MLB Player News

Marquez (illness) pitched in a minor-league game Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. He struck out 10 while covering six innings.

After his last Cactus League start March 9 against the Indians, Marquez experienced symptoms of the stomach bug that had been making its way around the clubhouse earlier in the month. Though Marquez was able to make his subsequent start on his normal four days' rest, the Rockies chose to ease him back into action in a more controlled setting versus lesser competition. He should re-enter the Cactus League pitching schedule during the upcoming week, with his next start likely coming Tuesday versus the Angels or Wednesday against the Royals.

The Padres shut Nix down Thursday after he experienced right arm soreness following his exhibition appearance Tuesday versus the Athletics, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nix, who started the Cactus League game and tossed one inning before the contest was cancelled due to rain, threw three more simulated frames in the batting cage. His arm was still bothering him two days later, prompting the Padres to shelve him temporarily and send him in for tests, which revealed no structural damage. The Padres are hopeful that Nix will only need a few days of rest before resuming his throwing program next week, but his shaky health could damage his chances of winning the final spot in the Opening Day rotation. Robbie Erlin and Bryan Mitchell along with prospects Chris Paddack, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill are among the other names competing for the final rotation opening.

Wainwright struck out five and allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a split-squad loss to the Astros on Friday.

So far, so good for Wainwright this spring, as he lowered his exhibition ERA to 2.51 across 14.1 innings with Friday's performance. The veteran right-hander has been experimenting with a splitter in an attempt to refresh his repertoire and keep hitters guessing during what will be his 14th major-league season. Wainwright's body of work this spring is certainly encouraging when considering he's coming back from an injury-shortened 2018 in which he posted a 2-4 record, 4.46 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across eight starts.

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Buehler will make his first Cactus League start Tuesday against the Indians, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports. Buehler will be limited to three innings or 45 pitches in the outing.

After taking a sizable leap forward in his innings count in 2018, Buehler's workload has been lightened this spring with the aim of keeping him fresh for the games that count in the standings. He thus remains a bit behind schedule compared to the Dodgers' other healthy starters, but Buehler will ramp things up Tuesday and should bump up his pitch count further while taking the hill in one of the Dodgers' final three spring games March 24 though 26. That would put him on pace to enter the regular season without any notable restrictions.

The Cubs reassigned Bergman to their minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Bergman had three appearances (two starts) with the Mariners in 2018, compiling a 5.79 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 innings. He didn't fare much better during a more extended stint in the Pacific Coast League (5.08 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 141.2 innings) and will be little more than organizational pitching depth in the high minors for the Cubs this season.

Lopez gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings of relief while striking out three in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

It's probably not a coincidence that Lopez was paired with Wei-Yin Chen (who worked the first four frames) in this one, as the two could be competing directly for a rotation spot to begin the season. Lopez has had the more successful spring by far, posting a 1.29 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through 14 innings, but Chen's hefty contract could tip the balance in his favor regardless of the results in camp.

Kelly allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings Friday against the Angels.

Kelly worked out of some first-inning trouble but got dinged by an Albert Pujols two-run homer in the third. The 30-year-old right-hander scuffled in his first two Cactus League starts but responded with a pair of encouraging outings since.

Urias won't be asked to pitch more than four innings in an appearance during spring training, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Urias figures to break camp as part of the Dodgers' bullpen, although by stretching him out to four innings in camp, manager Dave Roberts is confident Urias could also be called upon to start if needed. Roberts believes that Urias could also be used on back-to-back days out of the bullpen throughout the 2019 campaign.

Musgrove allowed two runs on four hits in four innings Friday. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The Pirates had previously limited Musgrove to simulated games this spring in an effort to work on his efficiency. The right-hander completed more than seven innings only once in 19 starts last season. He compiled a 3.41 ERA in his first 12 starts before struggling down the stretch with a 5.23 ERA in his final seven appearances. Musgrove, who was hampered by an abdominal injury in the second half of 2018, could outperform his ADP with a full season of health.

Woodruff allowed two hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings Friday against San Diego.

Woodruff has yet to allow a run this spring, and he's fanned 12 batters through nine innings (three starts). The 26-year-old figures to remain in a battle for a rotation spot with Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta, as all three players have performed well to this point.