MLB Player News

Rodriguez allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits across five innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He walked one and struck out three.

This was Rodriguez's least effective start this spring, as he had allowed a total of just two earned runs across seven innings in his previous two outings. The lefty is still looking solid in camp with a 3.75 ERA and should slot in as the Tigers' ace this season. Working in a pitcher-friendly home ballpark, Rodriguez could be poised for good results in his first season with Detroit.

Miley (neck) could be skipped in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, potentially not making his debut until April 16 at Colorado, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Miley profiles as the team's No. 3 starter as the season moves along, but he could operate as the fifth starter in the early going due to his delayed start to camp. That could mean the veteran sticks in Arizona to get in some extra work while his teammates head to Chicago for the first series of the year, where a No. 5 pitcher won't be needed. The 35-year-old would then join up with them for the first road trip. This would allow Miley extra time to ramp up before potentially starting April 16 at Coors Field.

Hendricks allowed four runs on four hits across three innings in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He walked one and struck out five.

The five strikeouts were nice, but Hendricks otherwise struggled, as he allowed two home runs and saw his spring ERA climb to 9.00 through three starts. The righty's career track record suggests that he should be fine once the regular season begins, though last year's career-worst 4.77 ERA might put a damper on his outlook a little bit. Fantasy managers will want to see Hendricks start off 2022 on a positive note to feel a bit more comfortable about his prospects.

Webb was officially named the Giants' Opening Day starter Monday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

It's been quite a quick rise for the 25-year-old righty, who wasn't particularly highly thought of heading into last season but finished the year with a 3.03 ERA. That number was backed by the rare combination of an elite 60.9 percent groundball rate and an above-average 26.5 percent strikeout rate. Webb will take the ball April 8 at home against Miami and will be lined up to take the ball the following week against the Padres, also at home.

The Tigers optioned Garcia to Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

Garcia was one of four relievers cut from big-league camp Monday as the Tigers look to pare down their bullpen ahead of Opening Day. The demotion to the minors doesn't come as a major surprise after Garcia turned in a 7.55 ERA and 1.86 WHIP across 39.1 innings with the big club in 2021.

Castillo (shoulder) will open the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Castillo has been battling shoulder soreness this spring. Reports from last week indicated that he might have a tough time getting ready by Opening Day, and that's now been officially confirmed. He's been going through a throwing progression and is expected to return sometime in April, but he'll miss at least a turn or two in the rotation to start the year. His absence, as well as the absence of Mike Minor (shoulder), could give rookies Hunter Greene or Nick Lodolo the chance to break camp in the rotation.

Lodolo is still battling for an Opening Day roster spot and slot in the rotation, as is fellow prospect Hunter Greene, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

If that last spot comes down to Greene vs. Lodolo, Greene has an advantage by being on the 40-man roster. However, it's possible that both pitchers make it, as only the top two spots in the rotation are currently settled with both Luis Castillo and Mike Minor not ready for Opening Day. Other options include Reiver Sanmartin, Ben Lively and Tony Santillan.

Greene has worked hard to improve his changeup, enough to the point where he's willing to throw it on a first pitch to a batter in a plate appearance, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Greene still has a chance to make the Reds' rotation out of spring training, instead of beginning the season at Triple-A Louisville as initially anticipated. He and Nick Lodolo both could make it, now that Luis Castillo and Mike Minor will not be ready to start the season.

Oviedo was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Oviedo made 14 appearances (13 starts) for the Cardinals in 2021, but he'll be left off the team's Opening Day roster this year. He posted a 6.13 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 54.1 innings across 12 appearances (11 starts) in Memphis last season and should be a candidate to fill in as a starter in the majors at some point in 2022.

The Rangers reassigned Arihara to minor-league camp Monday.

Along with Brandon Workman and Nick Tropeano, Arihara was one of three Rangers pitchers with prior MLB experience who was reassigned Monday. After agreeing to a two-year, $6.2 million deal with Texas last offseason, Arihara made 10 starts for the big club and submitted a 6.64 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 40.2 innings before being removed from the 40-man roster in September.