MLB Player News

Gillispie appears to have an inside track to head into Opening Day as the Marlins' No. 5 starter with Edward Cabrera (finger) likely to begin the season on the injured list, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Sandy Alcantara, Ryan Weathers, Cal Quantrill and Max Meyer are locked into spots in the Opening Day rotation, and with Cabrera dealing with a blister and Valente Bellozo and Adam Mazur having already been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville, Gillispie appears to be the only starting candidate on the 40-man roster still left in big-league camp. The 27-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut in 2024 as a reliever with Cleveland, but he started in 15 of his 27 appearances at Triple-A Columbus last season, logging a 4.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 119:48 K:BB in 113.1 innings. He's fared well over his first four outings of the spring with Miami, having yet to allow a hit while issuing one walk and striking out four over eight scoreless innings. Gillispie is scheduled to start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, and another strong showing could be enough to solidify his spot in the rotation.

Cabrera will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his right middle finger, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera exited in his last Grapefruit League outing Thursday due to the injury. He played catch Monday, but the throwing session apparently didn't go as well as the Marlins had hoped. Connor Gillispie has tossed eight scoreless innings this spring without allowing a hit and looks to be first in line to fill the rotation vacancy created by Cabrera's absence.

Houck allowed two unearned runs on six hits while striking out three over 4.1 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League start against Baltimore.

Houck made his third start of what has been a rocky Grapefruit League stint. The right-hander has allowed 17 hits and three walks while striking out five over 10 spring innings (6.30 ERA). That he got a fifth up-and-down and threw 72 pitches is a positive sign for Houck, who was Boston's most dependable starter from April to October of 2024. Once considered to start Opening Day, those plans changed after Boston acquired Garrett Crochet during the offseason. Houck is scheduled to work the second game of the season, March 28, behind the surging Crochet (one run allowed, 10.1 spring innings), who will start the first game of the regular season.

Yamamoto (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Cubs in Tokyo after giving up one run on three hits and one walk across five innings. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old induced 11 swinging strikes on just 72 pitches, with the only damage against him coming via an RBI double by Miguel Amaya during the second inning. The shortness of the outing isn't surprising since the Dodgers dealt with an abbreviated spring training, and Yamamoto should be built up to a full workload before long. The right-hander struggled against the Padres during his MLB debut in South Korea nearly a year ago, but he delivered a strong start to 2025 on Tuesday while pitching in his home country of Japan.

Schmidt (shoulder) could start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game at the Phillies, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

There were positive reports after Schmidt threw a 24-pitch bullpen session Monday and again Tuesday morning, as Schmidt noted his shoulder felt good the day after. Even if cleared to be in the season-opening rotation, the right-hander would likely have some workload limitations early on, as manager Aaron Boone admitted Tuesday that "he's obviously not going to be built up," per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Schmidt staying behind in Florida to get stretched out for an extra week or two at the start of the season is also being considered.

Bibee allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Reds.

This was just the second Cactus League outing for Bibee, who looked like he's ready to be Cleveland's ace. He's allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven over nine Cactus League innings. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has yet to name his Opening Day starter -- Cleveland is one of two teams that have not named one (Arizona is the other) -- but it would be a shock if the right-hander isn't given that honor. Bibee's five-day schedule lines up perfectly for him to get the ball against the Royals on March 27.

Smith-Shawver, who struck out eight over four innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against the Twins, could make the Opening Day roster even if Atlanta also carries Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

He gave up two runs on six hits and zero walks in his most recent start, building up to a spring-high 75 pitches (55 strikes). Smith-Shawver seems to be a better bet than Anderson to provide fantasy value if given the opportunity, and Bowman notes that Atlanta plays seven straight days to open the season, so it could make sense for the team to break camp with six starters in case any of the first five stumble and length is needed from the bullpen. Anderson being out of options tips the scales in his favor, but Smith-Shawver's standout spring training shouldn't be overlooked. He has specifically impressed by leaning on his secondary pitches when he gets behind in counts, showing that he can throw all four pitches for strikes.

Spiers allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over five relief innings in Monday's Cactus League game against Cleveland.

Spiers is on the outside looking in at the Reds' projected rotation, but he remains on call if needed. The right-hander pitched in relief of starter Andrew Abbott, who made his spring debut Monday and is not certain to be ready to go when the regular season kicks off. "You know what? This kid has had a heck of a camp. He's filling up the strike zone and changes speed," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said of Spiers' spring to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "I don't know him as well as the rest of these guys do, but he's handled himself really well." Spiers has a 2.70 ERA and allowed five hits and four walks while striking out 10 over 10 Cactus League innings.

Abbott allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over three innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Guardians.

Results weren't important for Abbott, who was behind other starter candidates due to a shoulder issue that first cropped up at the end of the 2024 regular season and persisted over the winter. He made his Cactus League debut and was pleased with the 48-pitch effort, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. The left-hander felt he was locating all of his pitches and getting three up-and-downs was a positive. The Reds would like Abbott to able to work five innings in order to feel comfortable inserting him into the rotation to start the regular season. Abbott will have one more opportunity to start during Cactus League play. Cincinnati does not need a fifth starter until April 5, which would give Abbott time for another session against minor leaguers or in a simulated game. If Abbott is not ready to go by then, Graham Ashcraft or Carson Spiers would fill in.

Nelson allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits while striking out one over three-plus innings in Monday's Cactus League start against Kansas City.

Nelson's uneventful spring blew up in his fourth spring outing (third start). He was responsible for runs in all innings pitched and was chased after giving up four consecutive hits to lead off the fourth. The Royals were jumping on Nelson early in counts -- the right-hander threw just 55 pitches despite facing 19 batters. Nelson, who was a rotation regular in 2024, is competing for the fifth spot this spring.