MLB Player News

Buehler faced teammates Brad Miller and Omar Estevez on Saturday in a 21-pitch simulated game, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The media members that observed the outing offered positive reviews for Buehler, who ended his day with strikeouts of both players. Buehler has yet to make his Cactus League debut, but that's merely a result of the Dodgers' preference to manage his workload carefully ahead of the regular season. Per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Buehler will throw one more live batting practice session or simulated game before being incorporated into the Dodgers' spring pitching schedule.

Gray (elbow) will start Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Gray experienced no unexpected soreness in his right elbow following his live batting practice session Tuesday, clearing the way for him to re-enter Cincinnati's spring pitching schedule. After taking the hill for his Cactus League debut this weekend, Gray will likely make another appearance or two in exhibition play to get his arm sufficiently conditioned for the start of the regular season.

Freeland (illness) tossed a 25-pitch simulated game Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland had been scheduled to start Friday's Cactus League game against the Rangers but was scratched after falling ill shortly before game time. After getting a day off to recover from the stomach bug, Freeland felt good during Saturday's session and should slot back into the Rockies' pitching schedule March 13 versus the Diamondbacks.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he hasn't ruled out Kershaw (shoulder) for the Dodgers' Opening Day assignment March 28 versus the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has yet to resume mound work since first experiencing shoulder discomfort in late February, but he's at least made some progress in his recovery. He most recently played catch off flat ground from 60 feet Friday and will extend his distance to 150 feet Saturday before potentially getting the green light for a bullpen session in the days to follow, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News. Given how many benchmarks Kershaw still needs to clear and with Opening Day less than three weeks away, it remains more likely than not that Roberts will be forced to turn to a different starter to kick off the season.

The Pirates optioned Keller to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

The Pirates' top pitching prospect always looked destined to open 2019 in the minors with the front office only considering Jordan Lyles, Steven Brault and Nick Kingham for the final spot in the Opening Day rotation. None of the trio will be assured a starting gig all season, however, so Keller could easily push his way into the Pirates' rotation plans with a strong showing at Triple-A early on. The 22-year-old had a rough go of the International League in 2018, supplying a 4.82 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 10 starts.

Fried gave up one run on two hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings of relief in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 25-year-old southpaw is still technically in the running for a rotation spot, but it's illuminating that the Braves used him in long relief here behind the returning Kevin Gausman (shoulder). If Gausman can't ramp things up in time for his first turn through the rotation, Fried seems ready to fill in given his sharp 8:2 K:BB through 7.1 spring innings, but otherwise a bullpen assignment -- or a return to Triple-A Gwinnett where he can stay stretched out -- are more likely scenarios.

Brubaker was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Brubaker was one of eight cuts announced by the Pirates as the team trimmed its major-league camp roster down to 54. He'll likely be included in the Indianapolis rotation for the second straight season after turning in a 3.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 96:36 K:BB in 119 innings (22 starts) for the affiliate in 2018.

Wood (back) faced eight batters over two innings in a simulated game Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "Just health and getting that first one since my back cropped up," Wood said. "I definitely felt good from that standpoint and hopefully I will recover well tomorrow and make my next start."

The Reds are optimistic that Wood will be ready by Opening Day, but not dead certain. "I wouldn't want to say that yet, but I wouldn't want to not say it either," manager David Bell said. "I think it's still possible. It's kind of one step at a time. There's still time to get it done. Again, we're not super concerned with getting him by Opening Day. I think within the first week to 10 days, that's probably a realistic target. At the same time, I'm not ready to say he's not going to be ready day one, two, three, four or five. It could happen."

Syndergaard struck out eight over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits without a walk.

The impact on his ERA wasn't ideal, but the key takeaway was Thor's impressive display of dominance. The right-hander now boasts a 14:5 K:BB through only 8.2 spring innings, and Syndergaard is on course to be more than ready to take his initial turn as the Mets' No. 2 starter.

Though Gausman (shoulder) gave up four hits and three earned runs over 1.1 innings in his return to action Friday, he felt positive overall, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "My arm feels good," Gausman said. "It feels really quick right now. My body is working really well with it. Everything I'm doing [in the trainer's room] to get my shoulder right for the season and the important games is paying off. The ball is coming out good and it has life through the zone. That's kind of what you look for. The biggest thing right now is being healthy."

All that said, Gausman is still a little behind right now. The Braves and Gausman feel he'll have enough time to be ready for his first turn through the rotation, but these next couple of spring training starts are important for him in the process of getting up to speed.