MLB Player News

Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Suarez (back) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander suffered a back injury last week and will be unavailable for at least the first couple weeks of the regular season. Taijuan Walker will step into Philadelphia's rotation while Suarez is sidelined.

Woodford exercised the opt-out in his minor-league contract and was released by the Rockies on Sunday.

Woodford signed a minor-league contract with Colorado in mid-January and pitched in seven exhibition games, posting a 5.25 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over 12 innings. The veteran righty didn't appear set to make the Opening Day roster, and he'll look elsewhere for his next big-league opportunity. Woodford recorded a 7.97 ERA and 26:9 K:BB over 35 innings between the White Sox and Pirates last year, and he may need to accept another minor-league contract in order to be able to land with a new organization.

The Guardians announced Sunday that McKenzie will begin the season operating as a reliever, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander had a 7.50 ERA and 10:7 K:BB over 12 innings during spring training, while Logan Allen's 1.89 ERA helped him earn a rotation spot. McKenzie could still see some spot starts this year, but he'll likely need to perform better than his 5.11 ERA over 75.2 regular-season innings in 2024 to get an extended look in the rotation.

Scherzer's thumb responded well to Saturday's 62-pitch start against the Twins in the Grapefruit League, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Scherzer went four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four.

The future Hall of Famer looks to be in the clear for the start of the regular season after a right thumb injury brought his availability into question earlier in the week. He will likely slot in as the No. 3 starter in Toronto behind Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman to begin 2025, putting him on track for a home start against the Orioles on Saturday in his team debut. Scherzer figures to have some minor workload restrictions early on given where he is with his pitch count, plus the fact he begins to have issues gripping the ball with his thumb after reaching 50 pitches or so.

Allen was named the Guardians' No. 5 starter Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander earned the job with a strong showing during spring training, as he made six appearances and had a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB across 19 innings. Allen had a 5.73 ERA in 20 regular-season starts for Cleveland last year but had a 3.81 ERA over 125.1 innings as a rookie in 2023.

The Reds reassigned Miley (elbow) to minor-league camp Sunday.

Miley was in big-league camp on a minor-league deal. The veteran lefty is working his way back from the left elbow surgery he underwent last June. Miley faced hitters Tuesday for the first time this spring, but he isn't expected to be ready to throw in big-league games until at least May.

Hurter, Brenan Hanifee and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Hurter and Chafin are both southpaws, which could give them an edge, though the righty Hanifee impressed for the Tigers last year with a 1.84 ERA across 29.1 regular-season innings. Ultimately, all three players figure to see time in the majors this season, as the team needs bullpen reinforcements. Hurter pitched well last year during his MLB debut, compiling a 2.58 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 45.1 regular-season innings.

Matz will work in long relief to begin the campaign, though he is expected to enter the rotation as a sixth starter April 16 against the Astros, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz was a candidate to land a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he'll instead come out of the bullpen until St. Louis shifts to a six-man unit. The southpaw had a strong spring, posting a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he's had trouble staying healthy while working mostly as a starter during his 10-year big-league career.

The Cardinals optioned McGreevy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

McGreevy was in the running for a rotation spot and had an excellent spring with a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB over 16.2 innings. However, St. Louis is giving Matthew Liberatore the fifth-starter role to begin the season, while McGreevy will start in the minors and Steven Matz will work in long relief. The Cardinals intend to go to a six-man rotation beginning April 16, per Katie Woo of The Athletic, and McGreevy seems to be a prime candidate to move into the big-league rotation at that point.

Liberatore will be St. Louis' fifth starter to begin the campaign, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

This news comes as a mild surprise after Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in mid-March that Liberatore would likely open the season in the bullpen. Instead, the left-hander will work as St. Louis' fifth starter while Steven Matz will begin the campaign in the bullpen and Michael McGreevy will start the season in the minors. The Cardinals plan to move to a six-man rotation beginning April 16, giving Liberatore more leeway as a starter as long as his performance is up to par early in the campaign.