MLB Player News

Kremer has allowed four runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out eight over 7.2 innings during three spring starts this year.

All four of Kremer's appearances with the Orioles last year came as a starter, and he's worked exclusively as a starter this spring. The right-hander appears to be building up for a rotation role to begin the regular season, but manager Brandon Hyde hasn't yet indicated which pitchers will serve as starters early in the season. Hyde has said that the team has as many as 12 pitchers who could serve as starters, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports. Kremer will start Friday's Grapefruit League game and could make one or two more spring appearances before presumably beginning the year as part of the starting rotation.

Matz is expected to begin the regular season in the starting rotation, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Matz served as a swingman for the Mets during the abbreviated 2020 season, struggling to a 9.68 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 30.2 innings across nine appearances (six starts). While the Blue Jays could use openers to begin the regular season, Matz is expected to have a starting role, although his spot in the rotation hasn't been determined. The southpaw, who was traded to Toronto in January, has made two Grapefruit League starts, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six across five scoreless innings.

Paxton's next start will come in a Cactus League matchup, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Paxton has been healthy and free of any issues early in spring training, but he had been preparing for the regular season during morning workouts and "B" games to begin camp. However, manager Scott Servais confirmed Thursday that Paxton's next appearance will be in a Cactus League game. While Servais didn't reveal what day Paxton will start, the southpaw remains on track for the regular season.

Glasnow recorded seven strikeouts but also allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk over four innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Pirates on Wednesday.

The newly minted Opening Day starter's biggest mistake came in the form of a two-run homer he surrendered to Bryan Reynolds, but Glasnow was otherwise able to miss plenty of bats for the second straight start. The big right-hander also stretched out to 76 pitches (50 strikes), keeping him right on track to open the regular season spearheading the Rays' rotation.

Paxton, who hasn't pitched in any Cactus League games, continues to ramp up for the regular season with morning workouts and "B" games, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. "We've been doing morning work with James; no injuries, no issues at all," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "The fact that you haven't seen him in an 'A' game has nothing to do with his physical health. He's looked great since the day he got in."

Paxton is the only member of Seattle's projected six-man starting rotation who hasn't yet taken the mound in an official spring training game, but the team has repeatedly confirmed the veteran isn't dealing with any health issues. Dipoto also said Wednesday that Paxton has been regularly hitting 95-96 mph with his fastball and has already stretched out to four innings. The projected No. 2 starter remains on track to take his first regular-season return through the rotation, and he's slated to pitch in another "B" game this coming weekend.

Manoah was assigned to minor-league camp Thursday.

Manoah likely never had a chance to break camp on the big-league roster, as he's made just six professional starts since being selected 11th overall in the 2019 draft. He couldn't have made a much better case for himself than he did in five scoreless innings this spring, striking out 11 while walking none and giving up one hit. Manoah could make his major-league debut this year if he carries that strong performance into the minor-league season, though his inexperience as a professional may mean he has to wait until 2022.

Dunning allowed one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against Arizona.

Dunning entered in relief of starter Kyle Gibson, but he's expected to be a back-end starter for the Rangers. However, manager Chris Woodward plans to use a tandem of starters to fill the fourth and fifth rotation slots. That means a right-hander like Dunning would be coupled with a left-hander like Taylor Hearn or Wes Benjamin. It's unclear which one would open a game or the how the innings count would be broken down between the two.

Gibson hit a batter and struck out six over four scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

After Gibson hit Tim Locastro with a pitch to start the game, he didn't allow another baserunner other than an error by third baseman Rougned Odor. Gibson was pleased with his cutter, which he added to his arsenal during the offseason, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It helped produce seven groundouts (zero flyouts). "I'm not throwing cutters just to throw them anymore," he said. "I'm using them when it makes sense to against a hitter." The Rangers' new-minted Opening Day starter looked in fine form Wednesday, but his long track record of regular-season mediocrity means fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach.

Luzardo allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits, a walk and a wild pitch across 2.1 innings in a Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He struck out three.

The left-hander was taken deep by Ketel Marte in the second inning as part of a forgettable outing overall, one that was in sharp contrast to the four scoreless frames he managed in his spring debut Thursday. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Luzardo primarily blamed pitch selection and location for his troubles Tuesday, which also included a trio of doubles in addition to the aforementioned solo homer. "I threw a couple of changeups to Cabrera and Escobar and it looked like they were expecting it," Luzardo said. "I just have to make better pitches. I have to throw more offspeed pitches for strikes."

Montgomery threw five scoreless and hitless innings against Toronto in a Grapefruit League game Wednesday, allowing one walk while striking out four.

Montgomery dominated the Blue Jays in the exhibition contest, hurling five hitless innings and allowing only a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The southpaw has looked great this spring, yielding only one run and four hits across 10 innings while registering a 7:3 K:BB. He is locked into a spot near the back end of the Yankees' 2021 rotation.