MLB Player News

Cavalli allowed three hits over five scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The right-hander was facing a lineup that featured only one likely Opening Day starter in rookie Carson Benge, but Cavalli didn't play down to his competition in his final start of the spring. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 47 of 71 pitches for strikes and topped out at 97.4 mph before losing a bit of steam in his final inning of work. Cavalli will take the mound for the Nationals on Opening Day against the Cubs as he looks to finally break through after being the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

The Blue Jays optioned Bloss (elbow) to Triple-A Buffalo on March 8.

Buffalo placed Bloss on its 60-day injured list Friday, a transaction that was merely a formality since the right-hander is expected to be out for more than two months to begin the season while he completes his rehab from the UCL surgery he underwent last May. If Bloss has a smooth recovery and is quickly able to regain his pre-surgery command and velocity, he could be a candidate for a late-season call-up to Toronto.

Manager Joe Espada said this weekend that Burrows (lower leg) will start the Astros' second game of the season Friday against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Burrows was lifted from his final Grapefruit League start Saturday against the Mets after 5.1 innings and 77 pitches and being drilled in the lower left leg by a comebacker, but his removal was seemingly precautionary. The right-hander is stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload and should face no restrictions next weekend in what will be his Astros debut. Burrows pitched to a 3.94 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 96 innings with Pittsburgh last season, but after securing just two victories in his 19 starts, he should have a better chance at capturing wins in 2026 while he's backed by a stronger Houston offense.

Bibee allowed eight runs on 10 hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against San Francisco.

Bibee retired the first six batters faced before running into the trouble the rest of the way. He allowed two home runs Saturday and five over his final two Cactus League starts. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 70 (49 strikes) in advance of his Opening Day start at Seattle.

Abbott allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox.

Abbott made his sixth and final Cactus League start before taking the mound Opening Day against the Red Sox. The good news is that the left-hander upped his pitch count to 84 (52 strikes), and he was better than his previous outing when he gave up eight runs on eight hits and three walks over two innings. He finished the spring having allowed home runs in all six of his outings with an 11.72 ERA, eight walks and 28 hits, but 22 strikeouts over 17.2 innings.

The Cardinals have informed Pushard that he will be on the Opening Day roster, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Pushard was slowed by illness early on in camp, but he's since rebounded and holds a 3.12 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 8.2 frames during Grapefruit League play. In order for the Cardinals to maintain his rights, Pushard must remain on the major-league roster or injured list the entire season, with at least 90 days spent on the active roster and not the IL. The 28-year-old is expected to fill a low-leverage role in the bullpen.

McCambley was returned to the Marlins on Sunday after being waived by the Phillies.

The right-hander was selected during the Rule 5 Draft in December but missed out on the Phillies' Opening Day roster after giving up one run with a 4:6 K:BB across 7.1 innings during spring training. McCambley finished last season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he had a 3.67 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 53:16 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Nelson allowed four hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against Texas.

Nelson finished out the Cactus League in style. The right-hander recorded a 3.18 ERA with 23 strikeouts and two walks over 17 spring innings. Nelson will look to carry the good work into his next scheduled start March 27, the second game of the regular season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Sanchez agreed to a six-year, $107 million contract extension with the Phillies on Sunday that includes a club option for 2033, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The new deal begins in 2027, so the left-hander will still make $3.5 million this season as part of the four-year, $21.5 million extension he signed in 2024, which still had a couple years remaining plus two team options. Sanchez has been named Philadelphia's Opening Day starter for Thursday's matchup with the Rangers after posting a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 212:44 K:BB across 32 regular-season starts last year.

Padres manager Craig Stammen confirmed Saturday that Buehler will make the team's Opening Day roster, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

This almost certainly means that Buehler will occupy a rotation spot at the outset of the campaign. The veteran right-hander earned the role with a strong spring, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning three starts. Buehler joined the organization on a minor-league deal in mid-February, so he'll need to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day.