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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Spring debut could come Thursday
Freeman (ankle) could make his Cactus League debut Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Freeman has been brought along slowly in Dodgers camp following December surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle, but he's progressing well. The veteran first baseman will get some at-bats in a minor-league game Monday and is tracking toward his first official spring training action later this week. Freeman is expected to be ready to go for the Dodgers' season-opening two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19.
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Ian Anderson RP | ATL
Braves' Ian Anderson: Bumpy start to rotation battle
Anderson gave up one run on one hit and three walks over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out one.
The right-hander seemed to have the most trouble with his changeup, bouncing a number of them in front of the plate, but one shaky outing in February isn't a big concern. Anderson's fastball velocity was in the low 90s, which is usually where he sits early in the spring per David O'Brien of The Athletic, and considering he's out of minor-league options, the 26-year-old would likely have to pitch his way out of a spot in the Opening Day rotation. If Anderson does completely fall apart in camp, Bryce Elder, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver would be the most likely candidates to get a look in his place.
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Bobby Miller RP | LAD
Dodgers' Bobby Miller: Cleared to resume throwing
Miller (head) will resume throwing Monday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Miller has been shut down and in concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a line drive during his first Cactus League appearance last week. However, he managed to avoid a serious injury and has been cleared to ramp his throwing back up. It's not clear when Miller might be ready for appear in a game again. Miller is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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Paul Blackburn RP | NYY
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Path clearing for rotation spot
Blackburn (back) may be ticketed for a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Blackburn will need to prove that he's healthy himself, of course, but Frankie Montas (lat) was already expected to be sidelined into May, so the Mets' rotation depth is being tested early. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson are the only locks for starting jobs right now, with Blackburn, Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill competing for the remaining spots, but if New York sticks with its plan to use a six-man rotation, there would be room for all three. The Mets have three off days in the first 15 days of their schedule however, so they could delay those plans until mid-April. Blackburn underwent spinal surgery in October, but he's throwing live batting practice sessions in camp and is on track to be ready for Opening Day.
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Griffin Canning RP | SD
Mets' Griffin Canning: Odds of rotation spot improving
Canning appears likely to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Frankie Montas (lat) was already expected to be sidelined into May, so the Mets' rotation depth is being tested early. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson are the only locks for starting jobs right now, with Canning, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn (back) competing for the remaining spots, but if New York sticks with its plan to use a six-man rotation, there would be room for all three. The Mets have three off days in the first 15 days of their schedule however, so they could delay those plans until mid-April.
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Tylor Megill SP | NYM
Mets' Tylor Megill: Rotation spot more secure
Megill appears likely to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Frankie Montas (lat) was already expected to be sidelined into May, so the Mets' rotation depth is being tested early. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson are the only locks for starting jobs right now, with Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn (back) competing for the remaining spots, but if New York sticks with its plan to use a six-man rotation, there would be room for all three. The Mets have three off days in the first 15 days of their schedule however, so they could delay those plans until mid-April.
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Dustin May SP | MIL
Dodgers' Dustin May: Tosses scoreless frame Sunday
May allowed one hit and struck out one batter over one scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League game against San Diego.
It was a successful return to game action for May, who missed all of last season while rehabbing from the right elbow surgery he underwent in July of 2023. The fireballer had resumed throwing off a mound last summer but had his progress halted when he needed throat surgery for an esophageal tear in July. May now appears to be back to full health, and he could either win a spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation or open the campaign as part of the team's bullpen.
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Tom Murphy C | SF
Giants' Tom Murphy: Herniated disk in back
Murphy has been diagnosed with a mid-back disk herniation and is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Murphy was given an epidural injection and will be re-evaluated in a few weeks. The 33-year-old entered camp as the favorite to be the Giants' backup catcher behind Patrick Bailey, but now Sam Huff and Max Stassi will compete for that gig. The Giants have also promoted Adrian Sugastey from the minor-league side of camp to supplement their catching depth.
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Tyler Fitzgerald CF | LAD
Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald: Cleared for full activities
Fitzgerald (back) has been cleared for full baseball activities and is expected to be ready for Cactus League games by this weekend, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Fitzgerald developed a lower-back injury early on in camp but has been progressing well since then. The 27-year-old will do some hitting and field grounders Monday and should be ready for game action in a few days. He's projected to open the season as the Giants' regular second baseman.
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Heliot Ramos RF | NYY
Giants' Heliot Ramos: Expected to resume hitting Thursday
Ramos (oblique) will throw Monday and likely resume hitting Thursday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
The young outfielder tweaked his oblique while dodging a pitch during a recent live batting practice session. If that all goes well this week, Ramos should be ready for his Cactus League debut March 4. He has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks.