MLB Player News

Sampson was assigned to the Diamondbacks' minor league camp Monday, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

Sampson, who joined the Diamondbacks in spring training as a non-roster invitee, was competing for a bullpen gig, but wasn't able to make enough an impression to claim a roster spot. He'll be stretched out as a starter in the minors, likely serving as organizational depth at Triple-A Reno.

Hendricks said his goal this season is to toss at least 200 innings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hendricks threw a career-high 190 innings last season, finishing 16-8 with an MLB-best 2.13 ERA. He threw 180 innings in 2015, so he's hoping he can increase by 10 once again. "Two-hundred innings," Hendricks said. "Especially with the staff we've got, everybody holds each other pretty accountable for going deep into games. I definitely want to be on that bandwagon." The righty won't rack up as many strikeouts as other aces, but he should be very good in the wins, ERA and WHIP categories once again for fantasy owners.

Ryu does not project to be a part of the Dodgers' rotation to start the season, the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett reports.

It seems that Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood are in a better position to break camp in the rotation, in large part because Ryu has only logged five innings this spring training after groin and elbow issues delayed his Cactus League debut. Ryu gave up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in his last spring start against the Cubs, and he takes the mound Tuesday against the Brewers for his third Cactus League start. The Dodgers undoubtedly plan to integrate Ryu into the rotation at some point this season, presuming he holds up physically, but he could be held back in extended spring training or be placed on the disabled list to start the season.

Wood currently projects to be a part of the Dodgers' rotation at the start of the season, the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett reports.

Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill, Brandon McCarthy and Wood figure to make up the rotation to start the season, assuming nothing changes between now and Opening Day. This essentially means that Wood has passed Hyun-Jin Ryu in the pecking order, in part because he has pitched so well, and in part because the Dodgers may want to be cautious with Ryu in the early going. Wood has a 3.18 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings this spring. With Ryu building up arm strength and Julio Urias being held back in an order to allow him to pitch into the postseason, there will be ample replacement options should Wood struggle out of the gate, but this development makes him worth rostering for now in most formats. He posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 62:19 K:BB in 56.1 innings as a starter last season, although he averaged less than six innings per start.

Taillon allowed two runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings Monday, striking out four.

The team hoped to have him go five innings but he reached his pitch limit ahead of schedule. Taillon, who has compiled a 3.65 ERA in 12.1 spring innings on nine hits and four walks while striking out 10, enters 2017 behind Gerrit Cole but has the potential to serve as the team's ace. He'll look to build off of an impressive rookie campaign in which he registered a 3.38 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 85:17 K:BB in 104 innings. Control is the key for Taillon. He struck out 417 batters in the minors while issuing only 118 walks in 443.2 innings.

Cabrera gave up two runs on one hit, two walks and a hit batter over 0.2 innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out one.

It's the second time in a week that Cabrera's control has deserted him, not an encouraging sign with Opening Day getting closer. The 23-year-old's 100 mph fastball has made him a popular spec saves play this preseason but after posting a 4.5 BB/9 last year in his big league debut, Cabrera will need to learn to harness his heat before he'll be a truly reliable bullpen arm in any role.

Martinez is back in Cardinals camp from the World Baseball Classic and will start Wednesday against the Nationals, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals' ace will make his first Grapefruit League start since March 1, when he blanked the Mets over three innings. Martinez looked to be in midseason form at the WBC, going 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA and eight whiffs over eight innings and reaching a 75-pitch threshold. A candidate to be named the Cardinals' Opening Day starter, Martinez may get one more spring start after Wednesday.

Lynn (1-1) gave up four hits and one walk over five scoreless innings in Sunday's 5-2 Grapefruit League win over the Braves. He struck out three.

Lynn scattered four singles, not allowing more than one hit in any inning or any baserunner to reach third. The hard-throwing righty's ERA is now 1.29 over 14 spring innings following Sunday's outing. "Five innings, 75 pitches. That was the goal," said Lynn, who actually got through five on 73 pitches (44 strikes). "Not a lot of long-pitch innings, which was good. Missed some spots here and there, but for the most part, I felt pretty good. The last couple innings, I felt better as I went on."

Urias is back at Dodgers camp on Monday after being sent home with strep throat, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Urias isn't 100 percent yet, but he seems to be feeling well enough to return to camp, which is good news. He won't make his scheduled minor league start on Tuesday, but the 20-year-old is hoping he can throw a bullpen instead. This may slow him down a little over the next week, but it shouldn't have any effect on his readiness for the beginning of the season. Urias will be someone to monitor as the season approaches, as the Dodgers have yet to determine what they'll do with the young southpaw to enter the season.

Urena held the Mets off the scoreboard during Sunday's split-squad game despite giving up four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The back of the Marlins' rotation is still unsettled, but Urena really hasn't done much to show he deserves to win a spot in it, putting up a 7.20 ERA and 2.00 WHIP through 10 spring innings. The fact that he's out of minor league options might secure Urena a spot on the Opening Day roster, but don't expect him to have a role on the staff that will provide much fantasy value.