MLB Player News

Hammel (elbow) tossed two scoreless innings in his spring debut Saturday.

He allowed two hits and hit a batter, but Hammel kept the Reds quiet Saturday. After logging 166.2 innings in the Cubs' rotation last season, the Royals are hoping that Hammel can offer up five-plus frames every fifth day this season in their quest to find ample rotation depth for 2017.

Carrasco was hammered by the Rockies over 1.1 innings Friday, allowing four runs on six hits.

After a poor showing in his first spring appearance four days earlier, Carrasco was even worse Friday. Speaking about the righty's latest showing, manager Terry Francona didn't sound as optimistic as he did earlier in the week. "It just didn't seem like his pitches were real crisp," Francona said. "They were coming across the gun OK, but just not a lot of finish to them." The 29-year-old has yielded six runs on nine hits, including two home runs, through 3.1 Cactus League innings.

Odorizzi has been added to the World Baseball Classic reserve roster for Team USA, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The young right-hander replaces Sonny Gray, who wasn't cleared for contract insurance. Odorizzi has emerged as a potential ace for Tampa Bay, posting a 3.69 ERA and 8.0 K/9 in 33 starts last season, his fifth in the league.

McCullers (elbow) threw 43 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and said he felt good, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers has been dealing with the lingering ailment since last season, but it appears Saturday was a step in the right direction. "It went well," he said. "I'm feeling better and better each time I go out as far as my ability just to make pitches." As long as McCullers remains on schedule in his throwing program, he could see Grapefruit League action shortly.

Morton allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Friday's game against the Mets.

A nice start for Morton, who missed most of last season after tearing a hamstring in April. The 33-year-old right-hander's fastball was clocked between 94 and 96 mph, continuing a trend of increased velocity we noticed last season before his injury. He's part of a handful of pitchers looking to claim one of the final two spots in the rotation, but Morton's spot should be safe if he remains healthy.

Rodon's manager, Rick Renteria, said Friday that there is a chance Rodon may not be fully ready to go at the start of the regular season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Although there doesn't appear to be any injury involved, the White Sox are bringing Rodon along slowly during spring training in order to not put too much stress on his arm. While it is by no means a certainty, it's looking like their cautious approach may even extend into the beginning of the regular season. The White Sox will be looking for Rodon to take the next step in his development this season, as they look to fill the void in their starting rotation left by the departure of Chris Sale.

Montas fired two scoreless innings in Thursday's 5-1 Cactus League win over the Rangers, surrendering only one hit and recording a strikeout.

The flame-throwing 23-year-old was exceedingly sharp in his spring debut, hitting 97 and 98 mph on the radar gun according to manager Bob Melvin. The A's would love to give Montas a trial run as a starter this spring, but that desire is supplanted by the need to pace him after an oblique injury derailed his 2016 campaign. He boasts above-average strikeout potential and racked up 20 whiffs over 15 innings in his one previous major league stint, which came with the White Sox in 2015. Barring a change of plan, he's likely be deployed in relief for the balance of the exhibition slate, and then is expected to head to Triple-A Nashville to open the season.

Nolasco plans on throwing more two-seam fastballs than four-seam fastballs this season, The Orange County Register reports.

Nolasco attributes his success with the Angels last season (3.21 ERA) to leaning on his two-seam fastball. Two-seamers usually sacrifice a mile or two per hour in velocity in exchange for added movement. Surprisingly, Nolasco's two-seam (90.3 mph) and four-seam (90.4 mph) were nearly identical in velocity last season, despite him throwing both pitches over 750 times each. The veteran pitcher hasn't had a full-season ERA under 4.00 since 2013, so he won't be on many fantasy radars to begin the year. That being said, if he can repeat the success he attained after joining the Angels last season, then he would quickly generate deep league intrigue.

Quintana threw 50 pitches in a simulated game Friday and then threw 10 more in the bullpen afterwards.

The White Sox are taking it easy on Quintana as he prepares to represent Colombia in the World Baseball Classic next week. The southpaw is entering his sixth major league season with the White Sox after receiving his first All-Star nod last year.

Miley says he is alright after getting hit by a line drive in Friday's game and left only as a precaution, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Miley says the ball simply grazed his ribs and that he would have stayed in the game had it been the regular season. It's good news for the veteran lefty, who should return to normal pitching activities within the coming days. Miley has been diligently working on his mechanics after a down season in 2016, so expect him to see plenty of spring ball action before the season begins.