MLB Player News

Webb didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Marlins, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander blanked Miami over six frames, but after walking Joey Wendle on four pitches to begin the seventh, Webb was replaced by Dominic Leone and watched Wendle come around to score two batters later. The win then slipped through his fingers when Camilo Doval blew the save in the top of the ninth. Webb still got his season off to a flying start, and he'll look to keep that momentum going Wednesday at home against the Padres.

Nola (1-0) allowed four runs on four hits in six innings while striking out seven in a 9-5 win Friday over Oakland.

Nola was very efficient through the first six innings, needing just 65 pitches and limiting Oakland to a solo home run and a hit batsman. However, in the seventh, the 28-year-old allowed hits to the first three batters he faced, culminating with a three-run home run by Seth Brown, and was promptly removed. The potent Philadelphia offense staked Nola a sizeable lead and set the former All-Star up for his first victory of the season.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander threw only 44 of 83 pitches for strikes before exiting with Miami down 3-0, but a ninth-inning rally took him off the hook for a loss. Considering he posted a career-best 6.0 percent walk rate in 2021, this performance can be chalked up to an abbreviated spring buildup. Alcantara will look to sharpen his control in his next start Thursday against the Phillies, in the Marlins' home opener.

Contreras was recalled by the Pirates on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras is one of the Pirates' top pitching prospects. He was called up for a single three-inning start last September but otherwise has only made one other start above Double-A. He was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in late March but will be back for another opportunity already. Exactly what his role will be is unclear. Reliever Duane Underwood (hamstring) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. Contreras could work out of the bullpen in his place or enter the rotation and push a different pitcher to that role.

Walker (knee) completed a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday and will start Monday's game against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander exited his final start of spring training Tuesday with knee soreness, but he had no issues during Friday's bullpen session and is ready for his 2022 debut. It's still worth monitoring Walker's status for the immediate future, as he was limited to begin spring training while recovering from a knee debridement procedure he underwent in January. He could at least face a workload restriction in his first couple outings of the campaign.

Priester landed on the 7-day injured list with Double-A Altoona on Friday due to an oblique injury, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The exact nature and severity of Priester's injury have not yet been announced. Priester is a fairly interesting prospect but is unlikely to make his big-league debut this season, as he spent all of last season at High-A Greensboro.

Kershaw will make his season debut Wednesday against the Twins, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias are starting during the season-opening series in Colorado, and Kershaw will take the ball for the second game of the series in Minnesota. The veteran left-hander appears to be fully healthy and threw 75 pitches in a simulated game Thursday, so he shouldn't face any significant restrictions in his first start of 2022.

Webb will be on a pitch count Friday against the Marlins, though the Giants didn't specify what that pitch count would be, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The pitch count will hurt Webb's chances at getting a win, though he'll hardly be alone in that regard, as many pitchers won't be fully built up following the shortened spring training. Webb reached four innings in his final spring tune-up start, so it's still very possible that he can reach five innings Friday.

Ashby (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs after giving up one run on three hits and a walk over 1.2 innings of relief. He struck out one in the 41-pitch appearance.

On Wednesday manager Craig Counsell said Ashby "will make starts this year," but the skipper noted that the Brewers are waiting to decide whether the 23-year-old will be part of a six-man rotation to begin the season, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Though he came on in relief of ace Corbin Burnes in the season opener, Ashby's workload won't necessary preclude him from making a start as soon as next week. After Friday's game in Chicago was postponed due to rain, the Brewers will have a stretch of 12 games in 12 days, so Ashby could be added to the rotation at some point during that period if the Brewers want to give each of their other five starters an extra rest day.

Woodruff won't make his scheduled start Friday against the Cubs as the game has been postponed due to poor weather, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in late May. The Brewers will push their starters back a day, so Woodruff will take his turn Saturday at Wrigley Field, lining him up for a start in Baltimore the following Thursday.