MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Abbott is competing with Brandon Williamson (shoulder) for the fifth spot in the rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Martinez are locked into the first four rotation spots, leaving Abbott and Williamson to battle for the final slot. It might be only temporary, though, as Nick Lodolo (lower leg) could be ready for his season debut by April 10. Abbott has been roughed up this spring, giving up seven runs on 14 hits and a walk over eight innings. The lefty also faded badly down the stretch last season with a 6.09 ERA in his final 10 starts.

Varland is expected to open the season in the Minnesota rotation after president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Monday that Anthony DeSclafani (forearm) will open the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Varland has been a standout performer this spring with no runs allowed and 11 strikeouts against one walk through 11 innings in the Grapefruit League, but the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining was seemingly working against him in his competition with DeSclafani and Chris Paddack for the final two spots in the Opening Day rotation. However, with DeSclafani having been diagnosed with a forearm strain following a minor-league spring start over the weekend, Varland looks like he could have an extended runway in the Minnesota rotation. Expect Varland's average draft position to surge in the wake of the DeSclafani injury, given that the young right-hander had previously fared well in his initial starting opportunities in the big leagues last season with a 3.51 ERA through his first seven outings with Minnesota in 2023. He faded soon after and was eventually optioned to the minors, but he pitched well down the stretch upon rejoining Minnesota in a bullpen role last September. With Varland having now carried that late-season momentum into spring training, he may be in better position to enjoy sustained success as a starter in the big leagues over a longer period of time in 2024.

Butto has touched 97 mph with his fastball this spring and shown a slider and cutter to go along with his changeup and curveball, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The deeper and stronger arsenal has led to good results -- Butto has allowed only one earned run over 10 Grapefruit League innings with a 9:2 K:BB. The 25-year-old has also been more aggressive in attacking the strike zone, a sign of his confidence in his new repertoire. "A light switch went off in the middle of [last] year, and he's really turned into a monster on the mound and an aggressive, come-at-you, want-to-get-you-out type of guy," pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said of Butto earlier this spring. After posting a 3.29 ERA and 28:9 K:BB over five September starts and 27.1 innings in 2023, Butto is behind Tylor Megill in the battle for the one available spot in the Mets' Opening Day rotation, but he's likely to be the next man up should a starter get hurt or falter.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said DeSclafani will open the season on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

According to Helfand, Falvey adds that DeSclafani will have his injury assessed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, after which the Twins should have a better idea on a treatment plan for the right-hander. DeSclafani had entered spring training as a frontrunner for a back-end spot in the Minnesota rotation, but he didn't make any Cactus League appearances while the Twins eased him back after his 2023 campaign was cut short by a right elbow flexor strain. DeSclafani was able to cover 1.2 innings in a minor-league spring training game over the weekend, but his forearm apparently didn't respond well. Though DeSclafani will be eligible to return from the IL around the middle of April, given the nature of his injury and his history of arm trouble, it wouldn't be surprising if he required a long-term absence, regardless of whether or not Meister recommends surgery. Louie Varland now looks to be the leading candidate to open the season as Minnesota's No. 5 starter.

Lynch has allowed four runs on nine hits and five walks with nine strikeouts over 13 innings across five Cactus League appearances (three starts).

Lynch's role is still to be determined, but he's stretched out enough to at least be a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. Alec Marsh, who is also in the rotation competition, has started just one of his five appearances, though he has covered 14 innings. Both Lynch and Marsh are pushing for the No. 5 starter spot, which could be available after Jordan Lyles has been slowed by back pain in spring training. Roster decisions are likely to come over the next week or so as manager Matt Quatraro trims down the spring roster ahead of Opening Day.

Garrett (shoulder) threw live batting practice Sunday to Jazz Chisholm and Jake Burger and showed no issues, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw sat 90-92 miles per hour with his fastball and gave Chisholm fits with his slider and changeup. Garrett won't be ready for Opening Day, but the shoulder soreness he reported at the beginning of camp appears to be gone, and he can begin to ramp up in earnest. He's expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season, dealing another blow to a Miami rotation that will be without Sandy Alcantara (elbow) throughout 2024 and could also be down Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and Eury Perez (elbow/finger) to kick off the campaign.

Bieber has allowed three runs on five hits and six walks while striking out 12 over 11.1 innings across three Cactus League starts.

Bieber racked up eight of those strikeouts over 5.2 innings Sunday versus the Reds. After dealing with elbow inflammation in 2023, the right-hander had no restrictions entering spring training and has delivered strong results. Nothing's set in stone yet, but it's likely Bieber will make one more spring start and figures to be in contention for the Opening Day start March 28 versus the Athletics.

Berrios gave up four runs, but only one earned, on six hits over 4.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander's own error led to a three-run second inning for Philly, but Berrios shook it off and stuck around long enough to build up to 78 pitches (53 strikes). He's allowed only two earned runs in 13 innings this spring with a 9:2 K:BB, and the 29-year-old could get the Opening Day start for the Blue Jays with Kevin Gausman (shoulder) looking at a delayed start to his season.

Manager Scott Servais said Monday that Castillo will start the Mariners' March 28 season opener versus the Red Sox at T-Mobile Park, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners have better choices than most teams to take the ball Opening Day, but Castillo always loomed as the obvious option. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 3.34 ERA and 219:56 K:BB over 197 innings covering 33 starts for Seattle in 2023.

Lorenzen threw 70 pitches with four up-downs Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Lorenzen was hitting 94-to-96 miles per hour with his fastball in the throwing session. While Lorenzen's workout wasn't the equivalent of pitching in a more organized exhibition game setting, it does offer the hope that he'll be ready to pitch soon after he eventually signs with a team. The Yankees and White Sox are two of the teams reportedly showing recent interest in the free-agent right-hander.