MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Wheeler (shoulder) could "possibly" be ready to join the major-league rotation in about six weeks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler threw a 21-pitch bullpen session at 80-85 percent effort Thursday, marking the first time he's thrown off a mound since he had surgery last September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. The hurler said afterward that, "I felt good, I felt smooth, natural." Six weeks from Thursday would be April 9, and the Phillies are idle that day, but any timeline at this juncture for Wheeler is just an estimate. The veteran righty is unsure whether he will pitch in a Grapefruit League game this spring, noting that "I don't even know when my next bullpen is." The Phillies will tread carefully with the three-time All-Star, but his recovery has gone as well as could be expected to this point.

Yorke added significant muscle over the offseason and also tweaked his swing in order to create more loft, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Yorke worked out for three-and-a-half hours per day on a near-daily basis over the offseason to remake his body and add strength. It's already shown up in his spring training results, too, as he's gone 4-for-11 at the plate in the early going. During Tuesday's game versus the Red Sox, he hit two balls in excess of 110 mph. Yorke is competing for a utility role with the Pirates.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza named Peralta the team's Opening Day starter Friday, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Peralta was the obvious choice after landing with the Mets via trade in January. The veteran right-hander logged a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 204:66 K:BB over 176.2 innings covering 33 regular-season starts for the Brewers in 2025. He will be matched up against Paul Skenes and the Pirates on March 26.

Liberatore struck out three over three innings of one-run ball in Thursday's Grapefruit League outing against the Astros.

The Astros had a split-squad lineup that didn't feature any regulars, so Liberatore's results should be taken with a grain of salt. He pitched well, though, picking up 10 swinging strikes on 51 pitches, which included one whiff on his new splitter. Liberatore has yielded just one run with a 7:1 K:BB in his first five innings this spring. The left-hander is lined up to take the ball Opening Day for the Cardinals versus the Rays.

Ashby tossed two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Rangers. He allowed three hits, walked one batter and struck out none.

Ashby was not particularly sharp in his spring debut, but he was able to keep the opponent off the scoreboard. He started Thursday's contest and per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com has not officially been ruled out of the rotation mix, but the southpaw has started only three games over the last two seasons, so he will likely remain in the bullpen. If Ashby does make any starts during the regular season it will likely be as an opener -- something he did three times last postseason.

Black is 8-for-12 (.667) with a home run, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, three steals and a 1:2 BB:K through four games this spring.

Black has been on an absolute heater to open the exhibition season, both at the plate and on the basepaths. Once a top prospect, the 25-year-old's luster has faded in recent years, but he could still be part of the Brewers' future. He remains without a defensive position, and Christian Yelich is slated to be the primary designated hitter, but if Black stays hot he could force Milwaukee to get creative to find a spot for him on the 26-man roster.

Griffin (foot) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles.

Griffin was lifted from his last game Wednesday as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's fine. This is the top prospect's first Grapefruit League start since he swatted a pair of home runs Tuesday against the Red Sox. Griffin is competing for the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop gig.

Friedl started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's spring game against San Diego.

Friedl, who normally defends center field, moved to left field so that Dane Myers could play center. Reds manager Terry Francona talked to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com about the alignment, which could be deployed during the regular season against certain lefties. The manager praised Myers' defense in center and will try to get Friedl in left a few more times this spring, although the latter is expected to be the primary center fielder during the regular season. Friedl has appeared in three Cactus League games, going 3-for-8 with a walk and three RBI.

Burns allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Padres.

Burns' slider played well and his pitch count increased to 48 in his second Cactus League start, but his four-seamer was wayward. He threw just 26 strikes and fell behind against multiple batters. That includes the first at-bat of the third inning, when Rodolfo Duran took two four-seamers for balls before drilling a third for a home run. Burns remains in the hunt for the final spot in the rotation.

Fernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Fernandez homered for a second consecutive game, and all four of his Cactus League hits have gone for extra bases (.813 slugging). The 22-year-old, who hasn't played above the Double-A level, was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason. "We know there's still more growing he needs to do but driving baseballs the way he is ... we know he's been coming on quick and we're paying a lot of attention to him," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. A shortstop coming up through the system, Fernandez is also seeing time at third base and has played three games there this spring.