MARCH 14, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Mets officially announce Opening Day starter | Sporting News Canada The New York Mets have announced their Opening Day starter for the 2025 MLB season, which begins on the road against the Houston Astros.
Lance McCullers Jr. - Grapefruit debut set for Tuesday Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that McCullers (forearm) will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact The right-hander touched 94 mph during his most recent live batting practice session and felt fine physically, clearing the way for his spring debut. This will be the first time McCullers has pitched in a game since the 2022 World Series, as he's dealt with numerous arm issues since then. He will begin the year on the injured list but could be ready for a spot in the Astros' rotation relatively early on in the season.
MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Miguel Ullola - Exits appearance with injury Ullola was removed from Friday's Spring Breakout game appearance versus the Nationals with an apparent injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact Ullola was in his second inning of work when he was visited by a trainer following a strikeout and eventually walked off the mound. The Astros should have more on the right-hander condition shortly.
MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Nolan Arenado - Searching for hits this spring Arenado is just 4-for-30 with one home run in his first 12 Grapefruit League games.
Impact While the numbers aren't good, Arenado insists that he's "seeing the ball really well" this spring after having a "really hard time picking up the ball" last spring, per MLB.com. After an offseason of trade rumors, Arenado remains in St. Louis and will again be the club's everyday third baseman. He'll seek to bounce back offensively in 2025 after slashing a disappointing .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs over 152 contests last season.
MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Spring Breakout Audio: STL vs. MIA | 03/14/2025 The Cardinals' and Marlins' top prospects square off in a one-of-a-kind showcase of baseball's future
MARCH 14, 2025 • MLB.COM
Brendan Donovan - In line for super utility role Donovan is expected to assume a super utility role this season for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Impact Had the club been able to trade Nolan Arenado, it was prepared to play Nolan Gorman at third base and give Donovan the lion's share of reps at second base. The keystone might still be where Donovan plays most, but Gorman will also receive starts there, with Donovan seeing plenty of action in left field, as well, particularly on days Lars Nootbaar plays center field. Donovan is also capable of handling third base, first base and shortstop.
MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Iván Herrera - Heating up in Grapefruit League Herrera is 6-for-12 with one home run and a 0:3 K:BB over his last five Grapefruit League contests.
Impact The nice stretch at the plate came after he went hitless in his first six games of the spring. There isn't much question about Herrera's offense. Where he needs to improve is on the defensive side, and more specifically, his throwing arm. Herrera trained this offseason at Driveline's facility in Tampa, Florida, where he was put on a throwing program to build arm strength and alter his throwing motion, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The 24-year-old Herrera is competing with Pedro Pages for reps at catcher for the Cardinals, and the consensus is that Herrera will, at minimum, split the duties, and perhaps receive the lion's share of work.
MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
