MLB Player News

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances is struggling this spring, but he wants to finish strong heading into opening day, reports MLB.com.

Betances, 27, has an ERA of 6.75 thus far through spring. In six outings, he has allowed seven hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. His performances in the Grapefruit League have frustrated the right-hander.

"I'm obviously frustrated," Betances said. "I mean, it's been four outings where every time out, I've given up a run. Today I felt better, but you've got to make a better pitch than that to [Juan] Lagares. It's frustrating, but I'm sure I've got four more outings left and I'll do whatever I can to be better for the season."

Competing for a spot in the Rays' starting rotation, Matt Andriese threw 75 pitches over five innings Wednesday against the Twins, allowing no earned runs, three hits, six strikeouts and one walk.

Andriese retired his first six batters before allowing a double to Twins third basemen Eduardo Nunez.

"I thought I commanded the strike zone with the sinker today," Andriese said. "Just throwing all of my pitches for strikes. The cutter was good on both sides of the plate and the sinker as well."

Andriese's numbers for the spring include a 1.10 ERA, 10 strikeouts and six walks in 16 1/3 innings.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago is channeling his confidence to give him an inside edge for a rotation spot this season, according to the Los Angeles Times. He has allowed six earned runs in 12 innings of work in Cactus League play.

"They know what I can and I know what I can do," Santiago said. "It's that confidence where you just believe in yourself, and you believe in them for believing in you."

The left-hander went 6-9 with a 3.75 ERA over 24 starts last season. He won five of seven decisions and posted a 2.98 ERA in the second half of the season, which helped Los Angeles clinch a division title.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday pitcher Adam Warren is the favorite to win the final spot in the team's rotation, per MLB.com. Cashman indicated Warren has a huge lead in the race over the remaining candidates -- Esmil Rogers, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Whitley and Scott Baker.

"There is a Secretariat in the field," Cashman said, per the New York Post. "Right now, Warren’s got a big lead in this, but we don’t have to make that decision right now. As of right now, if we made the call today, it would be Warren."

Warren is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA through four spring starts. He has allowed four runs on 13 hits and no walks in 13 innings, while striking out six.

Astros reliever Josh Fields will not throw off a mound for a few days after suffering a right groin strain Monday, manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday. Fields will throw off flat ground, however, per the Houston Chronicle.

Hinch added at this point it is still possible for Fields to be ready by Opening Day.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore will resume throwing this week following a scheduled two-week break in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He will throw a bullpen session Friday, per The Tampa Tribune.

Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances has lost a touch of speed on his fastball this spring. Betances has allowed three runs on six hits in five innings of work, including a run off a leadoff walk Tuesday.

"There’s no concern for me now,'' manager Joe Girardi said to ESPN.com. "If it was to go on for a long time you’d be concerned, but he wasn’t throwing 97 at this time last year, he wasn’t, and power pitchers usually take a little bit longer to get going."

Betances isn't holding anything back for the regular season.

"No, not at all," he said. "I gotta just trust whatever I have right now. I know that the velocity will come. Same thing last year in spring training; last year I just trusted it and this year I’m trying to do a little extra with whatever I have instead of just trusting it."

Girardi knows there is a long way to go.

"It's a long year," Girardi said. "We got a long ways to go, so we’ll keep his work consistent with what we've done this spring training.

"So, I mean it’s going to be really close to 12 innings. He’ll be ready to go."

Yankees pitcher Esmil Rogers struggled to get batters out Tuesday, allowing five runs on five hits in three innings against the Tigers.

Rogers, who added two walks and two strikeouts in the start, knew he didn't have it, according to MLB.com.

"Not great," Rogers said. "It was one of those bad days when everything didn't work."

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz is dealing slight tightness in his right hip that came up during warmups Tuesday, according to CSN California.

Pomeranz, who has posted a 2.00 ERA in three starts, has dealt with the issue in the past and said it doesn't normally last beyond a day.

"It never loosened up," Pomeranz said to MLB.com. "I thought it would and it didn't, so I was fighting myself, fighting my front side the whole day. Made it a little difficult to fill up the zone."

He went 2 2/3 innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits.

Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh racked up seven strikeouts in five innings during Tuesday's spring game against the Mets. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk.

McHugh gave up a two-run homer to David Wright in the third inning. He now has 4.96 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.

"I wanted to get the pitch count up," McHugh said to MLB.com. "We got up over 75 pitches, which is good. I probably have one more start -- maybe one of the exhibition games [in Houston] -- to get back up to that 100 plateau by the time the season starts. Getting five innings under my belt, getting through a lineup 2 1/2 times were all things I haven't done yet this spring. It's a good progression so far."