MLB Player News

Quintana allowed one unearned run on four hits over three innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Facing a mix of likely regulars, bench players and prospects, Quintana breezed through 54 pitches (32 strikes), with Washington's lone run coming around in the second inning after a Joey Wendle error on a pickoff attempt at second base. Quintana is on track to be the Mets' Opening Day starter due to Kodai Senga (shoulder) being sidelined, and the former appears to be rounding into midseason form. Through 4.2 spring innings, Quintana has a 7:3 K:BB and has yet to surrender a home run.

Elder struck out six over 3.1 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He gave up one run on two hits and two walks.

The right-hander made 31 starts for Atlanta last season, but he seemed to have fallen behind Reynaldo Lopez in the battle for the fifth starter spot with Opening Day approaching. Elder's performance Thursday announced that he wasn't going down without a fight though, and he did get the start in this one while Lopez entered the game in the fifth inning. Lopez hasn't been a regular starter in the majors since 2019 and hasn't thrown more than 66 innings in either of the last two seasons, so Elder could still have a leg up based on his proven ability to handle a larger workload. Through 7.2 innings this spring, the 24-year-old Elder has a superficially shaky 7.04 ERA, but it comes with a 10:3 K:BB.

Perez (finger) is listed as the Marlins' probable starter for Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The 20-year-old exited his previous start last weekend due to a broken nail on his right middle finger, but that won't affect his availability for Friday. Perez covered 2.1 frames in that start and should continue building up his workload over the final weeks of spring training.

Freeland has increased the velocity on all of his pitches this spring, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

Freeland made his second start of the spring Tuesday and allowed only one earned run across three innings while striking out five. More importantly, he averaged 92.6 mph with his fastball, nearly three ticks higher than his average mark in 2023. Freeland has been able to throw all of his pitches with more velocity, and he credits strengthening his shoulder during the offseason as well as working on his pitch grips for the improved performance.

Gallen allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over two innings in Thursday's spring start against Texas.

Gallen made his Cactus League debut and met trouble immediately, giving up a single and walk to the first two batters, who eventually came around to score with the aide of a wild pitch. He's prepared on the back fields instead of engaging in games; the Diamondbacks opted to ease Gallen into competition after the right-hander threw a career-high 243.2 innings in 2023. Gallen's lined up for three more spring appearances before an expected start Opening Day against Colorado in Phoenix on March 28.

Lauer was signed by the Pirates on a minor-league deal Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Lauer elected free agency in October after the Brewers did not want to give him a raise in arbitration. In 2023, the lefty posted a 6.56 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 46.2 innings. The 28-year-old has had better years, having posted a 3.84 ERA over 288.1 innings during his time in Milwaukee from 2020-22.

Lodolo (tibia) will pitch during the Reds' Cactus League game versus the Guardians on Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo said after a sim game Wednesday that he still doesn't quite feel 100 percent, but manager David Bell said Lodolo has the green light to pitch in exhibition games. It will take time for him to build back up to a starter's workload, and Bell noted the left-hander isn't in the mix to start the Reds' first five regular-season games. Bell brought up April 9 against Milwaukee as a possible date for Lodolo's regular-season debut, but that may change depending on how the rest of the spring plays out for him.

Walker (knee) is on track for either live batting practice or possibly a game Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Coming back from right knee soreness, Walker will throw another bullpen session Friday and, if that goes well, will face hitters in some fashion Monday. The veteran right-hander should still have time to ramp up for his spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he can't afford any more bumps in the road.

Megill struck out six and walked two over three scoreless, no-hit innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The right-hander came into the game a favorite to secure the rotation spot opened up by Kodai Senga's shoulder injury, and Megill looked the part against a New York lineup that featured mainly younger players like Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells and Everson Pereira. Megill did plunk Oswald Peraza with a pitch and threw just 29 of 49 pitches for strikes, but he got some big whiffs with his new splitter. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed only one run through his first eight spring innings with an impressive 13:2 K:BB.

The Mets have been encouraged by Senga's recovery progress so far from a shoulder strain, although the right-hander has yet to begin a throwing program, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports. "We'll wait until he starts playing catch and all that, but as of right now, he's moving in the right direction," manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday.

Senga got a platelet-rich plasma injection in the joint in late February and was shut down completely, but he appears to be getting close to beginning the process of building back up ahead of the regular season. The Mets are optimistic the shoulder issue won't be a long-term concern, and a best-case scenario could see Senga join the rotation in late April or early May.