was impressive otherwise, giving up just five earned runs over 16 innings (2.81 ERA) in his other five outings and posting a stellar 26:4 K:BB over his 21.1 total innings. It was announced last week that Burnes would break camp with a spot in the Brewers' rotation, and as was the case during the exhibition season, he could be prone to some inconsistency in his first year as a starter at the big-league level. However, Burnes' strikeout rate this spring bodes well for his fantasy prospects, and there are other reasons for optimism, as he was a consensus top-100 prospect before exhausting his eligibility and more than held his own while playing a key role out of the bullpen down the stretch and into the postseason a year ago.

Velasquez won't start a game until April 8, Matt Gelb of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

The Phillies have three off days in the first eight days of the season, so they won't need to call on their fifth starter until the ninth game of the year. Velasquez is firmly behind Zach Eflin at this point and is the pitcher who could be most at risk of losing his spot should Jerad Eickhoff or a minor leaguer prove ready to go. He's always had a fair amount of relief risk, and this could finally be the season where he heads to the bullpen. At the very least, he'll be available out of the 'pen for the first few games of the year.

Gray gave up three runs on five hits over three innings against the Twins on Tuesday, striking out two and walking two as the Rockies tied Minnesota 5-5 in their final exhibition game.

The right-hander served up long balls to C.J. Cron and Nelson Cruz, giving him an ugly final line in his final tuneup appearance of the spring. Gray had been cruising in Cactus League play, with a 2.55 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and an excellent 22:1 K:BB entering Tuesday's contest, so it was a successful spring for him outside of this outing. He'll be the fourth starter in Colorado's rotation to start the regular season.

Lyles will travel with the Pirates to Cincinnati before a decision is made regarding his status for the start of the season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Lyles missed time earlier in camp due to a side issue. While the right-hander appears to be fully healthy, the Pirates apparently want him to build his pitch count up to 90 before he makes his regular-season debut, per Wilborn. The Pirates could proceed with a four-man rotation until April 7. Once built up, Lyles will assume his role as the team's fifth starter.

Hendricks signed a four-year extension with the Cubs on Tuesday that includes a vesting option for a fifth season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hendricks will make a guaranteed $63 million from 2019 to 2023, including his previously negotiated salary for this season, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. He hasn't had trouble navigating Wrigley Field thus far in his five-year major-league career, as his home ERA of 2.74 easily outpaces his road mark of 3.41.

Wheeler allowed five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over three innings while striking out two in Monday's exhibition game against the Orioles.

The unheralded Dwight Smith took him deep twice, while Chris Davis accounted for the third homer. Wheeler's spring ends with a thud, but his 4.80 ERA and mediocre 10:4 K:BB through 15 innings will get wiped clean Opening Day. The right-hander will start the third game of the season for the Mets, March 31 on the road against the Nationals.

Parsons will be on the Braves' Opening Day roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Parsons could hardly have had a better spring. He didn't allow a single home run in 15 innings of work, striking out 17 batters while walking just one. The 26-year-old has just five big-league innings under his belt but could stick with the team this year if the improved performance he showed this spring is here to stay.

DeGrom and the Mets agreed Tuesday on a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

DeGrom becomes the latest top-flight ace to secure an extension within the past week, joining Boston's Chris Sale (five years, $145 million) and Houston's Justin Verlander (two years, $66 million). According to Passan, deGrom's contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2022 season and a $32.5 million club option for 2024, potentially keeping him under club control for up to six more years. DeGrom will look to build on his Cy Young-winning campaign from a season ago when he takes the hill for the Mets' Opening Day game Thursday in Washington.

Paddack has been named the starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Skipper Andy Green confirmed after Monday's exhibition that Paddack would indeed make his big-league debut during opening weekend.

Paddack appears on track to make his big-league debut Sunday against the Giants, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Although the Padres have yet to confirm, Paddack is in line to begin the 2019 campaign with the big-league club. He's made an impressive comeback from Tommy John surgery and impressed his skipper during spring training, proving that he's ready for the next level. Paddack posted an impressive 2.13 ERA with 20 strikeouts and just two walks over 12.2 innings during camp.