MLB Player News

Bundy threw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Bundy is in the process of getting stretched out after just landing a minor-league contract from the Mets this past Saturday. He should be able to slide into the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse sometime in mid-to-late April and will function as organizational starting depth for New York in 2023.

Carrasco (elbow) threw 70 pitches Tuesday in a minor-league game, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Carrasco was scratched from a minor-league start last week due to what was called "elbow maintenance." There doesn't seem to be much -- if any -- concern around the veteran right-hander, who is lined up to make his first regular-season start for the Mets next Monday at the Brewers.

Williams will start the Nationals' fourth regular-season game next Monday against the Rays, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll follow Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore in the Nats' season-opening starting rotation. Williams signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Washington over the winter after posting a steady 3.21 ERA and 84:23 K:BB across 89.2 innings (nine starts, 21 relief appearances) last year for the Mets. He could carry fantasy streaming appeal in the right matchups.

Gore will start the Nationals' third game of the regular season Sunday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

It'll be Patrick Corbin on Opening Day, Josiah Gray in the second game, Gore in the third and Trevor Williams in the fourth. Gore wrapped up his spring with 3.2 scoreless innings Tuesday afternoon against the Yankees, issuing two walks but striking out four. He still carries a lot of long-term upside at age 24, but the former top prospect still has a lot to prove as he finally debuts in Washington.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Tuesday that Oviedo will open the season in the starting rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Shelton revealed that news during Tuesday's spring finale against the Twins, just as Oviedo was finishing up a strong five-inning outing during which he struck out seven hitters. The 25-year-old will be filling in for JT Brubaker (forearm) initially, but he has a chance to stick around long term if he shows well out of the gate. Oviedo posted an encouraging 3.23 ERA in seven starts down the stretch last season with the Pirates after being acquired from the Cardinals. If he can improve his command, there might be fantasy streaming appeal in favorable matchups.

Gaddis is scheduled to start the Guardians' second game of the season Friday versus the Mariners in Seattle, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gaddis appeared poised to open the season in a long-relief role, but he'll end up moving into Cleveland's rotation as a replacement for Triston McKenzie (shoulder), who could be sidelined for up to eight weeks. Gaddis has piled up a good number of strikeouts in the minors, but he's struggled against lefties and with keeping the ball in the yard. Fantasy managers should probably look in another direction.

Walker said Tuesday that his goal is to reach 180 innings this season, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

That would be a career-high workload for the 30-year-old right-hander, who finished at 157.1 innings with the Mets in 2022. The velocity readings have been down on Walker's entire arsenal this spring, but maybe that's by design as he aims to be more efficient. He signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies back in December and has been working with pitching coach Caleb Cotham on a plan to induce softer contact.

Bubic will open the season as the Royals' No. 5 starter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

A spot opened up with Daniel Lynch (shoulder) going down and Bubic was the obvious replacement to step in. The left-hander has been a disappointment at the major-league level, most recently posting a 5.58 ERA over 129 innings in 2022. He's not a desired fantasy target.

Lauer posted a 11.57 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 11.2 innings over four appearances this spring.

Lauer had a rough go of it this spring, but he was hit hard in the exhibition season in both 2021 and 2022 and righted the ship when the regular season got underway, so there may not be as much cause for concern as it appears.

Gaddis is expected to move into the Guardians' rotation to replace the injured Triston McKenzie (shoulder), Mandy Bell and Jesus Cano of MLB.com report.

Gaddis had been projected for a bullpen role, but it should be a seamless transition since he's still stretched out from spring training. The right-hander pitched well during Cactus League play with a 2.77 ERA and 17:3 K:BB over 13 innings. Gaddis was much less successful in two spot starts for Cleveland in 2022 (18.41 ERA), but he struck out 158 across 121.1 frames between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. With McKenzie potentially sidelined for two months, Gaddis could get a long look in the rotation.