MLB Player News

The Orioles have named Rogers their Opening Day starter.

Rogers will face the Twins and presumably Joe Ryan on March 26. After struggling following his midseason acquisition from the Marlins in the summer of 2024, Rogers was great in 18 starts last season, posting a 9-3 record, 1.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 103:29 K:BB across 109.2 innings. It will obviously be difficult for Rogers to replicate those numbers, but he's more than earned the nod for Opening Day.

Priester (wrist) said Friday that he's hoping to be ready to pitch in games by "late April, May," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It appears to be a very rough target for his 2026 debut, with Priester admitting the late April/early May timeline he offered was "on the optimistic side." The right-hander has been diagnosed with a nerve issue related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has led to pain in his wrist. Priester indicated Friday that the vascular specialist in Dallas who diagnosed his injury told him he had the least severe of three different TOS-associated issues and it could likely be treated without surgery. Priester is still able to throw on flat ground and has a bullpen session scheduled for March 21.

Bieber (forearm) will continue throwing from flat ground over the next several days and will be reevaluated late next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bieber has yet to progress to mound work this spring, and he'll need to wait before being cleared to ramp up his throwing program. The Blue Jays have been cautious with Bieber's return to the mound after he dealt with forearm fatigue last season in his return from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. Bieber has already been ruled out for Opening Day, and he'll likely need at least six weeks to build up once he's ready to start building up.

McKenzie has averaged 95.7 mph with his four-seamer this spring, which is up a full two mph from last season, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

McKenzie has never reached 97 mph in a major-league game before, but he topped that mark 10 times in his last Cactus League appearance and peaked at 98.8 mph. The righty gained a bit of weight over the offseason and also pitched in winter ball for the first time, but he admitted to having "no idea" where the extra velocity is coming from. Unfortunately, McKenzie's results this spring have not been as encouraging as his velocity uptick, as he's been tagged for six runs with a 6:7 K:BB over 4.1 innings. McKenzie is in camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for a spot in the Padres' rotation. He seems to be on the outside looking in for now, but he'll have another chance to improve his standing with an appearance Friday versus the Athletics. McKenzie -- who has a June opt-out clause in his contract -- has a 5.46 ERA over 24 appearances (20 starts) at the big-league level since 2023.

Berrios will have an in-person visit with a doctor Tuesday to evaluate his elbow inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Dr. Keith Meister has viewed Berrios' MRI, but the veteran right-hander will meet with the specialist in person to determine the best course of action. Berrios dealt with elbow inflammation and a biceps issue down the stretch last season. The 31-year-old has started three games this spring, registering a 3.38 ERA and 7:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings.

Schoolcraft hopes to make 22 starts in his first pro season with the Padres, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

A former two-way player who will be strictly a left-handed starting pitcher in pro ball, Schoolcraft put on a show Monday in an intrasquad game, sitting 94-96 mph with his fastball and striking out four of the 13 batters he faced. Schoolcraft has good athleticism and a smooth delivery for a 6-foot-8 hurler, and he has a sky-high ceiling -- his fastball plays up thanks to his elite extension, and he already has a plus changeup he can land for strikes. He will open the year at Single-A Lake Elsinore and could get a taste of High-A in the Midwest League before season's end.

Moniak (illness) is starting at designated hitter and batting third in Friday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Moniak was unavailable for a few days because he was under the weather, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Friday. The 27-year-old has had an excellent spring for the Rockies, going 5-for-15 with two home runs, one stolen base and a 4:3 BB:K. Moniak is slated for regular work at least against right-handed pitching this season.

Chandler struck out eight batters over five innings of one-run ball Thursday against Atlanta. He allowed one hit and one walk.

Chandler struggled mightily at the beginning of spring training, but he rounded into form and then some in Thursday's exhibition. He threw his four-seam fastball 74 percent of the time, averaging 98.2 mph and generating whiffs at a 34 percent clip with the pitch. Chandler also got plenty of whiffs on his changeup (three on four pitches) and slider (two of five), but he was clearly focused on dominating with his fastball in this one. He still has a 22.4 percent walk rate and 1.45 WHIP in 11 innings this spring, however.

Bubic allowed two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Padres. He struck out four.

Bubic delivered another solid spring effort, keeping the opposition off the scoreboard for a second straight appearance. Through three outings and eight innings in Cactus League play, the southpaw has allowed one run on nine hits and three walks. After posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 20 starts and 116.1 innings last season before a left rotator cuff strain ended his campaign prematurely, Bubic will look to maintain his health and deliver strong results out of the Royals' rotation in 2026.

Cabrera (ankle) is starting in right field and batting sixth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Cabrera made his spring debut last week, which was his first game action since undergoing surgery to repair a fracture and ligament damage to his left ankle last May. He's gone 0-for-4 with a walk in his three Grapefruit League games thus far. Cabrera is competing for a bench role on the Yankees' Opening Day roster.