MLB Player News

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Olson (abdomen) is day-to-day after he underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed no strain, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson will likely be sidelined for a few days while he recovers from abdominal soreness, but the encouraging results from the MRI should be enough for him to steer clear of an extended absence. The left-hander is expected to open the season at Triple-A Toledo, and he should be able to get in some appearances in the Grapefruit League if he experiences no setbacks once he resumes throwing.

Marquez (hamstring) threw a two-inning live batting practice Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez has been dealing with soreness in his left hamstring, but after facing hitters Tuesday, the right-hander could be ready for Cactus League action "within days." At this point, Marquez looks in little danger of missing any time during the regular season, but fantasy managers will want to keep track of his progress over the next few weeks of spring training.

Skubal (elbow) is completing his throwing progression and playing catch five times a week, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Skubal is still expected to miss the first couple months of the season, but his steady progression bodes well for a return near the start of June. The left-hander was as good as anyone in Detroit's rotation in 2022, producing a 3.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with a 8.9 K/9 over 117.2 innings in 21 starts. He figures to take another step up in 2023 if he can return to full health this summer.

Kluber allowed two hits and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring game against Miami.

Kluber was the first member of Boston's projected rotation to take the hill and worked around a pair of hits, including a leadoff double in the second inning. He threw 26 pitches (18 strikes) in what looked like a routine outing for the 36-year-old veteran. "He went through his progression, threw strikes, got weak contact," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "Now we'll move on to the next one." According to Browne, Kluber's next start is scheduled for Sunday, when he'll throw three innings.

Davies allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring game against the White Sox.

Davies was the first member of the projected rotation to debut in the Cactus League. The right-hander made 27 starts for the Diamondbacks last season, posting a respectable 4.09 ERA over 134.1 innings, which was aided by a low BABIP (.257). The 30-year-old doesn't overpower hitters and won't strike out many. He currently projects as fourth in the rotation behind Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly (who starts Friday) and Madison Bumgarner.

Steele (arm) is expected to make his Cactus League debut sometime this weekend, Tony Andracki of the Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start this past Sunday due to arm soreness, but he made it through a bullpen session without issue Tuesday in Cubs camp. As long as everything goes more smoothly from this point forward, the 27-year-old left-hander should be ready to open the 2023 campaign as a mid-rotation starter on the North Side of Chicago.

Chandler was told by the Pirates on Monday that he will work exclusively as a pitcher this year, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Chandler was selected as a two-way player in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, but the Pirates want him to focus solely on his mound work in 2023 after he struggled to a .184/.284/.290 batting line in 32 games (88 plate appearances) last summer at Low-A Bradenton. He posted a 2.61 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 41.1 innings between Bradenton and the rookie-level Florida Coast League.

Paxton (lat) was singled out by Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday as someone who has impressed so far in camp, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Paxton hasn't made an appearance yet this spring but, at least according to his skipper, he has looked good in throwing sessions. The veteran left-hander has made just six major-league starts and one rehab start over the last three years because of various injuries, with the most recent one being a lat strain. He'll obviously remain a major health question mark in 2023, but it's good to hear positives about Paxton coming out of Red Sox camp.

Walker is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Tigers, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies back in December and is now set for his first sort of close-up with the reigning National League champions. The 30-year-old right-hander worked to a solid 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 132:45 K:BB across 157.1 regular-season innings (29 starts) with the Mets last season.

Fried gave up two hits and struck out four without walking anyone over two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Facing a Toronto lineup mostly made up of minor leaguers, Fried didn't have much trouble carving it up in his first game action of the spring. The 29-year-old southpaw is coming off an impressive 2022 campaign that included a career-best 4.4 percent walk rate, and he's in the mix to take the mound Opening Day for Atlanta.