MLB Player News

Nicasio was scratched from an appearance Monday due to tightness in his back, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old Nicasio has been limited to two spring appearances. As a non-roster invitee, he's not expected to be part of the bullpen come Opening Day.

Lynn allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out four over four innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Rockies.

Lynn ceded runs in three of the four innings during his second spring start. The goal this time out was to work on his curveball and changeup, notes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Lynn threw his fastball 71.8 percent of the time last season, the third-highest usage among pitchers with a minimum of 1,000 pitches thrown. It makes sense that he wants to mix in more offspeed stuff and lower his predictability. "We talked about it all offseason, mixing in more curveballs and changeups," Lynn said. "Today I threw some good ones. Got to keep going. If I can mix in my curve and changeup to get some easier outs, that's the plan. Once I get going and do what I do, if I can have them as weapons, it's going to be good." The right-hander sports an 8.10 ERA over two spring starts with at least another three starts remaining to get his innings and pitch count up.

Walker retired all seven batters he faced in an intersquad "B" game Wednesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The outing was yet another step in the slow walking of Walker's development this spring, as the Mariners have opted to be cautious with the veteran right-hander after he missed most of the last two seasons with injuries. Walker threw 31 pitches overall in Wednesday's outing, which likely served as his final tune-up before making his first Cactus League start early next week. "Finally, I feel like I can be aggressive now," Walker said. "When I step out there I feel good and can let it loose. I don't have any worries, nothing in the back of my head about my shoulder or elbow or anything like that. It makes it a lot easier to pitch and a lot more fun."

Cease allowed one run on three hits while striking out five over four innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Brewers.

Cease upped his pitch count to 58 (40 strikes) and hit 98 mph on the gun during his second spring start. He battled an elevated walk rate in 2019, but Cease has yet to walk a batter in six spring innings. "Yeah, that was probably the best I've ever commanded my fastball," Cease told Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "Really, for most of the spring, my fastball command has been good, so it's just a continuation of the process I'm working on.

Greinke hit 91 mph on the radar gun during Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. He allowed two hits and struck out two over three shutout innings.

Greinke's fastball is up a few ticks from where it normally is this time of year. He chalked up the improved velocity to an offseason program in which he threw more and worked out less, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. Greinke threw 38 pitches (27 strikes) and threw more in the bullpen following the game. He's allowed one unearned run through five spring innings.

Sale (elbow) is not expected to undergo Tommy John surgery at this point, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old is expected to avoid surgery and will meet with arm specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache later this week for another opinion. Dr. ElAttrache will be the third specialist to have examined Sale's MRI results, which should rule out the possibility of the southpaw making a quick turnaround from the injured list. The Red Sox should have an updated timeline on the injury within the next few days, but it is almost certain that seven-time All Star will spend greater than the minimum 15 days on the IL.

Canning is scheduled to receive a second opinion Thursday for his injured right elbow, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The MRI that Canning required over the weekend revealed that he's dealing with issues with his UCL as well as joint irritation, making it a virtual certainty that he'll open the season on the injured list. The Angels likely just want to send Canning in for another opinion to receive more information about the best treatment method for the 23-year-old, with Tommy John surgery presumably representing a worst-case scenario. Even if Canning isn't given a lengthy recovery timeline and receives clearance to treat the injury though non-surgical means, he'll still represent a risky investment in fantasy drafts.

Milone wasn't able to pitch in his scheduled simulated game Tuesday due to a left trap injury, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles appear to be viewing the neck issue as a minor concern, as manager Brandon Hyde acknowledged that Milone might be ready to get back on the mound Wednesday to face hitters. The non-roster invitee is competing for a back-end spot in the Orioles' rotation this spring.

Sale (elbow) plans to meet with arm specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache later this week for another opinion on his recent MRI, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday that the Red Sox have already received an evaluation of Sale's MRI results from Dr. James Andrews, but the team will get another opinion before deciding the best course of action for its staff ace. According to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe, Dr. ElAttrache will be the third specialist to have examined the results, which doesn't inspire much confidence in Sale's ability to make a quick return from the injured list. Boston should have an updated timeline for Sale within the next few days, but fantasy managers should already begin preparing for him to spend more than the minimum 15 days on the IL.

Perez allowed six runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Yankees.

Perez was done after 34 pitches but got his pitch count up by throwing another 20 in the bullpen. He chalked up the outing to bad luck, noting a lot of soft contact, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. He's penciled in as Boston's No. 3 starter and becomes a more important piece after it was learned Chris Sale is out indefinitely after undergoing an MRI on his elbow.