MLB Player News

Houser gave up one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

In his first game action of the spring, Houser tossed 15 of 23 pitches for strikes and was able to handle a Miami lineup that included a number of Opening Day starters such as Luis Arraez and Jazz Chisholm. Houser hasn't made more than 21 big-league starts in a season since 2021, but the Mets expect the 31-year-old right-hander to help solidify the back end of their rotation this year.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Ashcraft (toe) will make his Cactus League debut "within the next week," Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft has been slow-played this spring as he comes back from last September's right big toe surgery. The big right-hander has already been facing hitters and is poised for game action in a few days. Barring setbacks, Ashcraft will have time to be ready for Opening Day.

Puk struck out three and walked one over two scoreless, no-hit innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

New York's lineup didn't feature many regulars beyond Francisco Alvarez, and Puk breezed through the top part of the order on 26 pitches (18 strikes). The 28-year-old lefty is getting stretched out for a potential rotation spot in camp after making his first 142 career big-league appearances in relief, but Puk was a starter in the minors prior to moving to the bullpen due to injury and control concerns. Even if he pitches well in longer stints this spring, his chances of winning an Opening Day rotation spot could ultimately be determined by the health of the Marlins' other options.

Sale struck out four batters over two perfect innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The veteran southpaw fired 16 of 25 pitches for strikes and overpowered a lineup that likely featured most of Pittsburgh's Opening Day starters, with his strikeout victims including Oneil Cruz and Yasmani Grandal. Sale said at the beginning of camp that he was coming off his healthiest offseason in years, offering some optimism that he can still deliver dominant results when he's on the mound, but the 34-year-old hasn't thrown at least 150 innings in a season since 2018.

Phillips walked one and struck out two over two hitless and scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs.

Phillips turned in a strong performance in his spring debut, following an equally impressive outing from starter Frankie Montas. Due to injuries in the Reds' rotation last season, the 22-year-old right-hander was forced to make his MLB debut earlier than expected. Cincinnati has a number of starter candidates in camp and may not be so reliant on its prospects in 2024. Phillips is expected to be part of the rotation at Triple-A Louisville.

Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over one-plus innings in Tuesday's spring start against Texas.

Rodriguez, who signed a four-year deal with Arizona during the offseason, had a rough debut in a Diamondbacks uniform. Just 20 of his 38 offerings landed in the zone, and the left-hander gave up two home runs. Despite the results and shaky command, Rodriguez focused on the positives. "My command was a little off, but overall I was feeling good," the pitcher told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "My velocity was right where we wanted it, like 90-92 mph up to 93 sometimes, so overall everything was good. Just location, a little bit, but that's what we've got spring training for." Rodriguez should get another four or five Cactus League starts to build up his pitch count and work on command.

Abbott is battling with Nick Martinez, and to a lesser extent, Brandon Williamson, for the Reds' fifth starter job, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott is off to a good start this spring, but it's noteworthy that his spot in the rotation isn't a sure thing. The way the job battle has been framed by Goldsmith is that Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, Nick Lodolo (lower leg) and Graham Ashcraft all have spots provided they are healthy. However, Lodolo, Montas and Ashcraft are all coming back from injury, so this situation is pretty fluid.

Gray gave up two hits over two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It was an impressive start to the exhibition schedule for Gray, who was facing a New York lineup anchored by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor along with a handful of top prospects like Luisangel Acuna and Drew Gilbert. Gray still needs to demonstrate improved control and command to become a reliable fantasy asset, so the lack of walks Monday might be more important for his 2024 outlook than the Ks.

Buehler (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday for the first time this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers are bringing Buehler along carefully this spring after he missed virtually the entire 2023 season following Tommy John surgery. He is not expected to make any Cactus League appearances and instead will stay behind at extended spring training for the start of the regular season. The Dodgers have been vague about a timetable for Buehler's season debut, but it doesn't seem likely to happen before the end of April.

Corbin is scheduled to make his second Grapefruit League start Thursday versus the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Corbin struck out four of the nine batters he faced Saturday in the Nationals' spring opener against the Astros, but he was touched up for two earned runs on three hits (two singles, one triple) and also conceded a stolen base. At this stage of Corbin's career, spring training is more about building innings than turning in quality results, but even if the 34-year-old lefty is lights out in his subsequent Grapefruit League outings, fantasy players should have some degree of skepticism about him carrying over any success into the regular season. Over each of his last three campaigns in Washington, Corbin has taken at least 31 starts in every season, but he hasn't turned in an ERA better than 5.20 or a WHIP lower than 1.47 and has seen his strikeout percentage decline in each successive year.