MLB Player News

Gallen will start Opening Day versus the Dodgers on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Gallen will toe the rubber at Chase Field as the Diamondbacks launch their season next week. The right-hander has evolved into Arizona's ace, producing a 2.54 ERA and microscopic 0.91 WHIP with 192 strikeouts over 184 innings in 31 starts with the team in 2022. If Gallen can take another step up in 2023, he'll elevate himself into the Cy Young conversation in the National League.

Bubic could join the Royals' rotation following an injury to Daniel Lynch (shoulder), Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch could potentially be sidelined for multiple weeks with a strained pitching shoulder. Bubic was dreadful for the Royals last season, holding a 5.58 ERA over 129 innings. The left-hander isn't someone fantasy managers want to be invested in.

Gore gave up two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out eight in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The southpaw was dominant against a New York lineup that featured most of its Opening Day starters, including Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres. Gore has a 17:7 K:BB through 20 innings this spring, and the Nationals will be counting on the 24-year-old to become a consistent rotation arm this season after he worked only 87 innings across all levels in 2022.

Lynch is expected to land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch suffered the injury during the Royals' Cactus League game against the Padres on Thursday. He will be shut down for 7-10 days before being re-evaluated. The injury opens up a spot in Kansas City's rotation, with Kris Bubic being the most likely candidate to fill it.

Valdez will start Opening Day versus the White Sox on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Valdez will toe the rubber for the Astros' season opener as they head to Chicago for the first weekend of the year. The left-hander skipped the WBC after he came to an agreement with Houston to do so and in turn, that likely made him the top choice to start Thursday. Valdez produced an impressive 2.82 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 201.1 innings in 31 starts last season, and he could step right into the Astros' ace role with Justin Verlander now a member of the Mets.

Snell will start Opening Day versus the Rockies on Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Joe Musgrove (toe) and Yu Darvish both unavailable, Snell will get the nod against Colorado. The left-hander rounded back into form last season after a disappointing first campaign with San Diego in 2021, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32.0 percent strikeout rate in 128 innings last year.

Mikolas agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Cardinals on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It will be tacked on to the $17 million he's making in 2023 in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract, so the Cards will now have Mikolas around through 2025. The 34-year-old right-hander made the All-Star team in 2022, holding a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB over 202.1 innings. Mikolas has a limited ceiling in fantasy due to his lack of strikeouts, but elite control and a superb defense behind him should give him a high floor in 2023.

Burnes will start Opening Day versus the Cubs on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

For a second straight year, Burnes will make an Opening Day start at Wrigley Field, with Marcus Stroman toeing the rubber for the other side. Although Burnes has been locked into a heated contract negotiation with the Brewers this offseason, it's unlikely that it'll affect his play on the mound. The right-hander produced a 2.94 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 243 strikeouts over 202 innings over 33 starts in 2022 and is one of the very best pitchers in the league.

Urias will be on the mound for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Urias will toe the rubber in the Dodgers' season opener in Arizona. The right-hander has seemingly supplanted Clayton Kershaw as the marquee starter in Los Angeles' rotation, and he'll look to try and match the remarkable 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP he produced in 2022.

Rodriguez will start for the Tigers on Opening Day versus the Rays, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez will be looking to shake off a 2022 campaign which saw him limited to just 17 starts because of injury and personal issues. The left-hander has been excellent this spring, spinning 13 scoreless innings with a 15:2 K:BB.