MLB Player News

Pfaadt allowed two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning in Wednesday's spring start against the Guardians.

Unlike previous starters making their Cactus League debuts, Pfaadt was only scheduled to throw one inning, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. The 25-year-old right-hander said his slider was off but it was good to get the work in. Pfaadt, who was a postseason darling last year, threw a career-high 178.2 total innings in 2023, which may be the reason to control his buildup during camp. Last spring Pfaadt was pitching to earn a roster spot, but this year he's locked into the rotation.

Jones has made two appearances and thrown 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two in Grapefruit League action.

Jones pitched with Triple-A Indianapolis for half of the 2023 season. He struggled a bit at the level, putting up a 4.72 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 82 innings, though his 99:34 K:BB highlights his potential. Jones is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster after the Pirates made multiple additions to the rotation this offseason, but he will almost certainly make his big-league debut at some point in 2024.

Priester threw his slider at an average of 88.7 mph in his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Priester reached the majors in 2023, but he struggled to a 7.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 50 innings in Pittsburgh. One notable problem was a dip in velocity, something he aimed to change by reworking his delivery this offseason. The early returns were positive, as his slider velocity ticked up 3.2 mph compared to the 2023 campaign. The movement on the pitch also changed and now resembles more of a cutter than a slider. Priester is competing for a back-end rotation spot this spring and turned in two perfect innings with one strikeout Wednesday against the Tigers.

Yamamoto tossed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Texas on Wednesday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Yamamoto's first game action in a Dodgers uniform began with a strikeout of Marcus Semien, and the only hit he allowed -- a first-inning single by Evan Carter -- was wiped out by a double play on the following pitch. The right-handed hurler's success in Japan was tied to his ability to strike batters out while limiting homers and walks, and that skill set was evident Wednesday, as Yamamoto punched out half of the six batters he faced while throwing 16 of 19 pitches for strikes. There's already plenty of hype around Yamamoto due to his dominance overseas and the lucrative 12-year deal he received from Los Angeles in December, and his Cactus League debut should provide more fodder for expectations that are already sky high.

Wicks logged three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He allowed four hits and struck out two.

Through two spring appearances, Wicks has now allowed one run across 4.2 innings while striking out three. The lefty is competing for the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' rotation and appears to be off to a good start. His fantasy value would of course go up if he secures a starting role versus a bullpen job or an assignment to Triple-A Iowa. Wicks has some upside and could be poised to take a step forward in his second MLB season.

Ashcraft (toe) will start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell said Wednesday that Ashcraft will make his spring debut "within the next week," and it will end up coming just a day later. The right-hander has been brought along slowly in camp as he returns from September toe surgery, but it shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day given how much time he has to ramp up his workload.

The Rockies placed Senzatela (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Senzatela is expected to miss the entire 2024 season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL was an inevitability. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Sam Hilliard, whom the Rockies claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Wednesday.

Paxton will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Reds, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Paxton had the guaranteed money on his contract lowered when an unspecified issue arose during his physical. However, he hasn't been under any restrictions this spring and is fully expected to be part of the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation.

Buehler (elbow) said he was sitting in the 94-to-95 mph range during live batting practice Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Buehler felt good in the session in what was his first time facing hitters this spring. He expects to require another 3-to-4 live BP sessions before progressing to games. Buehler is not expected to appear in any Cactus League contests and will stay back at extended spring training at the start of the season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Lodolo (tibia) is at least a week away from his Cactus League debut, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell noted that Graham Ashcraft (toe) is slated for his spring debut within the next week, adding that Lodolo's appearance would come after Aschraft's. It's still a relatively vague timetable but further emphasizes that the Reds will be proceeding cautiously with Lodolo this spring after he missed much of last season with a stress reaction to his left tibia. Lodolo acknowledged at the start of camp that while the leg doesn't hurt while he's pitching, it's not yet 100 percent.