MLB Player News

Taillon scattered four hits in five scoreless innings Sunday, allowing one unearned run. He struck out six without issuing a walk.

He's expected to pitch one more time before serving as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter March 28 in Cincinnati. The 27-year-old is looking to post back-to-back healthy seasons for the first time; he registered a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 191 innings (32 starts) last season. He also gave up three earned runs or fewer in each of his final 22 starts.

Strasburg will start the second game of the season March 30 against the Mets, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

As expected, the right-hander will follow Max Scherzer in the rotation, with Patrick Corbin getting the ball third. Strasburg has been sharp through four Cactus League starts, compiling a 2.87 ERA and 19 strikeouts through 15.2 innings.

Houser was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday.

This isn't all too surprising after Houser was granted a fourth minor-league option earlier in the offseason. The right-hander put together a solid spring, compiling a 2.16 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 8.1 innings, but will head to the minors to open the season. Houser is expected to stretch out to start for Triple-A San Antonio.

Alcantara gave up six runs on nine hits and a walk over 3.1 innings but also struck out seven in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The hard-throwing right-hander had walked 10 batters in 12 innings coming into Saturday, so his improved control was encouraging, but catching too much of the strike zone brought its own issues. Alcantara may be better suited for the bullpen in the long run, but for now the Marlins will continue developing him as a starter, whether at the back of the big-league rotation or at Triple-A New Orleans.

Wright allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over four innings while striking out five in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Facing a lineup that featured every big name on the Boston roster expect Andrew Benintendi, Wright gave up a couple of first-inning runs on a J.D. Martinez sac fly and a Xander Bogaerts RBI double, but the young right-hander showed good poise by shaking it off and fanning five batters over his final three frames. He now boasts an amazing 16:2 K:BB through 12 spring innings, and based purely on performance, Wright has earned a spot in the Braves' rotation.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw a 38-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw mixed in all of his pitches and reported no issues afterward. Assuming the southpaw checks out OK on Monday, he should be cleared to face live hitters shortly thereafter. Although Kershaw is making encouraging progress, the veteran hurler still isn't scheduled for any game action, all but confirming he won't be ready for the start of the season.

Senzatela (foot) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as manager Bud Black stated over the weekend that Senzatela would be out of action for "a while" due to an infected blister on his right heel. It's unclear when the right-hander will be ready to return at this point. In the meantime, Chad Bettis appears to be the likeliest candidate to temporary fill in as the Rockies' fifth starter.

Kershaw (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

If everything goes as planned during Sunday's session, Kershaw will be cleared to face live hitters for the first time this spring. While the southpaw is trending in the right direction, he still isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Lyles (side) is scheduled to throw a four-inning simulated game Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Lyles was removed from his previous Grapefruit League appearance because of a side cramp, but the issue hasn't significantly affected his schedule. Rather than pitch in a spring game Monday, Lyles will fire four simulated innings on a back field. Assuming everything goes off without a hitch, the right-hander could rejoin the rotation later in the week. Lyles has a good chance to open the season as Pittsburgh's fifth starter if he proves healthy.

DeGrom was scratched from his scheduled spring start Sunday due to an illness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom was originally scheduled to pitch in a "B" game Sunday before falling under the weather. The ailment doesn't appear to be anything overly serious, as the righty is expected to take the mound in a minor-league game Monday. DeGrom is still lined up to start Opening Day against the Nationals on regular rest.