MLB Player News

Kelly allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three over 2.2 innings in Monday's spring game against the Giants.

Kelly, who threw in relief last week, made his first start of the spring and will be building up as a starter during camp. The right-hander threw 49 pitches Monday. Kelly's still not assured of a spot in the rotation, but he could be the replacement if Mike Leake (left wrist) is not ready for the start of the regular season. In two spring outings, Kelly has allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings.

Urias pitched two-thirds of an inning against Cincinnati on Monday, allowing two unearned runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Though the unearned runs charged to Urias were partly a result of Justin Turner's fielding error leading off the inning, the southpaw nonetheless struggled in his first Cactus League appearance of the season. That shouldn't put his status at risk, however, as manager Dave Roberts has already confirmed Urias' place in the rotation to begin the campaign.

Paddack did not allow a run in three innings of work in a Cactus League matchup against the White Sox on Monday. He gave up two hits and one walk while striking out one.

Paddack not only held the White Sox scoreless in the start, he did so while working on his worst pitch. Per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Paddack threw curveballs on nine of 42 pitches as part of a committed effort to improve his third offering. Should he find success with the pitch this season, the 24-year-old could further distinguish himself among the game's best young hurlers.

Keller gave up three runs on three hits and one walk in 2.1 innings against Toronto on Monday. He struck out a pair of batters.

He surrendered a two-run homer to Danny Jansen among the hits he allowed. After an encouraging first spring start, Keller's Grapefruit League earned-run average has climbed to 7.50 through three appearances and six innings. The expected loss of Steven Brault (shoulder) helps Keller's chances of sticking in the rotation, but he's not setting himself apart from the team's other options.

Hendricks tossed three perfect innings with three strikeouts in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Hendricks has been dialed in to begin the spring, as he's allowed just one hit and no runs in his first five innings of work. Yu Darvish and Jon Lester might grab more headlines in Chicago, but Hendricks has been outstanding for the Cubs since his debut in 2014. Last season, the righty posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 177 innings of work, and similar numbers should be expected in 2020 from one of the league's most consistent starters.

Manager Brian Snitker said there's no timetable for Hamels (shoulder) to resume throwing, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Hamels reported to camp near the end of February but has yet to pick up a throwing program due to a shoulder issue he first experienced in January. The veteran left-hander was hoping to resume throwing in early March, but that no longer appears to be the case after he was recently re-evaluated. As such, it sounds like there's a good chance Hamels will miss all of April as he continues to work back to full health.

Urena has converted to pitching only from the stretch rather than using a windup with the bases empty, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander finished an erratic 2019 season in the bullpen, and he grew used to pitching exclusively from the stretch during that time. "I feel comfortable," Urena said. "That's something that I've been working on to get a good tempo... We hope to find a way to get the results I'm looking for." The results have indeed been promising to begin the spring as he competes for a rotation spot -- Urena has a 4:0 K:BB through five scoreless innings over his first two outings.

Wright allowed one hit and struck out five over three scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "He was really, really good," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said after the game. "When you look at stuff, he was really good. I think he's more versed, he's more ready for this fight than he was a year ago. He's got another year under his belt, experiencing what he's experienced."

The 24-year-old right-hander has yet to give up a run through five innings to begin the spring with a 7:0 K:BB. Wright's fast start is a continuation of his impressive run in the second half last year at Triple-A Gwinnett, and the organization's No. 3 fantasy prospect is an early leader in the race to win one of the two open spots in Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

Wacha is already showing his typical midseason velocity, sitting 92-94 mph with his fastball Sunday and touching 95, Ken Davidoff of The New York Post reports. "I think in the spring, usually it's a tick lower than when I'm in the regular season," the 28-year-old said after the game. "In the regular season, I'm usually from [ninety]-two to -four, touch -five a little, -six every now and then. Right now, I just know it's coming out nice and feeling good."

The right-hander has made 30 starts only twice in the last five seasons, and his erratic track record forced him to sign an incentive-laden one-year deal with the Mets this winter. Wacha worked to correct some mechanical issues during the offseason in addition to improving his overall fitness, however, and the results have been positive so far. "Just trying to stay through the ball a little more," he said. "I had gotten a rough patch in my mechanics where I was pulling off on my left side. Probably showing the ball a little bit early. Not really fluid mechanics from what I was used to. Just watched quite a bit of video this offseason to get back to where I needed to be. Definitely made the right changes." Wacha is in a spring battle with Steven Matz and Rick Porcello for the final two spots in the Mets rotation.

Houser left Monday's B game with thumb tightness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser was scheduled to throw three innings in Monday's game, but he exited after 2.1 innings after he experienced a little thumb tightness. General manager David Stearns downplayed the severity following the game, saying that Houser left because he didn't want to push it. His status is worth monitoring going forward, but early reports are that the issue could be relatively minor.