MLB Player News

Bieber (elbow) threw his fourth bullpen session Feb, 28 and progressed to throwing five times a week, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Whether it's Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis or associate manager Craig Albernaz, observers of Bieber's bullpens state the right-hander is right where he needs to be. Nothing has changed regarding his return window, which is pegged for some point this summer.

Gray allowed four hits and struck out two over three scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against Arizona.

Gray worked around two hits in each of the first two innings before retiring the side in order in his final frame. The right-hander threw 40 pitches (29 for strikes). He also worked on mechanical issues during his second Cactus League start after experiencing a drop in velocity his first time out. As Gray described it to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News following Sunday's outing, he was standing "tall" on the mound, which means he kept his right leg straight instead of it buckling as he pushed forward to deliver the ball. Gray's fastball averaged 93.7 mph during his first start; it averaged 94.4 on Sunday.

Stroman allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one batter over 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League game against Atlanta on Sunday.

Stroman gave up solo homers to Austin Riley and Matt Olson in the first inning and exited with two outs in the third after giving up a pair of doubles in the frame. The veteran hurler has been adamant about wanting to be in the rotation rather than coming out of the bullpen this season, and there may be a starting spot available with Luis Gil's Opening Day status in question due to a shoulder injury. However, Stroman hasn't made much of a case for such a role this spring, as he's posted a 9.82 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 3.2 frames covering two appearances.

Buehler struck out four and allowed one hit and no walks across two innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The right-hander was excellent in his first start of spring training as he pounded the zone, throwing 19 of his 25 pitches for strikes. Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery last year and had a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts for the Dodgers, though he turned in a 3.60 ERA across 15 innings during the playoffs. The 30-year-old joined Boston on a one-year, $21.05 million deal for 2025 and is a good rebound candidate if he can stay healthy.

Giolito (elbow) is tracking toward making his first Grapefruit League start March 11 versus the Phillies, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

After spending the entire 2024 season on the shelf while recovering from an internal brace procedure, Giolito has been behind Boston's healthy starters in spring training but has been active throughout camp. He's been able to complete multiple simulated games and will face hitters once more in a controlled setting Thursday before making his spring debut the following week. Barring any setbacks while building up during spring training, Giolito should have an inside track on an Opening Day rotation spot.

DeGrom threw live batting practice Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. "He looked good," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He looked like Jacob; the stuff, everything. He felt good. I think he came out of it fine."

DeGrom threw 25 pitches (14 strikes) in his first live BP session of spring. One person on hand estimated he was throwing at about 80-to-90 percent. The 36-year-old deGrom is looking for his first full healthy season since 2020; he's made just 35 starts over the last four seasons. Despite what has been a deliberate pace in deGrom's ramp-up, Bochy expects the pitcher to be ready when the regular season begins. He'll make his first spring start this coming Friday.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Suarez is currently positioned as Baltimore's No. 6 starting pitcher, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is a strong bet to make the Opening Day roster since he's out of minor-league options, but he could be headed to the bullpen rather than the starting rotation. The Orioles have Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano poised to begin the campaign as their five-man unit, with Cade Povich coming in at the No. 7 spot. Suarez started in 24 of his 32 regular-season appearances last season and is on track to work as a swingman again in 2025.

Rocker allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over one inning in Saturday's spring start against the Cubs.

This was Rocker's second Cactus League start and looked very much like his first, when the right-hander gave up four runs in an inning. The main difference in the two starts is that Rocker was pulled early in the first inning and once again an inning later Saturday. He entered camp in the mix for a rotation spot but owns a 36.00 ERA through two starts.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Povich is currently considered the Orioles' seventh starting pitcher, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Assuming everyone stays healthy throughout spring training, Baltimore's five-man rotation of Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano is set, while Hyde labeled Albert Suarez as the No. 6 starter. Povich appears poised to begin the campaign at Triple-A Norfolk, but he's off to a strong start in spring training with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings through two starts. The left-hander made 16 starts for Baltimore as a rookie last year and had a 5.20 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 69:34 K:BB across 79.2 innings, and it's likely just a matter of time before he receives another look in 2025.

Cantillo allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over one inning in Saturday's spring start against the Cubs.

Cantillo was dialed in during his first Cactus League start, but the left-hander struggled to command his fastball the second time out and kept falling behind hitters. He was eventually pulled with one out in the first inning before coming back to start the second. He then walked three batters and left his second frame with two outs. It was a stark contrast to Cantillo's first spring outing, when 18 of his 21 offerings landed in the zone.