MLB Player News

Gonsolin's left ankle is still swollen, but X-rays revealed there was no fracture, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Because of the swelling in Gonsolin's sprained ankle, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the right-hander won't throw for at least several more days. The good news is there's no structural damage, so it does appear Gonsolin has avoided a serious injury. Because of the missed time, however, there is a chance that the 28-year-old will not be ready for the start of the 2023 season, with Roberts going so far as to say he "doesn't feel good" about his chances.

Falter is likely to open the season as the Phillies' fifth starter with Andrew Painter (elbow) sidelined, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It is not yet known how long Painter might be sidelined, but he's certainly not going to be ready Opening Day, clearing the way for Falter to open as the team's No. 5 starter. Falter pitched well for Philadelphia last season, holding a 3.86 ERA and 74:17 K:BB over 84 innings, with 16 of his 20 appearances coming as a starter. The left-hander has an impressive minor-league track record as well, particularly when it comes to throwing strikes. Falter is more of a floor than ceiling play but could be worth using in deeper fantasy leagues while he's getting starts.

Painter has not been told surgery is needed on his ailing right elbow, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies keep pushing back the reveal of test results on Painter's elbow, which has raised some red flags. However, Zolecki has been informed by multiple sources that no one has been told the pitcher needs surgery, with one source saying "time is what is needed" for Painter's elbow to heal. Dr. Neal ElAttrache has been asked to review Painter's medical results after being unavailable for a few days, which could help explain why the team hasn't provided an update yet. Zolecki cautions that "nothing has been officially ruled out until the team receives final opinions from doctors," but it appears at this point Painter has avoided a worst-case scenario.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cortes (hamstring) will throw one more live batting practice session before making his spring debut, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cortes threw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, and Boone told reporters after the outing that the southpaw threw the ball well. The 28-year-old is set to face hitters once more in a controlled setting before likely making his Grapefruit League debut. Because of his hamstring injury, Cortes is expected to open the season as the Yankees' No. 5 starter, but it doesn't appear as though he'll lose out on any turns through the rotation as a result of the delayed start to his spring throwing progression.

Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Paxton (hamstring) hopes to resume throwing off a mound by the end of this week, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Paxton played catch Wednesday without issue and could be ready to test things out from a mound in a few days. The left-hander has been trending in the right direction since suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain last Friday, although he's not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (hip) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Whitlock still hasn't participated in fielding drills in the Grapefruit League, but the right-hander has been throwing off the mound and will face hitters again on Saturday. His status for Opening Day is still very much in doubt, but good showings on Saturday and his upcoming bullpens gives him a chance to return in the early part of April if there are no setbacks.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Bello (forearm) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Bello first started feeling soreness in his right forearm back in mid-February, although he's been pain-free for a while. The young right-hander is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, but being ready to face hitters means he's making real progress. He should be able to get in a Grapefruit League start or two before spring training ends.

Mikolas is scheduled to start for Team USA in Wednesday's World Baseball Classic game versus Colombia, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Mikolas got off to a good start in spring training, striking out six batters while walking one and allowed just two hits over five innings across two starts. He'll look to take his success to the international stage for a few weeks. The right-hander is a virtual lock for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation to begin the 2023 season after a solid 2022 in which he posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB across 202.1 innings.

Musgrove (toe) threw on flat ground Wednesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove didn't land on his left foot in order to protect his fractured big toe. He has been able to put some weight on the toe, however, and said he didn't feel any discomfort while doing so. Musgrove has been spending time in a hyperbaric chamber every day since suffering the injury in an attempt to speed up the recovery process. The initial projection has Musgrove missing at least his first two regular-season starts.

Cortes (hamstring) threw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The Yankees haven't provided an update on Cortes' next step, but if he's kept on his normal between-starts throwing schedule for the regular season, he could be a candidate to make his first start of the spring as soon as next Monday versus the Twins. Before exposing Cortes to pitching in an uncontrolled environment, it's possible the Yankees opt to have him throw another simulated game or pitch in a "B" game on the back fields of camp instead. Regardless, Cortes looks to be progressing well from the strained right hamstring that resulted in him opting out of the World Baseball Classic, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone has already suggested he anticipates the southpaw will be ready to go when the team requires a fifth starter in the first turn through the Opening Day rotation.