MLB Player News

Cabrera (blister) will throw a bullpen session Monday ahead of a simulated game Wednesday, Justin Morris of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander last pitched in a Grapefruit League game March 13 before being shut down due to a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Cabrera is aiming for a mid-April return to the rotation, and he likely won't need too many outings to build back up for the regular season -- he threw 51 pitches, albeit only 24 of them for strikes, on March 7 in the spring start prior to developing the blister.

Boyd allowed three runs on six hits across 5.2 innings in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Athletics. He walked one and struck out three.

It was an uneven start for Boyd, who served up a pair of Oakland home runs. However, the veteran southpaw also had his longest outing of the spring, which is a positive step for a player who has dealt with numerous injuries the past few years. Boyd is in line to serve as the Cubs' No. 4 starter this season and projects to make his debut next Sunday against the Diamondbacks on the road. If healthy, he could be a sneaky fantasy option, though Chicago will likely monitor the 34-year-old's workload closely.

Harrington is not expected to be included on the Pirates' Opening Day roster and is set to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After Jared Jones went down with an elbow injury last week that could result in an extended absence, Harrington appeared to be the leading contender to fill his spot in the rotation. Harrington, who will make his final spring start Monday versus the Twins, has posted a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB in 6.2 innings through his first three Grapefruit League outings, but the Pirates seemingly aren't keen on starting up his MLB service clock just yet. Instead, with Carmen Mlodzinski getting stretched out to three innings in his most recent spring outing, the Pirates could elect to use him as a bulk reliever or starter when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up.

The Phillies will attempt to trade Kennedy before Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy did not make the Opening Day roster, but the club has received trade interest in the 26-year-old and will attempt to swing a deal. If a trade doesn't come to fruition, Kennedy will be designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options.

The Phillies informed Clemens on Monday that he has made the Opening Day roster, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Clemens nabbed the final bench spot over Buddy Kennedy after posting an .857 OPS with two home runs this spring. He will be used mostly in a pinch-hitting role while providing backup at multiple positions.

Smith-Shawver is expected to begin the season in the Atlanta rotation, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

With Ian Anderson traded to the Angels on Sunday and Bryce Elder optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith-Shawver is the last man standing in camp for the fifth starter job. The 22-year-old right-hander earned the assignment by posting a 20:5 K:BB through 16 Grapefruit League innings, and that strikeout potential gives him significant fantasy upside with a potent Atlanta offense at his back. Smith-Shawver will need to out-perform Grant Holmes to stay in the rotation once Spencer Strider (elbow) is cleared for his 2025 debut, however.

Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list.

Burleson is in line to split playing time at first base and designated hitter with Willson Contreras, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The downstream effect of Victor Scott winning the center field job will create a playing time crunch for Nolan Gorman, but it appears Burleson's at-bats, at least against right-handed pitching, are secure. Burleson slashed .292/.341/.464 versus right-handed pitching last season.

Gorman's playing time could be reduced as a result of Victor Scott being named the Cardinals' starting center fielder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With the club committing to Scott in center field, that means Lars Nootbaar will primarily play left field and Brendan Donovan will receive the bulk of his starts at second base. That leaves the designed hitter spot for Gorman, but it sounds like Alec Burleson will be the priority there. Gorman should still see some starts versus right-handed pitching, but he will not be in the lineup regularly. The 24-year-old finished with a .671 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate last season and has a .553 OPS this spring.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Liberatore will receive "a long runway to figure out what he can do" in the rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals will operate with a modified six-man rotation at the beginning of the season, with Liberatore part of it and Steven Matz pitching in relief for now before making a start on April 16. Michael McGreevy nearly won a rotation spot and looms at Triple-A Memphis, but it sounds as if Liberatore will be given a long leash in the rotation. The left-hander has a career 3.89 ERA as a reliever versus a 5.86 ERA as a starter.