MLB Player News

Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith is targeting 80 appearances in 2015 after sharing the league lead with 78 appearances last season, the Journal Sentinel reports.

"I'll tell (manager) Ron (Roenicke) that I want 80 this year," he said.

Smith excelled early last season before struggling during the middle part of the year while he was carrying a heavy workload. However, he was able to bounce back in September. Smith took part in a different type of offseason workout in an attempt to strengthen his legs, allowing him to stay stronger longer.

"I take pride in having really strong legs that can last all year, and I worked really hard this offseason on a squat program that our trainer put us through," Smith said. "Last year we’d do more two sets of 10 and not as heavy. This year we did five sets of two and it’s heavy, heavy weight. We did back squats, front squats – we did them all. A lot of high weight, and it was intense. It hurt some days. I live on the third floor of my apartment complex and walking up the stairs I’d be like, ‘Oh, this is tough.’ But it was fun. I had a good time with it."

Roenicke indicated that the team won't tread lightly when the team needs Smith on the mound.

"When we need him, we’ll pitch him," Roenicke said. "And as long as he performs like he did last year, he’s going to get some very important innings for us and I really don’t think I need to go easy with him."

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse will start the team's Cactus League opener Thursday, MLB.com reports, lining Lohse up to receive the opening-day start on April 6.

Though Lohse appears in line to start opening day, he dodged a question regarding the potential assignment. "How about we answer that question when something is official?" Lohse said.

After Lohse's Thursday start, the Brewers will line up Matt Garza, Wily Peralta, Mike Fiers and Jimmy Nelson in the spring rotation, FOXSportsWisconsin.com reports.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson will likely miss one spring start, according to MLB.com.

Nelson came into camp dealing with a hamstring injury, but was able to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. He reported no issues on Monday, and is close to getting back on a normal schedule. Despite that, he's likely to miss out on one start this spring. Manager Ron Roenicke doesn't think it's a big deal. "You could say he's behind, but do they really need all those games?" Roenicke said. "I don't know."

The 25-year-old Nelson is expected to compete for a spot in the team's rotation this spring. He posted a 4.93 ERA over 69 1/3 innings last year. 

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson threw live batting practice Sunday and reported no issues, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Nelson has been suffering from a hamstring injury, which pushed back his previous batting practice session.

Padres manager Bud Black said pitcher Brandon Maurer has stood out during spring training and would not rule out Maurer moving to the starting rotation, reports U-T San Diego.

"He's got the ability to start," Black said. "We're not ruling that out long term."

The Rockies purchased the contract of pitcher John Axford on Sunday, the team announced.

Axford was signed to a minor-league contract during the offseason, but the move places Axford on the MLB roster.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson didn't throw live batting practice as scheduled Saturday, with the team choosing to let his injured hamstring rest, MLB.com reports.

Manager Ron Roenicke reiterated Saturday that Nelson's hamstring injury is minor and that the pitcher is scheduled to throw Sunday. Roenicke added that he "would be surprised" if the pitcher was pushed back again.

Nelson saw his first significant action with the Brewers in 2014, going 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA and 57:19 K:BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was fitted for a protective boot Friday as he continues to recover from surgery, MLB.com reports.

After Jansen has his stitches removed next week, Jansen will be able to begin placing weight on the foot and gradually increase athletic activity. He is expected to be out until at least the end of April after having a growth removed from his fifth metatarsal.

When news spread Thursday that Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was throwing changeups during batting practice, it generated some buzz before manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated it probably wouldn't be a pitch that makes it into Kimbrel's in-season repertoire.

It seems Kimbrel indicated as much Friday, saying throwing the changeup in spring training offers him a way to improve his mechanics and avoid putting too much early strain on his arm with an overabundance of curveballs.

"It does help me with extension and getting through my pitches," Kimbrel said, per MLB.com. "That's really the main reason I throw it. Plus, I don't want to go out there and flip off breaking balls over and over again until my arm is ready to do it. So why not throw a changeup?"

Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson rested again Friday due to a hamstring injury, according to MLB.com. However, manager Ron Roenicke continues to indicate it is not a serious injury.