MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Wicks will be part of the Opening Day rotation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks won a spot on the strength of a 2.60 ERA and 12:2 K:BB over 17.1 innings this spring. The left-hander lacks strikeout upside, but a plus changeup and a good number of groundballs gives him a chance at deep-league fantasy relevance.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Thursday that Smyly will begin the season in the bullpen, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Though Jameson Taillon (back) is slated to begin the season on the injured list, the Cubs are electing to fill the final two spots in the five-man rotation with Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad rather than opening the campaign with Smyly in a starting role. Counsell noted that he still expects Smyly to make starts at some point this season, so the 35-year-old lefty presumably checks in at seventh on the organization's rotation depth chart, including the injured Taillon.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Lyles will open the season in the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lyles has been limited to just five innings this spring because of a back problem and has served up four home runs during that time. The right-hander will be an overpaid long reliever, but Quatraro is making a logical decision in picking Alec Marsh over Lyles, who posted a 6.28 ERA in 31 starts last year.

Musgrove allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 2.2 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Thursday in the second game of the Seoul Series.

The Padres handed Musgrove a five-run lead before he even took the mound for his season debut, but the right-hander was unable to hold the Dodgers at bay. Los Angeles struck for a run in each of the first two frames before chasing Musgrove in the third. While San Diego still went on to win, this was certainly not a promising beginning from an individual perspective for Musgrove, who got to only 60 pitches (38 of which were strikes) before he was removed. Musgrove's season was cut short by a shoulder injury last year, and he gave up nine earned runs in six innings during spring training, so questions will remain about lingering impacts of the injury until he begins to look better on the mound.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Gray (hamstring) could make his season debut during the Cardinals' season-opening road trip, which runs from March 28 through April 3, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gray will pitch two innings in a minor-league game Friday, and the Cardinals could have a better idea as to a potential timetable for the right-hander after that. While his hamstring injury will prevent him from being ready for the March 28 season opener in Los Angeles, Gray could avoid a stint on the injured list and make a start within the first week. After the Opening Day contest, the Cardinals play three more games against the Dodgers and then head to San Diego for a three-game set that kicks off April 1.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Rom has taken a step back from throwing recently due to a left biceps issue, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

He hasn't been fully shut down, but the injury helps explain why Rom hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance in nearly a week. Once healthy, the left-hander is slated to open the season in Triple-A Memphis' rotation.

Gausman (shoulder) is expected to throw 60-to-65 pitches in Monday's Grapefruit League finale against the Pirates, which might be enough to convince the Blue Jays he doesn't need to begin the regular season on the injured list, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Since Gausman reported arm fatigue earlier in the spring, the assumption has been that he would miss the beginning of the season, but the veteran right-hander said his arm felt fine after throwing two innings in a simulated game Wednesday. If he works up to 60-plus pitches Monday, the team may decide to include him in the initial rotation, albeit on a restricted pitch count for his first couple trips to the mound. The other option would be a brief IL stint while he continues to build up in extended spring training. Gausman admitted Wednesday he'd prefer to toss at least 75 pitches in an outing before making his first regular-season start, and the Jays have every incentive to be cautious with their ace, so a slightly delayed start to his campaign is still more likely. If he misses only one turn, he could make his season debut March 3 in Houston, but a home start March 9 against the Mariners might be a more plausible timeline.

Peterson (hip) began throwing bullpen sessions in March and is hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible May 27, MLB.com reports.

After undergoing surgery Nov. 6 to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, Peterson was projected to require 6-to-7 months of recovery time, so the Mets felt comfortable stashing him on the 60-day IL to begin the season to clear up a 40-man roster spot for another player. Peterson won't be ready to pitch in games at any point this spring, but he seems to be making steady progress in his recovery from hip surgery. Now that he's reached the point in his rehab where he's throwing bullpen sessions, Peterson could soon face hitters in live batting practice sessions and simulated games. After that, Peterson would then likely be sent out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to build back up to a starter's workload.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Senga (shoulder) will begin throwing within the next week, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Senga was cleared to begin activities following an MRI and a visit with doctors Tuesday. Once the right-hander passes the necessary strength tests, he will begin throwing. Healey reports that Senga's ramp-up will likely take "at least" six weeks, so a return to the Mets rotation probably won't come until sometime in May, if not later. Senga is working his way back from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder.

Yamamoto (0-1) took the loss to the Padres on Thursday in the second game of the Seoul Series. He allowed five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning.

The right-hander also hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch in a forgettable big-league debut. He threw 43 pitches and only 23 of them found the strike zone. Signed in the offseason to the longest and most lucrative contract for a pitcher in MLB history, Yamamoto will face immense pressure to perform right away in his first season stateside. There will be better days ahead, but Thursday offered a harsh reminder that he's facing a different level of competition and the transition to Major League Baseball is often difficult.