MLB Player News

Lugo is part of the "open competition" for the Mets' fifth rotation spot, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

The 27-year-old will compete with Zach Wheeler (elbow) and Robert Gsellman for the final starter spot during spring training. Lugo impressed during his brief time at the major league level last season, compiling a 2.67 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across eight starts and nine relief appearances, but given Wheeler's pedigree and Gsellman's success during the same time period, it could prove to be a bit of an uphill climb for Lugo. He'll likely have to really stand out in his Grapefruit League outings to overcome the other two hurlers for the final rotation spot, which could leave Lugo in a swingman role to start the season.

Manager Terry Collins stated that Wheeler (elbow) will go into camp as a starter, but he isn't sure how many innings he can log this season, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

The oft-injured righty was adamant about acting as a starter this season, and it seems that the Mets' skipper is also on board with this plan. The Mets do have a good amount of starting pitching depth with Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo both sporting major league starting experience, so Wheeler will likely be treated with a lot of care throughout the spring. He's certainly a risky pick, but a strong spring (both in terms of health and performance) could vault him into the rotation spot everyone though the former top prospect would someday claim.

Gonzales (elbow) threw from a mound Friday, the first time since his Tommy John surgery last April, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

More good news from a recovery standpoint for Gonzales, who said he felt fatigued, but that his arm "feels really good." The left-hander expects to make his first bullpen session next week and hopes to be pitching in the system by May. Gonzales last pitched in 2015 and will likely begin the season in the minors.

Kershaw will not participate in the World Baseball Classic, CBS Sports reports.

Kershaw is sitting this one out in hopes of staying as fresh as possible for the upcoming season. The Rays' Chris Archer should slide up the rotation and serve as the team's ace for the tournament. From a fantasy perspective, Kershaw remains the unanimous top pick on the pitching side of things.

Martinez will be one of the centerpieces of Team Dominican's pitching staff in this year's WBC, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals ace, along with the Giants' Johnny Cueto, will helm Team Dominican's pitching staff as they strive to defend their WBC title. The extent of Martinez's workload is to be determined, as a new rule allowing teams to have two "designated pitchers" active for each round will be implemented for this year's WBC. Martinez has posted a 30-16 record with 358 strikeouts across 375 innings over the last two seasons and signed a five-year, $51 million extension with St. Louis on Feb. 1.

Teheran will pitch for Team Colombia in the WBC, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 26-year-old has a strong bounce-back campaign in 2016, and will be the ace of a Colombia staff that lacks established major league arms aside from the White Sox's Jose Quintana. Teheran could make a quick return to camp for the Braves, though, as Colombia is in a tough qualifying group that also features Team USA and the defending champions, the Dominican Republic.

Wheeler (elbow) is determined to return to a starting role sometime this season, Kevin Kernan of The New York Post reports.

Although Wheeler understands his road back from Tommy John surgery may include a bullpen stint, the right-hander remains adamant about his future in the organization. "I know I belong in the starting rotation, there's no question about that," he said. Wheeler hasn't pitched in the majors since 2014 and was shut down after one rehab start last season with a flexor strain. Nonetheless, the once highly touted prospect says he has had a productive offseason, something he hopes will translate to a healthy spring.

Thompson could be a little behind the other pitchers in camp due to some mild soreness in his right wrist, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

The Phillies have all five rotation spots set, so Thompson isn't going to get an opportunity to start the year in the majors unless injuries strike this spring. He struggled during his first look in the majors late last season, going 3-6 with a 5.70 ERA and a 32:28 K:BB in 53.2 innings. He is expected to start the year back at Triple-A, but should be one of the top options to come up when the Phillies need a starter.

Scahill was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs after clearing waivers Monday.

Scahill remains in the Brewers' organization after being DFA'd to clear room for Ehire Adrianza. After posting a 2.45 ERA over 18.1 innings for Milwaukee last season, expect the right-hander to compete for a bullpen spot come spring training.

Urena could begin the season in the Marlins' bullpen due to the fact that he's out of options, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

The front office restocked the pitching staff in the offseason, bringing in a number of veteran arms to fill up both the rotation and bullpen, but Urena could still hang onto a spot on the 25-man roster as the Marlins would have to risk losing him to waivers to send him back to Triple-A. The 25-year-old has yet to show much at the major league level, but he still flashes a big fastball and given how little big-league ready talent the organization has in the minors, they can ill afford to lose a talented arm for nothing.