MLB Player News

Ortiz allowed three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six across three innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

The stat line isn't particularly positive, but Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provided more context for the outing by noting that Ortiz was struggling with his fastball velocity. Even without that, he settled in for a solid showing after allowing four baserunners and two earned runs in the first inning. Ortiz still has inconsistent command -- he has five walks across eight innings this spring -- but he has racked up 11 strikeouts in three Grapefruit League appearances. He's competing for the fifth rotation spot and has arguably made the best case for himself among the likes of Quinn Priester, Bailey Falter and Roansy Contreras.

Walker averaged just 89.4 mph with his four-seam fastball during Saturday's Grapefruit League debut versus the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and one walk while notching three strikeouts over two innings. Both Walker and Phillies manager Rob Thomson were unconcerned about the righty's low velocity, noting that Walker hasn't thrown much this spring due to a sore knee and also being away for personal reasons. Walker's velocity was down in 2023 after he lost about 20 pounds last offseason, but he put that weight back on this winter in hopes of regaining the zip on his fastball. His velocity will be worth tracking in the next couple weeks.

With Emmet Sheehan (upper body) set to begin the season on the IL, Stone and Michael Grove look like the leading candidates to claim the Dodgers' No. 5 rotation spot, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stone was originally thought to be competing with Sheehan for the team's final rotation spot, but it appears that Grove is in the running as well. Grove may have helped his case with a standout Cactus League start Saturday during which he pitched 3.1 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters, but he struggled in two previous spring appearances. Meanwhile, Stone has been excellent in surrendering just one run over 5.2 innings with a 4:1 K:BB, so he's probably the frontrunner between the two. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Kyle Hurt and Ryan Yarbrough are in the mix for the No. 5 starter role as well.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Taillon was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Rockies due to lower-back tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taillon's back tightened up on him during pregame warmups, and Counsell said the Cubs should have an update on Taillon's status and return timeline Sunday. Taillon has yet to appear in a game this spring and is coming off a 4.84 ERA season -- the highest mark of his seven-year career.

Taillon will no longer start the Cubs' Cactus League game against Colorado on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The reason for Taillon's late scratch is unclear, but the 32-year-old righty will have to wait a bit longer to make his spring debut nonetheless. Thomas Pannone will start against the Rockies in Taillon's place.

Alcantara (elbow) played catch Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara isn't a candidate to return during the 2024 season, but it is encouraging to see him throwing again just five months removed from his Tommy John procedure. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner will spend the year slowly rehabbing his elbow with the goal of returning for the start of the 2025 campaign.

The Reds optioned Richardson to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Richardson split his time last season between Triple-A and the majors. He spent the end of 2023 in the minors after posting an 8.64 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 12:15 K:BB over 16.2 innings with the Reds. Richardson will start 2024 in Louisville and will attempt to work his way back into Cincinnati's rotation.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Sheehan (upper body) will start the 2024 season on the Dodgers' injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Sheehan was set to compete with Gavin Stone for a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation. Sheehan's availability for the team's domestic opener is in jeopardy, and the duration of his IL stint has yet to be determined. He appeared in 13 games for the Dodgers last season and posted a 4.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 64:26 K:BB over 60.1 innings.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Saturday that Steele will start for the Cubs on Opening Day versus Texas, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Coming off the best season of his three-year career, Steele will be awarded his first Opening Day start. The 28-year-old southpaw finished last season with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP alongside a 176:36 K:BB across 173.1 innings, and he finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. Steele has gotten off to a slow start in Cactus League play, allowing four runs in six innings, but he figures to put together another strong campaign in 2024 if he stays healthy.

Gasser tossed three scoreless innings of relief in an exhibition game Friday. He allowed two hits and posted a 3:1 K:BB in the outing.

Gasser allowed two earned runs over two innings in his lone start of the spring, but he has sandwiched scoreless one-inning and now three-inning appearances around that and owns a 6:2 K:BB over six total frames. Gasser is one of Milwaukee's top prospects and is in the mix for a rotation spot with the big club, but with him not yet on the 40-man roster, the Brewers could assign him to the minors in order to retain other pitchers that are.