MLB Player News

Julio Teheran will be the Braves' fifth starter to open the season, manager Fredi Gonzalez announced. 

The 22-year-old came into camp fighting for a job at the back-end of the rotation, but performed well enough to earn the spot this spring. 

Teheran has long been considered a top pitching prospect, and will now have a chance to show what he can do at the major-league level. 

Teheran struggled in Triple-A last season, posting a 5.08 ERA in 131 innings. 

Adam Wainwright’s agent met with Cardinals officials on Thursday to discuss a long-term contract extension, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. 

Wainwright, 31, has expressed interest in reaching an agreement with the team before the start of the season. His agent Steve Hammond said both sides are working hard to get a deal done, and will be talking "lmost everyday."

In 198 2/3 innings last year, Wainwright had a 3.94 ERA and a 3.10 FIP.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (elbow) fared well during a minor-league start Wednesday. Greinke allowed one hit in four scoreless innings. He hit a batter and struck out two, while throwing 43 pitches. 

"Elbow wasn't an issue today," Greinke said. "I wasn't worried about it. My arm felt really good and strong, but the pitches aren't 100 percent crisp yet."

Cardinals pitching prospect Carlos Martinez has yet to show up for spring training because he's still having visa issues, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Martinez is stuck in the Dominican Republic awaiting a work visa to travel to the United States. His delay means it's unlikely he will be ready for the start of the season with any of the team's minor-league affiliates.

Martinez remains in contact with the team and continues to work out in the Dominican. However, he is not on a formal throwing program because of his uncertain timetable. MLB has been involved in the process trying to help Martinez, who is considered a top-100 prospect by MLB.com (No. 33) and Baseball America (No. 38).

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports the Marlins' opening day roster is beginning to take shape. Heyman said the defensive alignment will be Rob Brantly at catcher, Casey Kotchman at first base, Donovan Solano at second base, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Placido Polanco at third base, Juan Pierre in left field, Justin Ruggiano in center field and Giancarlo Stanton in right field.

The rotation isn't settled yet, but Ricky Nolasco, Henderson Alvarez and Nate Eovaldi have secured spots. The final two spots remain up for grabs.

MLB.com reports Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (elbow) will start in a minor-league game Wednesday. Greinke last appeared in a spring game March 1.

Rockies starter Juan Nicasio was much sharper on Tuesday in a Cactus League start against the Royals. Nicasio, who had struggled much of the spring, allowed just an earned run over five solid innings. 

Nicasio, 26, allowed three hits and three walks against the Royals as he struck out four. His biggest mistake was a solo homer to Mike Moustakas in the second inning. He lowered his ERA on the spring from 6.97 to 5.28. 

The pitcher credits the development of his changeup for the improvement, reports the Denver Post. 

"Because I play at Coors Field. I need something besides my fastball to get them," Nicasio said. "It’s about 83 to 84 (miles per hour) so it can be really good for me." Nicasio also said he's ready to go for the season. 

Once a promising prospect, Nicasio hasn't made more than 13 starts in each of his first two seasons due to injuries. He missed most of last season due to knee surgery but is healthy and projects to start the season in the middle of the Colorado rotation. 

Despite being slowed by a minor finger injury recently, Dodgers starting pitcher Chad Billingsley is projected to start the second game of the regular season on April 2, the Los Angeles Times reports. Billingsley was scratched from his scheduled spring start Tuesday with a bruised index finger, but is slated to throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

The Dodgers will keep Hyun-Jin Ryu on the same schedule as Billingsley -- the two are both expected to pitch in a Cactus League game on Saturday -- in case Billingsley is unavailable for the start of the season.

Mets prospect Zack Wheeler saw his first game action Monday since suffering a right oblique strain in late February. Wheeler, who was sent to minor-league camp last week, gave up just a hit in three innings. The right-hander posted on Twitter that he "felt great."

Wheeler was 12-8 with a 3.26 ERA in 25 starts between two stops in the minors last season.

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley was able to throw 26 pitches over two innings in an intrasquad game on Monday, MLB.com reports. The left-hander had his last start pushed back because of "dead arm," a common ailment that leaves pitchers with a tired arm at this stage of the spring.

"He threw the ball well," D-backs pitching coach Charles Nagy said. "It was coming out of his hand very good. Velocity was good and he was able to locate much better."

Miley has allowed three runs in four innings in Cactus League action.