MLB Player News

Paxton (hamstring) played long toss and did some dry throwing from a mound Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

More specifically, Paxton went through his throwing motion but didn't actually throw a ball when he stepped on the mound. Paxton is progressing slowly but surely from a right hamstring strain, but it's not clear when he might be ready to face hitters or pitch in a game. He's expected to open the season on the injured list.

Senga (finger) threw a bullpen session without issue Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga is nursing some right index finger tendinitis but appears to be turning the corner in his recovery. It's unclear when he might be ready to return to Grapefruit League action, but the Mets anticipate their big offseason signing to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Suarez (forearm) did some light tossing on flat ground Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The left-hander had to be pulled out of the World Baseball Classic due to some minor tightness in his left forearm, but that he's throwing again after a couple days of treatment seems like a good sign. It's not clear when Suarez might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but the Phillies are hoping he'll be ready to go on Opening Day.

McCullers revealed Tuesday that he's dealing with a "strain of the forearm muscle, very low grade," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers added that doctors "were hesitant to even call it a strain." While a bit comforting that the right-hander's strain is minor, it's nonetheless worrisome that he's dealing with it again this spring after it bothered him for much of last season and during the playoffs in 2021. McCullers will play catch again at low intensity Wednesday as he's being ramped back up slowly. It seems a safe bet that he'll miss at least the first month or so of the season.

The Marlins optioned Sanchez (shoulder) to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sanchez has been throwing in camp as he works his way back from multiple shoulder surgeries, but he needs time. The hope is that he'll become an option for the Marlins' rotation at some point around midseason.

The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday,Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Rutledge pitched at Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022 but will make the jump to Harrisburg to start 2023. The first-round pick has been a disappointment so far in his three years of pro ball.

Washington optioned Irvin to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Irvin will head to Triple-A after splitting last season between High- and Double-A. He was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and could push for a debut at some point in 2023.

San Diego manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Darvish, who is currently pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, may not pitch in any Cactus League contests upon his return to the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Darvish made his spring pitching debut for Japan in the WBC on March 10, allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings. It's unclear how Japan's rotation lines up moving forward, but if Darvish doesn't throw in Thursday's quarterfinal contest against Italy early Thursday, he could potentially pitch in the semifinal or championship game, if Japan advances it that far. In such a scenario, the Padres could opt to rest him for the remainder of the spring slate, especially if they plan to put him on the mound for the team's Opening Day matchup versus Colorado on March 30. The WBC provides a much more competitive atmosphere than Cactus League exhibition contests, so Darvish's participation in the tournament could provide enough of a ramp-up to prepare him for the regular season.

Before he left Sunday's spring training start with calf cramps, Ashcraft was reaching 100 mph on his fastball and getting more swings-and-misses, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Despite a fastball that averaged 97.2 mph last year, Ashcraft managed only a 15.3 percent strikeout rate and 8.8 percent swinging strike percentage. Ashcraft already threw hard, so added velocity alone won't be sufficient to guarantee better results this season. However, the reports of added swings-and-misses before his calf cramp were promising.

Mikolas will pitch in relief Monday against Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was previously scheduled to start Wednesday against Colombia, but instead that honor will go to Merrill Kelly. Mikolas will instead piggyback with Lance Lynn against Canada in a game the United States realistically must win in order to stay alive in the tournament.