MLB Player News

Cueto arrived at spring camp and is scheduled to take a physical Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Cueto had been in the Dominican Republic taking care of his ailing father and was delayed by visa issues upon his return. The right-hander says he completed three live bullpen sessions in the D.R., but still needs time to adjust to camp. He has already ruled himself out of the first round of the World Baseball Classic as he attempts to get back into form. Regardless, expect the All-Star to be fully ready for Opening Day.

Urena allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four in two scoreless innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

He's probably ticketed for long relief to begin the season, and the Marlins are still hoping the 25-year-old will begin producing in the majors the way he did in the minors. Urena's draft-day fantasy value will be limited, but he could work his way into a useful role as the year progresses.

Teheran gave up three hits and a walk in three shutout innings Friday, striking out three, in his final Grapefruit League start before leaving camp to play in the WBC.

He's looked good through the early part of camp, and Teheran seems just about ready for the regular season, not to mention the WBC. The 26-year-old has made at least 30 starts in four straight seasons, posting a career-best 1.05 WHIP in 2016, and he'll be a key piece of the rebuilding Braves rotation this year.

Syndergaard allowed one hit and two walks in two shutout innings while striking out one in his Grapefruit League debut against the Astros on Friday.

All systems are go for Syndergaard, as the Mets' Opening Day starter heads into 2017 looking to improve on last season's 183.2 innings and 218 strikeouts. Still only 24, Thor and his mighty hammer curve will be looking to compete for his first Cy Young award this season.

Strasburg worked exclusively from the stretch during his first Grapefruit League start Friday against the Cardinals, the Washington Post reports. "I feel like as I've gotten older, for whatever reason," Strasburg said, "the windup's just been an issue as far as getting that right feeling of staying on the mound, not drifting too much towards first or third base side on my leg kick and sticking the landing a little better."

He hasn't yet decided whether to ditch his full windup during the regular season, but pitchers like Yu Darvish have had success working only out of the stretch, and Strasburg feels that his mechanics will be more consistent and put less stress on his arm if he sticks to one motion on the mound. He also said he plans to minimize use of the slider he threw 17.1 percent of the time last season, although he won't ditch it entirely. As always, Strasburg's upside is sky high heading into 2017 -- if he can just find a way to stay healthy.

Wacha fired three scoreless frames in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning Grapefruit League win over the Nationals, surrendering three hits and one walk. He struck out two.

Taking the hill for the second time this spring-- and on three days' rest -- Wacha turned in another encouraging effort, and has now given up just one unearned run over five innings overall. Particularly encouraging Friday was the fact that the right-hander faced a Nationals lineup that included Trea Turner, Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper as its first three hitters. Wacha threw 48 pitches overall, 32 of which found the strike zone, and utilized both his fastball and changeup with success. Battling to secure the fifth spot in the rotation, the 25-year-old has made a solid case thus far, and will look to work up to four innings in his next start.

Cole gave up two hits and a walk in two scoreless innings Friday. He failed to record a strikeout.

He let the first two batters he faced reach base but then compelled Manny Machado to ground into a double play. Cole didn't have his best stuff Friday but the outing was encouraging, given his 2016 season was cut short by an elbow injury.

Glasnow allowed three hits, two walks and one run in 1.2 innings Friday. He struck out two batters.

Things didn't go so well for the prospect the second time seeing the Orioles this spring, after he struck out six of seven batters he faced the first time he saw them. Glasnow struggled with his control and showed little consistency in his ability to throw strikes. Meanwhile, his main competition for the fifth starter's spot, Drew Hutchison, hurled three scoreless frames Friday. Manager Clint Hurdle said at the beginning of spring training that Glasnow would likely start 2017 in the minors. Barring injury, that scenario appears more plausible after both of Friday's showings.

Despaigne has been diagnosed with an oblique strain and will be out at least a week.

Tough news here for Despaigne, who left Thursday's game in the middle of an inning with the injury. The right-hander is competing for a spot in the Miami bullpen after appearing in three games for the Marlins last season. Look for him to rejoin the competition upon his return.

Wheeler is expected to start the 2017 season in extended spring training Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

He's set to lose the No. 5 rotation spot to Robert Gsellman out of the gate. Wheeler's recovery from 2015 Tommy John surgery drags on, and prospective fantasy owners should understand he'll be on a strict innings cap this season. Of course, that shouldn't completely remove him from the fantasy scene, but any fantasy player in a deep mixed league who wants to stash him must remain patient.