MLB Player News

Lynn was removed from Saturday's game after just one inning due to precautionary reasons, according to general manager John Mozeliak, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports. Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Lynn's fastball velocity was below 90 mph on most of his pitches before exiting.

He threw 10 pitches and was in the high 80s on most of his pitches, rather than his customary 93-94 mph range. Lynn told Mozeliak that he was experiencing right rib discomfort but did not seem concerned, however a velocity drop of this magnitude suggests that it could be more than just a day-to-day thing. We will update his status when the Cardinals provide more information.

Gray (foot) is not expected to miss any additional time after his early departure from Friday's outing, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. "It's just a little bit sore. it's getting better day by day. We are just going to take it easy and try to get it back to 100 percent as quick as we can," said Gray.

The Rockies' ace left Friday's start against the Giants with what was initially reported as left foot soreness, but has since been diagnosed as an issue with his big toe. With Opening Day approaching, the Rockies' coaching staff simply did not want to push Gray and risk any further injury. According to Saunders, Gray is aiming to stretch out to 90 pitches in his final spring outing before the Rockies wrap up spring training.

Urena got the start in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals and tossed four shutout innings, scattering three hits while striking out five.

It was his best performance of the spring, although it came against a Washington split-squad lineup consisting of bench players and minor leaguers, and Urena's timing couldn't have been better as the Marlins continue to look for a fifth starter. Adam Conley, his main competition for the job, also had a strong outing Friday, but Urena has posted better numbers this spring. Even if the 25-year-old righty wins the job, though, his fantasy value would be limited to deep NL-only formats until he begins to produce during the regular season.

Williams threw five scoreless innings Friday, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out four. "This was my first outing where I just needed to go out there and let the cards fall and compete," Williams told the Pirates' official site. "I think I did a good job in terms of that."

WIlliams is thought to be on the outside looking in for the team's fifth starter's spot, but he put together his best spring showing Friday. The righty struggled in his brief time with Pittsburgh in 2016 (7.82 ERA in 12.2 innings), but will get another chance to prove himself at some point this summer; it just might not come at the beginning of the season.

Cole threw 98 pitches over seven innings in a minor league game Friday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "We're very satisfied with his work," manager Clint Hurdle said.

He retired nine batters on three pitches or fewer and faced only three three-ball counts. Cole is coming off his worst professional season -- which included three trips to the disabled list -- but so far he's off to a good (and healthy) start.

Teheran gave up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning by striking out Jose Iglesias and Tyler Collins and for the most part Teheran looked ready for the regular season, throwing 59 of his 88 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old will make one more spring start against minor leaguers before his Opening Day assignment for the Braves.

Syndergaard allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts over six innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

He'll make one more start this spring to increase his pitch count, but otherwise Syndergaard seems more than ready for Opening Day. Manager Terry Collins also announced Friday that Rene Rivera would resume his duties as the righty's personal catcher to begin this season due to Travis d'Arnaud's throwing issues, reuniting the battery that closed out 2016.

Cabrera (elbow) will refrain from throwing for a few days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The news further indicates the likelihood that Cabrera begins the season on the DL. The right-hander is coming off a stellar rookie season in which he posted a 2.82 ERA over 41 games and quickly established himself as a nice reliever in the Braves' bullpen. Unfortunately, it appears his 2017 campaign will be temporarily sidelined until he returns to full health.

The Phillies optioned Thompson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Thompson missed most of spring training recovering from a wrist sprain. He will open the season in the Lehigh Valley rotation and should see time with the Phillies later this season.

Gray left Friday's outing due to left foot soreness, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

The Rockies' top pitcher had an early departure from his outing Friday, and because he didn't appear to be favoring anything as he left the mound with the Rockies' training staff. It has since been diagnosed that his left foot, the front foot in his delivery, was ailing him. The extent of his injury has yet to be revealed, so it should just be considered soreness at this time.