MLB Player News

Ynoa threw three scoreless innings Friday against the Twins before running into trouble in the fourth and getting lifted, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "The first three innings were outstanding," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said afterwards. "I kind of dwell more on that than the next inning."

Superficially, Ynoa's 9.00 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over three appearances (two starts) and seven innings this spring wouldn't seem to mark him as a candidate to break camp on the big-league roster. However, all the damage against him occurred either in his final frame of the day as fatigue set in, or via the next pitcher up allowing inherited runners to score. Ynoa has also piled up an impressive 12 strikeouts. "I don't know where he's going to fit," Snitker said. "We're continuing to get him stretched out. He's absolutely right in the mix with everybody." Atlanta will likely need to fill a rotation spot to begin the season until Mike Soroka (Achilles) is ready, and Ynoa is battling Bryse Wilson and Kyle Wright for that vacancy. Whoever falls short could either head to Triple-A to stay stretched out, or handle a long relief role in the big-league bullpen.

Soroka (Achilles) will throw in a simulated game Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka threw two innings during a simulated game this past Sunday, and he'll have another throwing session less than a week later. The right-hander has progressed well in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, but Atlanta still hasn't provided a timetable for his return.

Lucchesi made his first appearance of the spring Friday and tossed two scoreless innings against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander looked a little jittery by beginning the outing with a walk, a throwing error and a wild pitch, but he settled down and retired the next six batters. Lucchesi was pitching the eighth and ninth innings, however, long after any Miami regulars had left the game, and while he remains part of the battle for the No. 5 starter spot in the Mets rotation, he has a lot of work to do to catch up to David Peterson. Whether Lucchesi can avoid beginning the season in long relief could come down to the health of Carlos Carrasco's elbow.

Falter was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Falter was added to the Phillies' 40-man roster during the offseason and spent the start of spring training with the major-league coaching staff. He made one relief appearance in early March and gave up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over one inning.

Senzatela (hamstring) threw two innings during a simulated game Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Senzatela's recovery has progressed smoothly since he suffered a hamstring strain in early March. He's successfully thrown twice in the past three days and could return to Cactus League games soon. Manager Bud Black is hopeful that Senzatela will be able to begin the season in the rotation.

Gallen allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Friday's spring game against the Angels.

Gallen made his third spring start and continued a natural progression, adding pitches and innings. "The rust is starting to come off," he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "The ball felt like it was coming out clean." Gallen has allowed six hits and four walks over 8.1 scoreless innings.

Howard signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Howard spent the first five years of his career with the Reds before he was released in June 2019, but he'll return to the team on a minor-league deal. The 2014 first-round pick will report to minor-league camp for the final few weeks of spring training.

Finnegan was officially invited to big-league camp Friday.

The move seems to indicate Finnegan is being considered for a major-league roster spot. He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2018, but he's still just 27 years old and his 4.11 career ERA is a perfectly respectable mark. He isn't on the 40-man roster, but the Reds could be compelled to find room for him in the bullpen if Finnegan continues a strong camp that has seen him post a 0.00 ERA and 5:0 K:BB through five innings.

Miley isn't concerned about the hamstring issue that caused him to be pulled Thursday against the White Sox, calling his removal purely precautionary, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Miley had already gotten in his intended number of pitchers, so he doesn't think the injury will affect his spring buildup in any meaningful way. Players are typically on the optimistic side regarding their own health, but if Miley is able to take his next turn on the mound then there likely won't be any reason to fear for his readiness for Opening Day.

Mikolas (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for seven-to-10 days after undergoing an MRI recently, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Manager Mike Shildt said "early returns are favorable", but the right-hander will still be prevented from throwing for at least a week while dealing with shoulder soreness. Mikolas hasn't officially been ruled out for Opening Day, but it's safe to assume he'll begin the season on the injured list since he hasn't thrown off a mound since Feb. 25 and will likely be unable to build up to a starter's workload.