MLB Player News

Wood (back) could throw a side session in the next couple of days, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "If everything goes well, maybe Monday or Tuesday," Bell said.

Given that Wood wasn't yet up to full capacity even before this latest setback, it's extremely likely he begins the season on the injured list. He'll need to throw the side session without any setbacks -- and maybe another -- and then graduate to live batting practice before finally working in live games.

Lorenzen played center field Saturday against the Rangers without pitching in the game, the first time this spring that he's done that, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The fact that the Reds feel comfortable using Lorenzen in center is yet another reason that Philip Ervin probably won't make the Opening Day roster, no matter how well he's hitting this spring. Lorenzen gives the Reds another outfielder without it costing them an extra roster spot.

Hendricks struck out two and gave up one run over 3.1 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He allowed five hits and two walks.

The seven baserunners is a bit concerning, but this was still a step in the right direction for Hendricks, who came into the start with a 6.14 ERA through his first three appearances of the spring. The 29-year-old righty has been consistently productive the last few seasons, so he should put up good results as soon as the regular season rolls around.

Nola's next start will come in a minor-league game, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nola was poor in his Grapefruit League start Saturday against the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in 2.2 innings. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him, though, as the plan is in place simply to help the team monitor his workload. Nola is expected to throw 90 pitches in his next start, putting him well-positioned to go as long as necessary on Opening Day. That would be a welcome contrast from Opening Day of last season, when Nola was pulled after 68 pitches and the bullpen subsequently blew the lead.

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.