MLB Player News

Strasburg has recovered from his elbow injury and will participate in full capacity at spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg recently said that after meeting with doctors, he was told he could train without any restrictions. Moving forward, he'll throw bullpen sessions every other day and build up to facing live hitters. While this is promising news, owners should monitor his activity throughout spring training, as the Nationals could very well tread with caution with their often-injured righty.

Wacha lost his arbitration hearing on Tuesday and will receive $2.775 million for the 2017 season, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

He was asking for $3.2 million, but the arbiter likely took notice of his inability to log more than 138 innings in two of the last three seasons and sided with the team. Wacha's role for 2017 is up in the air, as there has been talk of him being developed into a super reliever in the Andrew Miller mold. However, Alex Reyes needed an MRI on his pitching arm Tuesday, and any injuries to starters ahead of Wacha on the depth chart could result in him starting the year in the rotation.

Anderson lost his arbitration case Tuesday and will receive $2.45 million for the 2017 season, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

He had been seeking $2.85 million, but the arbiter sided with the Brewers in Anderson's first arbitration case. Anderson is in a complicated position heading into the season, as he underwhelmed somewhat last season (4.39 ERA, 1.37 WHIP), and may soon be passed on the organizational depth chart by some of the Brewers' younger, more exciting arms.

Walker (ankle) lost his arbitration hearing and will receive $2.25 million for the 2017 season, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Walker had been asking for a bit more than that, but considering his inconsistencies since reaching the majors, the arbiter sided with the Diamondbacks. He is currently focused on recovering from October ankle surgery in order to be ready for the start of the season.

Eflin threw his third bullpen session Tuesday and said his knees, which were operated on late last year, feel great, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "It's been a very, very long time since I've been able to walk on knees that felt good," Eflin said. "So I'm excited."

Eflin had surgeries this past year to repair the patellar tendons in his left and right knees. He had dealt with chronic knee pain for the past 10-12 years prior to having the surgical procedures. He said the surgery has allowed him to get more weight loaded up on his back half when he is coming down with his left leg on his delivery. Eflin is competing for a rotation spot this spring, but he would need an injury to one of the Phillies' current five projected starters to have a real chance of avoiding opening the year back at Triple-A.

Nicolino is a long shot to break camp on the 25-man roster this spring.

The Marlins brought in a number of veteran pitchers this offseason, all but locking Nicolino out of a rotation spot, and while they'll have a couple of openings for long relievers in their bullpen, Jose Urena is out of options and should win one spot, while whoever loses out on the fifth starter job will take the other. Nicolino hasn't impressed in either the majors or at Triple-A New Orleans over the last couple of years, and the 25-year-old lefty's inability to miss bats leaves his future role, or indeed whether he'll ever establish himself as a big league arm, in some doubt.

Manager Torey Lovullo said that the Diamondbacks' goal is to get Walker (ankle) ready for the start of the regular season, Jody Jackson of FOX Sports Arizona reports.

The young fireballer underwent ankle surgery back in October prior to being traded to Arizona, but it seems like Walker will be close to ready by the time Opening Day rolls around. A firmer timetable should become available as spring training progresses, but things seem to be looking up for the young hurler.

Manager Torey Lovullo said that Greinke (shoulder) is fully healthy but will take things slow this spring, Nick Piecoro of AZCentral Sports reports.

The right-handed ace sat out the end of the season with a shoulder injury, but the Diamondbacks are confident that he'll be 100 percent for Opening Day. They'll still take the cautious approach with their stud pitcher, but Greinke seems to be good to go to try and rebound from last year's down campaign.

Cueto will not be in spring training for a couple more days in order to stay with his ailing father, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This news shouldn't worry anyone, as the stud right-hander will be ready for Cactus League soon enough. Cueto will look to build off his strong 2016 campaign where he won 18 games and posted an excellent 2.79 ERA across 32 starts with the Giants.

Syndergaard bulked up this offseason, adding 17 pounds of muscle, in an effort to help his stamina and improve his velocity, The NY Daily News reports. "I always want to throw harder and continue to make the game easier," Syndergaard said of the added strength. "I feel like last year, from my rookie season, my velocity jumped up from my rookie season to last year, so I'm always going to try to raise that kind of bar. Hopefully it allows me to go deeper into games with more ease, but (I am) also focused on paying a lot of attention to my flexibility. Pitching is not just max effort, it's about being fluid and having flexibility out there."

Thor averaged 98.0 mph on his fastball last season, so the thought of him adding velocity is a terrifying one for opposition hitters. He also developed a bone spur in his elbow, though, and given all the other injuries the Mets have dealt with in their starting rotation, there is some question about whether it's smart for Syndergaard to put any additional strain on his arm. He should be able top crack the 200-inning mark for the first time in 2017 if he stays healthy, however, and is among the preseason favorites for the NL Cy Young Award.