MLB Player News

Wainwright will start Sunday's semifinal game for Team USA against Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Wainwright started the first game of the WBC for Team USA against Great Britain, and allowed one run over his four innings of work. A victory for USA would see the team advance to the finals of the tournament for the second straight appearance, with the winner facing the victor of the semifinal game between Mexico and Japan.

Paxton (hamstring) threw 25 pitches off the mound Saturday in a bullpen session, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Paxton told Browne after the session that he felt good, and wasn't thinking about his hamstring at all. It's a positive sign for the southpaw, who has not been able to pitch this spring while recovering from a right hamstring strain. The next step for Paxton is to face live hitting, and then hopefully the 34-year-old will get a chance to pitch in a Grapefruit League game before the exhibition season ends. It's still very likely Paxton will open the season on the injured list.

Liberatore allowed one run in five innings Saturday in a Grapefruit League start against the Tigers.

Liberatore struck out six against one walk, and he allowed just three hits in the impressive effort. "That's the best I've ever seen him, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told reporters after the outing. "Not even close." The only run allowed by Liberatore came on a solo home run by Spencer Torkelson. The southpaw is currently battling for one of the final spots in the St. Louis rotation, and another effort like this will give Marmol a difficult decision at least.

Lucchesi was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Saturday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Lucchesi is being stretched out as a starter, and the left-hander will get a chance to pitch in the Syracuse rotation. A good showing at that level could see him making starts for a New York rotation that is not exactly filled with healthy options right now, but he can be left off fantasy rosters at this stage.

Manning tossed 3.2 scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four.

Manning has mostly struggled this spring with a 9.00 ERA across 10 innings, but he looked better Friday. The righty should still begin the year in Detroit's rotation, likely as the team's fourth starter. He had a solid 3.43 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 63 innings last season, though he only struck out 48 batters, and his inability to miss bats could limit his fantasy ceiling.

Wesneski allowed four runs on four hits across 3.1 innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He walked two and struck out six.

Wesneski entered the game with a 0.00 ERA this spring but endured his first Cactus League rough patch. The six strikeouts are still promising, giving the righty 17 of them across 12 innings. Wesneski has emerged as the top candidate to be the Cubs' fifth starter, and he could be a sneaky fantasy option if he secures the job and continues to pitch well.

Alcantara allowed just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings Saturday in a Grapefruit League outing against the Nationals.

Alcantara walked two and struck out five in an impressive outing for the 2022 Cy Young winner, as he made his return from the WBC. The right-hander now has a 0.87 ERA during his time in the Grapefruit League, and he has shown no signs that he won't be a strong fantasy option again in 2023. He'll likely make one more spring start before an Opening Day outing March 30 against the Mets.

Rodriguez was charged for five runs -- two earned -- over 3.2 innings of work Saturday in a Grapefruit League start against the Red Sox.

Rodriguez wasn't helped by his defense, but he allowed six hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts. The 22-year-old now has a 5.56 ERA in spring training, but Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports the Orioles very much want Rodriguez to be a part of their Opening Day rotation. With his ability to miss bats, fantasy managers should still be interested in making him a part of their roster.

Wright (shoulder) told reporters that he's scheduled to start Monday's Grapefruit League game the Rays, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Wright has been able to face hitters, as Toscano notes, but this will be his first appearance in a spring training game in 2023. The right-hander was one of the biggest surprises in baseball last year with 21 wins, but he received a cortisone injection in January in his right shoulder and has been behind schedule. Assuming good health through the rest of camp, Wright should be ready to roll for the regular season, but he may not get a chance to pitch until the second series of the campaign.

Cortes allowed five runs in 3.2 innings of work Saturday in his Grapefruit League debut against the Blue Jays.

Cortes allowed three walks and three hits while striking out four. He allowed two homers in the contest, and he threw 35 of 52 pitches for strikes. The line is unimpressive, but the big takeaway is that Cortes was able to get back on the bump after missing the first few weeks of the Grapefruit League because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He'll likely pitch again next week, and he appears to be well on his way to being a part of the Opening Day rotation.