MLB Player News

Texas manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged Wednesday that Eovaldi (side) is likely to be on a restrictive pitch count to start the season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The reports indicates a pitch count for both Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom (side) in the 75 to 80 range, which roughly translates to five innings. In that event, Dane Dunning, Glenn Otto or Cole Ragans could act as a piggyback option. Eovaldi recently returned to game action, firing off a couple of innings against Double-A hitters.

Dunning allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six over five shutout innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Royals.

Since getting rocked as a reliever in his Cactus League debut, Dunning has been superb in subsequent outings. In three starts, the right-hander has allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 13 over 12 innings. Despite the good numbers, Dunning is on the outside of the Rangers' projected rotation, which includes newcomers Jacob deGrom (side), Nathan Eovaldi (side) and Andrew Heaney. He's setting himself up to be the top fill-in starter and possibly a piggyback option for deGrom and Eovaldi, both of whom Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said may be on restrictive pitch counts to open the season, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Rangers also have a long man in Jake Odorizzi, but an arm issue means he won't be ready by Opening Day.

Cavalli was diagnosed Thursday with a Grade 3 sprain of his right ulnar collateral ligament and will require Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Cavalli injured his elbow during his most recent Grapefruit League outing and an MRI revealed the bad news. The top prospect had been set to open the 2023 campaign in the Nationals' rotation but now figures to be sidelined until around midseason next year. Chad Kuhl appears likely to slide into the rotation spot vacated by Cavalli.

Paxton will undergo testing on his injured hamstring Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

If he's cleared to return after Friday's exam, Paxton will begin throwing bullpen sessions. He's one of three possible rotation members expected to open the season on the injured list. Garrett Whitlock (hip) made his spring debut Wednesday and Brayan Bello (forearm) is expected to follow shortly.

Whitlock (hip) walked one and struck out three over two scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Whitlock looked impressive in his spring debut following rehab from hip surgery. While he pitched in relief Wednesday, following five strong innings from Corey Kluber, the right-hander is expected to be a starter in 2023. Whitlock will not be ready for the opening series and could miss up to two April starts, but the positives of his Grapefruit League debut outweigh a couple of missed cold-weather starts.

Kluber allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Rays.

On the day Kluber was named Boston's Opening Day starter, the right-hander authored the best of his four Grapefruit League outings. The 36-year-old commented on the progression he's made since the first outing, noting his ability to command pitches and throw them for strikes, per CJ Haddad of MLB.com. Kluber has allowed three runs on 13 hits and five walks while striking out 14 over 12.2 spring innings.

Contreras will be in the rotation for the entire 2023 season, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Contreras spent the majority of the 2022 season in Pittsburgh, but he was used inconsistently. Despite pitching out of the rotation for much of the campaign, he was limited to fewer than five innings in 10 of his 21 appearances. Even so, between Triple-A Indianapolis and his work in the majors, Contreras complied 129.1 frames, so he could reasonably throw as many as 150 innings in 2023 so long as he maintains his health.

Hamels (shoulder) has looked better than expected in throwing sessions and the Padres are hopeful he can be an option for them around midseason, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hamels agreed to a minor-league contract with the Friars in mid-February and is being eased back into things this spring following all of the missed time due to shoulder issues. The veteran left-hander appears to be healthy now, though, and has apparently surprised the team by how well he's been throwing. Hamels figures to stay in extended spring training for a while before joining a minor-league affiliate to make some starts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday that Gonsolin (ankle) has started throwing, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Gonsolin has started playing long toss and was able to throw from 120 feet Tuesday in Arizona. The right-hander is dealing with an ankle sprain significant enough to potentially cost him the start of the 2023 season. It's a positive sign he's resumed throwing, however, and there should be further updates on Gonsolin's status in the coming days.

Sanchez was recently shut down with left triceps soreness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies have dealt with injury trouble from several of their arms this spring, and Sanchez's triceps soreness is the latest that will test the team's pitching depth. The team hasn't provided an official timeline for how long the left-hander will be shut down from throwing, but the timing of his injury this late in spring training could hurt his chances of making the Opening Day roster.