MLB Player News
-
Tanner Bibee SP | CLE
Guardians' Tanner Bibee: Makes final spring start
Bibee allowed eight runs on 10 hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against San Francisco.
Bibee retired the first six batters faced before running into the trouble the rest of the way. He allowed two home runs Saturday and five over his final two Cactus League starts. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 70 (49 strikes) in advance of his Opening Day start at Seattle.
-
Michael Burrows SP | HOU
Astros' Mike Burrows: Hit by comebacker
Burrows was removed from his Grapefruit League start against the Mets on Saturday after getting hit by a comebacker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Burrows was immediately taken out of the game after taking a 92-mph groundball off his lower left leg in the sixth inning. His removal may have been precautionary -- especially since he had already thrown 77 pitches -- though the Astros should provide more details on his status in the near future.
-
Paul Blackburn SP | NYY
Yankees' Paul Blackburn: Limiting runs in spring action
Blackburn has posted a 1.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings spanning five appearances (including two starts) during Grapefruit League play.
The WHIP and walks aren't going to excite anyone, but Blackburn has at least managed to mostly keep opponents from crossing home plate. The veteran hurler is slated for his first full season with the Yankees after joining the club in late August last year. Blackburn will likely serve in middle and long relief during the regular season, and his previous experience as a starter gives the Yankees insurance in case a spot start is needed along the way.
-
Walbert Urena SP | LAA
Angels' Walbert Urena: Could break camp with Angels
Urena could make the Angels' Opening Day roster, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Urena has pitched just one game above the Double-A level, so he came into camp as a long shot to break camp with the big-league club. However, the right-hander has had a decent spring, posting a 4.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings spanning six appearances (including one start). Beyond those surface numbers, Urena has hit triple digits with his sinker and hasn't yet given up any long balls. He's worked mostly as a starter in the minors, though Urena's profile could fit that of a high-leverage reliever. Whether or not he makes the season-opening 26-day roster could hinge on whether Alek Manoah (finger) and Grayson Rodriguez (arm) begin the campaign in the Angels' rotation.
-
Dean Kremer SP | BAL
Orioles' Dean Kremer: Optioned to minors
The Orioles optioned Kremer to minor-league camp Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Kremer gave up five earned runs over nine innings during his three Grapefruit League appearances. He was beat out for the final spot in Baltimore's rotation by Zach Eflin, who struck out 10 batters and walked one in 7.1 shutout frames this spring. Kremer has maintained a fairly consistent 4.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over the past three seasons for the O's, and he'll likely be the first choice to return to the majors if the big club's rotation depth is tested.
-
Patrick Sandoval SP | BOS
Red Sox's Patrick Sandoval: Will throw in game Monday
Sandoval (elbow) will throw three innings in a minor-league game Monday, MLB.com reports.
Sandoval never got into a Grapefruit League game this spring while rehabbing from Tommy John elbow surgery. Both Sandoval and Kutter Crawford (wrist) are expected to throw in games Monday, and both will serve as starting depth once deemed ready.
-
Kutter Crawford SP | BOS
Red Sox's Kutter Crawford: Will throw Monday
Crawford (wrist) will throw three innings in a minor-league game in Fort Myers on Monday, MLB.com reports.
Crawford has been throwing live batting practice during spring training but has not appeared in a game. Another of Boston's injured starters will throw Monday, as Patrick Sandoval (elbow) is expected to pitch three innings in a minor-league game.
-
Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer: Builds up to 75 pitches
Scherzer allowed two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out three.
The 41-year-old right-hander tossed 75 pitches (53 strikes) in what's likely to be his final Grapefruit League appearance of the spring, although Mitch Bannon of The Athletic indicated after Friday's outing that Scherzer would make one more spring start in a minor-league game next week. Scherzer has an unblemished 0.00 ERA with a 9:5 K:BB in 13.2 innings since re-signing with Toronto in late February, and he's locked into a rotation spot to begin the season with Shane Bieber (forearm), Trey Yesavage (shoulder) and Jose Berrios (elbow) all headed for the IL.
-
Logan Taylor Allen SP | CLE
Guardians' Logan Allen: Loses battle for rotation spot
The Guardians optioned Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Allen surrendered 12 runs on 14 hits and two walks over just 2.1 innings during his Cactus League appearance Friday, which seemingly put the final nail in the coffin for his hopes of making the Opening Day rotation. Parker Messick will instead claim the final spot; meanwhile, Allen will aim to rebound in the minors and earn an in-season promotion.
-
Nathan Eovaldi SP | TEX
Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi: Efficient final tuneup
Eovaldi allowed four hits and one walk and did not record a strikeout over four scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against San Francisco.
Eovaldi was efficient in his final Cactus League start before taking the ball Opening Day next Thursday. He threw just 36 pitches (27 strikes), which can happen when a team is as aggressive as the Giants were Friday. There should be no worries about length; Eovaldi threw 81 pitches and 5.2 innings in his previous spring start.