MLB Player News

Ynoa (elbow) struck out one and worked around one hit and one walk over one inning of relief Saturday in Atlanta's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh in Grapefruit League play.

Ynoa made his first appearance in a game since August 2022, as he spent the entire 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander contended with some soreness earlier in camp, but after getting back on the mound Saturday, he looks like he'll enter the 2024 campaign with his health intact. Because of the time he missed, Ynoa could be placed on the injured list to begin the season, though he has a minor-league option remaining and could alternatively be sent to Triple-A Gwinnett if Atlanta doesn't have a spot for him in its Opening Day bullpen and wants to keep him to get stretched out as a starter in the minors.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that Meyer could still be a rotation option to open the season for the Marlins, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 25-year-old's dismissal to minor-league camp Tuesday appeared to be the end of his bid for the rotation, but injuries for Eury Perez (elbow), Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) leave Miami without most of its presumed starting unit. Meyer pitched seven scoreless frames during Grapefruit League action and is the organization's top prospect, but he didn't pitch at all last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander (shoulder) will throw a light bullpen session Sunday, and if that goes well, the right-hander will advance to throwing live batting practice, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander said Friday he is "definitely getting close to facing hitters," and it appears Sunday's bullpen will be the final hurdle. Espada also said the 41-year-old will require multiple live sessions before pitching in games, so Verlander is likely still a week or two away from that step. The veteran will begin the season on the injured list but could be ready to join the Astros in mid-to-late April.

Nelson allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rangers.

Nelson may have sewn up the fifth starter job with this effort. The three walks were the most he's allowed in five Cactus League starts, but he managed to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. He was pulled from the game in the fourth inning only to come back and start the fifth, giving him five up-and-downs and a pitch count of 78, per Michael McDermott of SI.com. Both Nelson and Tommy Henry will get one more spring start before a decision is made as to which one will fill out the rotation.

DeSclafani (elbow) threw 1.2 innings in a Triple-A spring training game Saturday with three strikeouts and two walks, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani hasn't appeared in a major-league spring training game, but that could come in the next week. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but it's not certain he'll be ready for Opening Day despite this progress. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has thrown 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.

Grove is expected to open the season in a multi-inning relief role for the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gavin Stone beat out Grove for the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation. The team is expected to use a six-man rotation, or at least a variation of one, and Grove figures to be in the mix there, perhaps in a bulk relief role. The Dodgers could just mix-and-match in the sixth spot until Walker Buehler (elbow) and/or Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) are ready.

Stone is likely to open the season as the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stone earned the rotation spot with an impressive Cactus League performance which saw him yield just one run with a 9:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings of work. The 25-year-old was knocked around last season with the Dodgers, posting a 9.00 ERA and 22:13 K:BB across 31 frames. However, Stone is a former top prospect who collected a 32.6 percent strikeout rate in the minors. He should be better equipped for success in the big leagues in 2024 and makes for a fine late-round fantasy option.

Cobb (hip) struck out five over two hitless innings in a minor-league game Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cobb threw 18 of his 27 pitches for strikes in what was his first game appearance since he had left hip surgery last October. The veteran right-hander's next outing figures to come during Cactus League play next week. A timetable for Cobb rejoining the Giants' rotation isn't clear yet, but a return before the end of April is looking distinctly possible.

Keller underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery over the offseason, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Keller dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms on a couple occasions last season while with the Royals and evidently at some point opted for surgery. He inked a minor-league deal with the White Sox last week and "threw the ball really well" during a recent live batting practice session, per manager Pedro Grifol. Keller is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte but could become an option for Chicago's rotation before long.

Nastrini has allowed just one run over seven innings this spring as he attempts to win a spot in the White Sox' rotation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Nastrini has permitted just two hits and two walks over those seven frames, recording nine strikeouts along the way. Acquired from the Dodgers at last year's trade deadline, Nastrini is not on the 40-man roster, but the White Sox have at least one rotation spot up for grabs and the 24-year-old is in the running. He'll get another start Sunday versus the Athletics as he continues to state his case.