MLB Player News

Freeland (illness) will start Wednesday in the Rockies' Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland was scratched ahead of his previous scheduled start Friday against the Rangers after falling ill, but the ailment didn't keep him idle for long. The lefty completed a simulated game over the weekend without incident and will get the green light to take back his normal spot in the Cactus League rotation. He should be ready to handle a starter's workload when the season begins and could get the nod for the Rockies' Opening Day game March 28 versus the Marlins.

Martinez (shoulder) will initiate a throwing program Thursday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

With the platelet-rich plasma injection Martinez recently received for his shoulder having the desired effect, the 27-year-old should begin playing catch off flat ground before progressing to mound work toward the end of spring training. Once he's regained strength in his throwing shoulder, the Cardinals will then decide whether Martinez will build up for a starting role or prepare for a bullpen assignment. If the Cardinals opt to go the latter route, it would shorten Martinez's time on the injured list, as Mark Saxon of The Athletic relayed Tuesday that the right-hander likely wouldn't be ready to join the rotation until around May or June. The potential move to relief would limit Martinez's fantasy upside, however, especially if he's used in a setup capacity rather than as a closer.

Greinke pitched 4.2 scoreless innings before rain cut short his outing against the Rangers on Tuesday, Richard Morin of the Arizona Republic reports. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six.

Greinke looked in top form, retiring the first 13 batters faced before giving up a walk and a hit to lead off the fifth inning. That's when the weather intervened. "Great outing for Zack," manager Torey Lovullo said. "The fastball command, the velocity was exactly where he wants it. It looked like midseason form, for me." The right-hander was unable to hit his pitch count, so he tossed another dozen pitches in the bullpen before calling it a night. He'll get two more starts before the regular season kicks off.

Mahle threw three shutout innings against the Cubs on Tuesday night in a split-squad win, striking out five while allowing two hits and no walks. He's a candidate to pitch in place of Alex Wood to begin the season if Wood's back injury puts him on the IL, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mahle now has pitched six shutout innings to begin spring training, striking out 11 while walking two and allowing five hits. Reds manager David Bell stopped short of endorsing Mahle for Wood's spot. "I think Tyler is part of that discussion, for sure. It has not been determined, and Alex's readiness for the season hasn't been determined, but we do need to start planning for multiple scenarios," Bell said. "Tyler is right there anyway. He's doing everything he can. He's going to be an option certainly for helping us, whether it's the beginning of the season or shortly thereafter. He's definitely part of that picture."

DeSclafani continued to focus on throwing more curveballs in his most recent outing against the Indians on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I thought I threw some really good curveballs, but I want to get it a little more action as far as swings and misses and stuff like that," DeSclafani said. "I think that's just going to come with time. I just have to keep throwing it."

DeSclafani is searching for an out pitch to throw against left-handers, as his fastball got crushed by them last season, and lefties were his nemesis all season long. To that end, the home run he gave up Monday night came on a 3-1 fastball.

Strasburg allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings while striking out six during Tuesday's spring game against Houston.

Strasburg entered Tuesday's game with only one walk over his first two spring starts, but had some command issues versus the Astros. Overall the 30-year-old has looked great in spring training as he has 13 strikeouts over 10.2 innings and has allowed only two runs on seven hits.

Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday that Lyles (side) has the "inside track" for the team's fifth starter's spot, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Huntington made the statement prior to the right-hander's Tuesday start. Lyles, who has allowed six runs in 10 innings, felt some tightness due to cramping in his right side and decided not to return for his scheduled third inning. Lyles compiled a 4.11 ERA in 87.2 innings last year and could see plenty of opportunity with Pittsburgh, provided he can stay healthy.

Taillon made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on five hits (all doubles) and no walks in four innings. He struck out three batters.

The righty has thrown three simulated games at Pirate City, refining a changeup for a possible fifth pitch. Taillon threw his changeup with only 4.6 percent of his pitches in 2018. "If it's one more pitch I can put in someone's head, that's extremely important," he said. "Might get some quick outs with it and be able to go deeper into games." He'll make two more spring starts before pitching Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 28.

Wood (back) doesn't yet have a scheduled date for him to throw from a mound again, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's going to get there," manager David Bell said of Wood. "I know it's not fast enough for him. I think he's getting some relief from the pain he was in, so that's a good sign."

Given that this was the second time this spring that the back has acted up, there's a reasonable assumption that Wood won't be ready for Opening Day. Making matters worse, Wood's velocity was declining last year with the Dodgers, and now he'll ply his wares in a tougher ballpark.

Despaigne was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Despaigne had a 6.69 ERA in 39 major-league innings last season with the Marlins and Angels, so he was always going to have a tough time capitalizing on his non-roster invitation. He'll fill an organizational depth role for the Reds this season.