MLB Player News

DeSclafani is dealing with an oblique strain and has been pushed back to at least the Reds' fifth start on April 10. He first suffered the injury two starts ago, but then felt it more in his last start last week on Thursday.

The news on DeSclafani was sort of buried in the announcement that Raisel Iglesias will start on Opening Day. DeSclafani and the Reds hope he'll be back by April 10, but that isn't assured. "[That] will allow us to go through a short throwing progression and long toss and then be able to throw a simulated game in Cincinnati and [be] ready to go on the 10th," Price said. "With the therapy and things of that nature, there was no reason to think that he couldn't pitch by the 10th. However, we all know that if it's exacerbated, it could be a much longer period of time. It's between a rock and a hard place. We need a starter and we don't want to create a bad situation."

Lorenzen (elbow) was recently given a platelet-rich plasma injection to help accelerate his healing.

Lorenzen, who hasn't resumed throwing yet, will certainly not be ready for the start of the season, and it's up in the air what role he'll have once he is cleared to throw again.

Ramirez, who is out of options, is still on the roster bubble, Carrie Muskat of the Cubs' official site reports.

Ramirez is out of options, but his chances of heading north with the Cubs depend on Javier Baez's health and whether or not the team wants to start the year with 12 or 13 pitchers. Baez has been out of action for more than a week because of a sprained thumb. If Baez needs a short DL stint, Tommy La Stella and Matt Szczur could probably cover his various roles, giving an opportunity for Ramirez. If Baez is ready to go however, the Cubs may opt to go with just 12 pitchers. Ramirez pitched a scoreless inning Monday, but he's given up seven runs - five of which came in one appearance - in six innings this spring.

Cole could stay behind in Florida when the Pirates head north for the opening series against St. Louis, Root Sports Pittsburgh reports.

The thinking is that Cole would start one more minor-league game in Florida before starting for the Pirates in Cincinnati during the first weekend. The righty struggled with his consistency Monday, but at least he got his work in -- he threw 83 pitches -- and avoided reinjuring his ribcage. For whatever reason, Cole hasn't pitched well at all in Cincinnati, compiling a 4.30 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 23 innings and four career starts at Great American Ballpark.

Manager Chip Hale said Monday that Ray will be Arizona's fifth starter in the rotation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ray was the favorite for the last spot in the rotation and Hale's proclamation Monday only cements it. The 24-year-old started in 23 games last season, accruing a 5-12 record with an ERA of 3.52, although he could be supplanted by top prospects Braden Shipley or Archie Bradley at some point in the summer.

Cole surrendered two earned runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four in a 6-4 loss to Minnesota Monday.

It was only his second appearance in MLB spring training thus far and it appears he's still working out some kinks. Cole is returning from a rib injury he suffered before spring training so any live game action is positive news from a purely health standpoint. Although the return from his injury may cause him to be out of order in the rotation for Opening Day, he's in line to make a start for the Pirates sometime in the first week of the regular season.

Ryu (shoulder) will toss a bullpen session Wednesday, and if he passes that test, he's scheduled to throw live batting practice next week, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

If Ryu is cleared for the BP session, it's unclear whether he'll complete said throws at the Dodgers' spring facility or in Los Angeles itself. No matter his next step, though, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA relays that Ryu is at the same stage as position players upon their arrival at spring training, which leaves the starter approximately 6-7 weeks from his season debut. Knowing that, the best-case scenario for his return appears to be the second week of May.

Velasquez threw six scoreless innings Monday in a spring training matchup against Toronto, giving up two hits, three walks, while striking out eight.

The 23-year-old righty continues to make strides this spring training as he's logged increased innings in four consecutive starts now. He's pitched at least five innings in his past two starts and given up less than three hits while striking out at least seven in each. This spring, he's compiled an impressive 2.25 ERA while recording 24 strikeouts in 20 innings of work. He's slated as the Philadelphia's fifth starter entering the 2016 regular season.

Teheran was named the Opening Day starter Monday, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports.

This comes as no surprise, as Teheran is easily the top arm in the Braves arsenal, especially with Shelby Miller out of the fold. He'll be on the bump against the division-rival Nationals in his first assignment of the season.

The Phillies announced Monday that Velasquez will open the season as the fifth starter, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Velasquez and his primary competitor, Adam Morgan, both threw the ball well this spring, but manager Pete Mackanin decided to give Velasquez an immediate chance to show what he can do with the team that acquired him over the offseason. Velasquez got his feet wet in the big leagues last season with the Astros and showed some potential in the strikeout category, punching out 58 batters over 55.2 innings.