MLB Player News

Elder gave up one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Facing a Houston lineup that contained the likes of Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, Elder fared much better than he had in his first spring start. The 23-year-old righty is very much in the mix for an Opening Day rotation spot, and he might even be the favorite at the moment with Mike Soroka (hamstring) still having trouble staying healthy and Ian Anderson scuffling so far in camp.

Williams worked two scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, allowing one hit while striking out two without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander threw 20 of 23 pitches for strikes in his second outing of the spring. Williams hasn't given up a run yet through three Grapefruit League innings, and with Stephen Strasburg (ribs) lacking any kind of timetable for his return, he's set to begin the season in the Nationals' rotation. Williams posted good numbers (3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.4 K/9) in 2022 in a swingman role for the Mets, but he'll be a fantasy risk as a full-time starter on what's expected to be a poor team engaged in a rebuild.

Henry allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings of relief in Friday's spring game against Seattle.

Henry bounced back from an unpleasant performance his first time out in the Cactus League. He allowed five runs over 1.1 innings as a starter last Sunday. Even though Henry allowed a couple of runs and two extra-base hits over his first two innings, the left-hander improved and retired the side in order during his final inning. He told Jack Sommers of SI.com that the pitch clock had him huffing and puffing. Henry is in the mix for the No. 5 starter job.

Dunn (shoulder) be shut down for a few months as his right shoulder inflammation heals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Even though he's not undergoing surgery, Dunn may still have trouble returning in 2023 - with recovery, buildup and a rehab assignment, the best-case scenario appears to be a late-season return. The right-hander struggled mightily in 2022 with the Reds, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 31 innings.

Stroman should be in line to start for the Cubs on Opening Day after pitching in the World Baseball Classic, though Chicago manager David Ross hasn't set his rotation in stone, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

With Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) on the shelf, Stroman is the natural candidate to lead Chicago's rotation to begin the season. The righty will pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic before returning to the Cubs. He registered a solid 3.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 2022, though he only struck out 119 batters across 138.2 innings. That's in line with his career norms, as Stroman has never been a huge source of strikeouts.

Kelly allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Kelly made his Cactus League debut and only start before heading off to the World Baseball Classic. He was scheduled to throw three innings or 45 pitches but was pulled after 34 pitches and 1.1 innings. This being spring training, he was allowed to come back in the third inning and retired Seattle's 2-3-4 hitters on 11 pitches. Kelly's coming off his best MLB season in 2022 as he limited walks and long balls, but at age 34, he could be due for age-related decline in 2023.

Painter is undergoing tests on his right elbow after alerting trainers to some soreness in the area Friday, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.

Painter showed electric stuff during his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday but evidently came out of the appearance with some tenderness in his pitching elbow. The results of the testing are expected to be available Saturday. Painter won't turn 20 until next month, but the top prospect has an outside shot to break camp as a member of the Phillies' rotation. Even if tests don't reveal anything serious, it seems likely the right-hander will be shut down for a while as the organization proceeds cautiously with him.

Woodford has allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings across two Grapefruit League appearances.

Katie Woo of The Athletic reports Woodford's velocity on his fastball is up a bit, and he's refined his slider and changeup. While it is early, these are positive developments for Woodford, who had a fairly mediocre 4.5 K/9 across 48.1 big-leagues innings last season. He also maintained a 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while working as a multi-inning reliever. The competition for a rotation spot is crowded, which means he'll likely have to settle for a bullpen role again, though that decision isn't expected to come until much closer to the start of the regular season.

Gallen threw a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game Thursday, Michael Reynolds of MLB.com reports.

Gallen, the Diamondbacks' projected No. 1 starter, is expected to make his Cactus League debut next week. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the right-hander could throw up to four innings when he makes his spring debut.

Nelson allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking one over 1.2 innings in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Nelson, who is in the mix for the final spot in the rotation, had a second consecutive rocky outing to begin the Cactus League, raising his spring ERA to 23.63 through 2.2 innings. It's wise for fantasy managers to recognize that pitchers are working on things during spring training, so results aren't primary. That's a point the right-hander made to Michael Reynolds of MLB.com when discussing the two-run, first-inning home run Freddie Freeman hit on a changeup, a pitch Nelson wouldn't normally throw to a hitter like Freeman. "Sometimes my plan doesn't line up with how to attack these hitters [in spring training]," Nelson said. "I probably shouldn't have thrown that changeup in the zone, but I'm just trying to fill up the zone with all my pitches right now." Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is confident Nelson will settle in with more reps and innings.