MLB Player News

Gil was pulled from his bullpen session Friday due to shoulder tightness and is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The reigning American League Rookie of the Year was building toward his first start of spring training, but the shoulder tightness instead has him headed for medical imaging. According to Erik Boland of Newsday, manager Aaron Boone said he feels like the injury will "cost us some time," so Gil may not be ready by Opening Day. Should the injury force him to miss the start of the regular season, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren are the primary options to round out the Yankees' starting rotation.

Dana pitched three perfect innings Thursday, compiling three strikeouts against the Cubs in a Cactus League contest.

The 21-year-old wasn't originally slated to start, but he stepped into that role after Jack Kochanowicz was scratched due to an illness. Dana thrived against Chicago, retiring all nine batters he faced on 36 pitches. He'd struggled in his first first appearance this spring, allowing three runs over 1.2 frames against Seattle.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Contreras will be stretched out in camp in case he's needed as a starting pitcher or long reliever, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Contreras is out of minor-league options, so he'll either be included on the Opening Day roster or put on the waiver wire again after being claimed five times this offseason, including twice by the Orioles. The righty made just three starts and 46 relief appearances last season, but he has extensive starting experience. If Contreras does head north with the Orioles, he'll likely be in line for a long relief role.

DeGrom will throw the first of what will likely be a few live batting practice sessions this weekend before he'll be ready to appear in a Cactus League game, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

That schedule likely lines deGrom up to make his Cactus League debut in the second week of March. It's a quick turnaround between then and Opening Day, but the Rangers are understandably being careful with deGrom this spring after he missed most of the last two seasons following Tommy John surgery in June 2023, the second of his career. The two-time Cy Young winner might have a relatively limited workload early on this season.

Rodon allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League game against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Rodon struck out three batters in a scoreless first inning, but he then allowed a two-run homer to Johan Rojas in the second. The veteran lefty pitched into the third, departing with two outs after giving up a run-scoring double. Rodon has yielded six runs over 5.1 frames through two spring starts, but he's building up his pitch count nicely, throwing 57 pitches Thursday.

Kochanowicz (illness) will throw a simulated game Friday and is expected to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was unable to start as scheduled Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the mound a day later indicates there's no cause for concern. Kochanowicz posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings as a rookie last year and is competing in spring training for the No. 5 spot in the Halos' rotation.

Allen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the White Sox.

Allen made his second Cactus League start and worked up to 44 pitches (26 strikes). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt was pleased with the outing but noted the pitcher's "command issues" following the game, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. Higher-than optimal walk rates were an issue for Allen last season, and he also saw a spike in home runs allowed. After teasing the Guardians in his rookie 2023 season (3.81 ERA), Allen fell off to a 5.73 ERA and allowed a combined 34 home runs in 146 innings between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus. The left-hander is one of several pitchers competing for a spot in the big-league rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) hit 90 mph during a bullpen session Thursday and is getting close to facing hitters, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia averaged 94 mph with his four-seamer during his last healthy season in 2022, but he's still ramping things back up following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks. The Astros have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but it's not clear whether he might be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances.

Priester allowed two hits and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Tigers.

This was Priester's second Grapefruit League start. The right-hander threw 35 pitches (20 strikes) and escaped a first-inning bases-loaded jam by inducing a double-play grounder. He's added velocity to his preferred pitch, the sinker, which averaged 93.1 mph in 2024. On Thursday, none of his seven sinkers were below 94.2 mph. With three of Boston's expected rotation arms delayed or iffy for the start of the season -- Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (elbow) -- Priester could find himself in an Opening Day starting role.

Flaherty allowed one run on a hit and two walks across two innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Flaherty, who signed with Detroit on a two-year, $35 million deal earlier this month, made his spring debut and looked good during his short stint on the mound. The righty has a rotation spot locked up and should serve as the team's No. 2 starter behind ace Tarik Skubal. Flaherty started last year with the Tigers before getting traded to the Dodgers, whom he helped lead to a World Series title. Overall, Flaherty posted a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 162 innings in the 2024 regular season, and he projects as a solid fantasy option in 2025.