MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed Sunday that Strasburg would receive the Opening Day start April 3 against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Strasburg was always viewed as the favorite for the Opening Day nod after Max Scherzer was slow to ramp up his workload in the spring due to a stress fracture in his finger, so Baker's announcement was merely a formality. After inking a seven-year, $175 million extension with the Nationals last May, the Nationals are hoping for Strasburg to take a leap forward in 2017 after he compiled a 3.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 183:44 K:BB ratio over 147.2 innings last season.

Nicolino could be in the running for the open fifth starter spot with the Marlins after throwing five scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Saturday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

The lefty threw 71 pitches and scattered three hits and a walk while striking out three. After a rough start to the spring, Nicolino has his ERA down to 3.86, although his 6:3 K:BB through 16.1 innings is a reminder of his extremely low strikeout potential. Adam Conley remains the favorite to win the fifth starter job, while Jose Urena is also still in the mix.

Anderson owns a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB in 14.1 innings over five appearances this spring.

Anderson posted a 3.02 ERA in 14 outings after the All-Star break last season and has not experienced much trouble this spring, but he is still not a lock to open the regular season in the Brewers' rotation. Expect a final call on his role to be made soon as the Brewers line up their rotation for Opening Day.

Cabrera (elbow) is still at least a few days away from finding out when he'll be able to throw again, and a DL stint to begin the season appears likely, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old said Saturday the discomfort in his elbow has subsided over the last few days, but the Braves have no reason to rush Cabrera back into action. His status for the regular season should become clearer once the team determines when he's able to resume throwing.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny downplayed the back injury Lynn suffered during Saturday's Grapefruit League appearance, saying that he expects the right-hander to pitch Thursday in his final start of the spring, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

Lynn threw just one inning Saturday after experiencing upper-back stiffness, which had resulted in a downturn in his velocity. His removal was deemed precautionary, however, and after meeting with a chiropractor after the outing, it doesn't sound like Lynn is at much risk of missing the start of the season. Matheny indicated that Lynn is expected to approach 80 pitches in his start Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll likely face no restrictions when he takes the hill for his first MLB start since 2015 in the first week of April.

The Reds could use Lorenzen occasionally as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner in addition to his relief pitcher duties, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lorenzen has struggled on the mound this spring. In 9.1 innings he has a 6.75 ERA with 14 hits allowed, five walks and just three strikeouts. Drew Storen's velocity is down this spring and Raisel Iglesias is hurt, though perhaps not enough to make him unavailable to begin the season. Lorenzen is expected to be part of the Reds' closer mix, but his current form isn't that encouraging.

Matz has been scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start Monday with elbow discomfort, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson insisted that Matz isn't dealing with a ligament issue and wouldn't require an MRI, but did note that it was "worrisome" that the left-hander continues to experience recurring injury setbacks. The team hopes that by backing off Matz for a few days, he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season. Even so, Matz still carries plenty of risk as a draft-day investment, given that he previously had a bone spur removed from his elbow last fall. Seth Lugo would presumably be first in line to start if Matz or any of the Mets' other projected rotation members is forced to miss time this season.

Glasnow struck out nine batters in four innings Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk. "Towards the fourth inning was the best I've felt," Glasnow told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "My curveball started to take shape and the changeup and fastball were coming along. Good signs."

He showed a glimpse of the velocity that helped to make him a top prospect in the minors, touching 97 mph in the first inning. While Glasnow lacked efficiency (he needed 82 pitches to complete four innings), he carried himself with confidence against a watered-down Detroit lineup. The Bucs haven't decided upon a fifth starter, but general manager Neal Huntington could offer insight during his radio show Sunday.

Corbin will begin the season in the Arizona rotation with Archie Bradley moving to the bullpen, ArizonaSports.com reports.

Corbin and Shelby Miller won the final two spots in the rotation. Corbin has a 3.44 ERA this spring with an encouraging 17:3 K:BB in 18.1 innings.

Paddack (elbow) will likely miss the entire 2017 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Bill Center of the Padres' official site reports.

Paddack is still considered a prospect despite the elbow injury and will be only 22 when the 2018 season opens. He currently throws a low-90s fastball along with a wipeout change. Improving his curve will help him develop into a mid-rotation starter. If that doesn't work for him, some scouts believe he can morph into closer given his fastball/changeup combination.