MLB Player News

Velasquez allowed three runs in just 3.1 innings of work Thursday against the Blue Jays, walking three and allowing five hits, two of which were home runs.

It wasn't all bad for Velasquez, as he did still strike out nine batters, but his Grapefruit League ERA now sits at 12.79. The Phillies are considering skipping his first start of the regular season as the team has three off days in the first eight days of the season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. Even if he's not skipped, Velasquez's rotation spot seems to be clearly the most tenuous among the Phillies' five starters, with Jerad Eickhoff looming if he can prove his health.

Lopez tossed six scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, scattering two hits and striking out five.

Facing most of St. Louis' likely Opening Day lineup, Lopez put the first two batters he faced on board via a single and HBP, but quickly snuffed out the rally with a double play and didn't allow a runner past first base after that. The right-hander has been impressive this spring, posting a 0.90 ERA and 16:1 K:BB over 20 innings, and if he remains on schedule he's lined up to start the Marlins' third game of the season, March 30 at home against the Rockies.

Davies will make the Brewers' starting rotation, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers elected to go with a youth movement, sending Chase Anderson to the bullpen. Injuries limited Davies to just 13 starts last year. He finished the campaign with a 4.77 ERA and threw just one inning in the playoffs. The 26-year-old hasn't been particularly good this spring, either, as he's allowed 14 runs in 16 innings with a mediocre 9:7 K:BB, so it's possible his spot is the most at risk among the Brewers' starters.

Peralta was announced as a member of the Brewers' rotation Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

With Chase Anderson headed to the bullpen, Peralta will open the season in Milwaukee's rotation. The young right-hander posted a 6.14 ERA through 7.1 innings this spring, though he also notched a 0.95 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB during those appearances. He'll look to build off the 4.25 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 he posted in 78.1 innings as a rookie last season.

Wheeler threw 91 pitches in a minor-league game Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Predictably, the results were outstanding as the right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings while striking out six, but the important takeaway is that Wheeler is ready for the regular season. He's set to make his first start of the campaign on the road against the Nationals on March 31.

Burnes was confirmed as a member of the Brewers' starting rotation Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Milwaukee elected to go with all of its young arms, sending Chase Anderson to the bullpen. Burnes had some success as a reliever last season and will look to carry that through to this year as he transitions back to his preferred starting role. In 47 innings (including his work in the postseason), he recorded a 2.49 ERA and 46:12 K:BB.

Woodruff was officially announced as a member of the Brewers' rotation Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff will be rewarded for a strong spring during which he's recorded a 1.84 ERA while striking out 20 batters in 14.2 innings. He turned in a 3.61 ERA with an even better 3.30 FIP in 42.1 innings last season. Chase Anderson will be the odd man out in the Brewers' rotation competition.

Manager Craig Counsell said Anderson will open the season in the bullpen, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After taking a step back in 2018 (3.93 ERA, 5.22 FIP), Anderson stumbled to a 7.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 14 innings this spring, prompting the Brewers to turn to their younger arms -- Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and Zach Davies -- to round out the rotation behind Jhoulys Chacin. "It's time for those young guys to start," Counsell said. The manager acknowledged that Anderson will get a chance to start at some point in 2019, but he'll work primarily in relief moving forward.

Woodruff allowed three earned runs over 5.2 innings in a spring start Wednesday against the Padres. He allowed four hits and posted an 8:1 K:BB in the outing.

Woodruff was tagged for two runs on a homer by Manny Machado and another on a Wil Myers homer after he had exited the game, but he was otherwise effective, limiting baserunners and missing plenty of bats. Woodruff has been exceptional this spring, allowing just the three earned runs over 14.2 innings (1.84 ERA) while allowing just 12 runners to reach base (0.82 WHIP) and piling up an impressive 20 strikeouts. He has not officially been given a spot in the Brewers' rotation, but given the way he has pitched this spring, he is seemingly on track to snag one.

Hamels allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings of work in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He walked two and struck out five.

After logging just nine total innings in his first three starts of the spring, Hamels stretched out a bit Wednesday in a game that featured plenty of regulars from both teams. He was victimized for solo home runs by A.J. Pollock and Corey Seager, and the veteran lefty now has a 5.40 ERA in Cactus League action. Hamels was a revelation for the Cubs after coming over in a deadline deal last summer, and should be expected to post good numbers once the regular season starts.