MLB Player News

Cecconi has resumed throwing, but won’t be ready in time for Opening Day. The 25-year-old righty came over from the Diamondbacks in the offseason Josh Naylor trade and was fighting to break camp in Cleveland’s starting rotation mix. His absence is a hit to the Guardians’ depth, but it does pretty much ensures that Luis L. Ortiz and Triston McKenzie are going to break camp in the big leagues.

Simpson walked twice and was an absolute menace on the basepaths in this one. He drew a leadoff walk in the opening frame before swiping both second and third base and racing home on an errant throw. The 24-year-old speedster, who had 104 thefts last year in the minors between High-A and Double-A, projects as an immediate impact fantasy contributor in the stolen base department. It feels like only a matter of time before Tampa Bay gives him a chance.

Teel has gone deep in back-to-back contests to open the minor league season and should arrive in Chicago as the club’s catcher of the future at some point around midseason, if not sooner. The 23-year-old backstop was the centerpiece of the offseason Garrett Crochet trade after reaching the doorstep of the big leagues by the end of last season.

Mathews walked three batters and only recorded one strikeout in his first regular-season start following an impressive spring performance in Cardinals camp. The 24-year-old southpaw is widely regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball after last year’s velocity spike led to a surge in strikeouts. He’ll most likely be pushing for a midseason promotion to join St. Louis’ starting rotation mix.

Lucas is the countermove with Max Scherzer going on the injured list. Lucas appeared twice out of the bullpen for Toronto last year after the club claimed him off waivers from the Tigers. The 28-year-old left-hander figures to occupy a spot in the bullpen until the Blue Jays need another starting pitcher.

Lovelady made the team out of Spring Training after he was added to the 40-man roster in mid-March. Now, with the Jays needing a fresh arm after the bullpen was overworked Saturday, he’s been booted off the 40-man roster. Toronto has seven days to either trade Lovelady or place him on waivers.

Fluharty is coming up as bullpen depth while the Blue Jays designated Richard Lovelady in a corresponding move. Toronto could use a fresh arm in the bullpen after Max Scherzer could only get through two innings against the Orioles on Saturday.

Scherzer left Saturday’s season debut against the Orioles with what was deemed a lat strain, but told reporters the issue with his lat was “100 percent” related to thumb soreness he first experienced during spring training. The 40-year-old right-hander is no stranger to the injured list at this point in his career and unfortunately he’s on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks, at a bare minimum.

Realmuto left Saturday’s game early with a left foot contusion. While the Phillies said his removal was precautionary, he’s out of the lineup Sunday. Realmuto fouled a ball off his foot Saturday and X-rays were negative. It doesn’t appear that a stint on the injured list is imminent, but this is still a situation to monitor with the 34-year-old catcher.

Turner was a late scratch for Saturday’s game due to back spasms. The 31-year-old shortstop wasn’t even in the initial lineup for the Phillies on Sunday. Edmundo Sosa is batting sixth and playing shortstop against Washington left-hander Mitchell Parker.

The 21-year-old third baseman is 4-for-9 (.444) with a run scored in the Rays’ first two games of the year, but Caminero is on the bench to begin Sunday’s game with a routine day off. Jose Caballero is playing third base and batting seventh against Colorado.