MLB Player News

Bello (forearm) threw three innings for Double-A Portland on a back field Friday.

Bello increased his pitch count to 42 and will continue to ramp up in minor-league games before the Red Sox activate him. He's expected to join Boston's starting rotation in mid-to-late April.

Severino has been scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start Sunday, but the reason has not yet been disclosed, Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media reports.

Severino has struggled at times this spring, giving up 15 earned runs and six home runs across 15 innings. However, he's stated that he feels healthy and has struck out 23 batters -- including nine in four innings in his most recent outing -- so it's unclear if he's battling an injury. Severino has dealt with various arm issues over the past several seasons, so there's reason for New York to be cautious if he's feeling any sort of discomfort, but the team has not yet discussed the decision to pull him from what was scheduled to be his final appearance of the spring. As such, there's no indication yet as to whether Severino will need to miss any starts to begin the campaign.

Maeda gave up two runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in Friday's spring training win over the Yankees. He lowered his spring ERA to 4.91 and has a 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings.

Maeda improved from his previous spring outing where he gave up five runs and two home runs in four innings. Walks continue to be an issue for Maeda this spring, however. He is working his way back from August 2021 Tommy John surgery and pitching in his first games this spring. His high walk totals this spring could be a sign his command isn't sharp yet after undergoing surgery. It could also just be a byproduct of a veteran in spring training working on pitches without too much regard to the results. Monitor his performance early in the season, but he's set to begin the year in the Minnesota rotation.

Paxton (hamstring) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

This represents a significant step forward for Paxton, who, as Abraham notes, essentially had to start all over again with his throwing program after suffering a hamstring strain earlier this month. Paxton will not be ready for Opening Day and the lefty may end up needing a minor-league start or two to prepare for his return. Tanner Houck is expected to fill a rotation spot in the meantime.

Dunning allowed two hits and one walk in a scoreless relief inning in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.

Dunning made four starts during the Cactus League and recently threw six innings, but there's no room for him in the rotation. The right-hander recently told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he would like to be a starter but is open to relieving. His eventual role will be as a multi-inning reliever, which will come in handy early when some starters, like Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, may be on restricted pitch counts after dealing with injuries this spring.

Heaney allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Cubs.

This was Heaney's final Cactus League outing, and the left-hander admitted to not being at his best, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Heaney worked this spring to incorporate his changeup -- an offering he threw just 5.1 percent of the time in 2022. The goal is to have a third pitch to play off his fastball/slider mix. The 31-year-old finished the spring with a 6.75 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 12 innings. Perhaps tinkering with the changeup played a role in those numbers. Heaney is expected to start the Rangers' fifth game of the season, facing the Orioles on April 4.

Flexen will not open the season in Seattle's starting rotation, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

The Mariners will have Luis Castillo on the mound for Opening Day, and he'll be followed in order by Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales and George Kirby. That means Flexen will be a multi-inning relief option to begin the season despite a strong 2.65 ERA in 17 innings so far in the Cactus League. If anything was to happen to the names above Flexen would be the obvious replacement.

Gaddis has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster for the Guardians, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Gaddis was roughed up for 15 runs in just 7.1 innings last year in two appearances -- good for an 18.41 ERA -- but he has pitched well in the Cactus League with a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings with a 17:3 K:BB and even 1.00 WHIP. He'll likely be a multi-inning option in low-leverage situations to begin 2023.

Brown (back) played catch without issue Friday in Astros camp, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said after the flat-ground workout that Brown is "feeling a lot better" as he recovers from a bout of lower-back tightness. It sounds like the 24-year-old right-hander might be able to open the 2023 regular season as the No. 5 starter for Houston, but he does have some more hurdles to clear before camp breaks.

Quantrill threw 5.2 hitless innings in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Giants, allowing one walk and striking out five.

Quantrill set down 17 straight Giants to start the game, then walked the last batter he faced. This was a new level of dominance for the right-hander in what's been a challenging spring -- he has a 5.25 ERA and 10:3 K:BB across 12 innings over four starts. Despite the struggles, he's a lock for the Guardians' rotation to open the season, and Quantrill's ability to maintain a good ERA and absorb innings gives him some appeal in fantasy.