MLB Player News

Clemens didn't fare well in his Cactus League debut, giving up three runs on four hits while walking one and striking out none in a two-inning start.

This was not the start Clemens was hoping for when you consider he is one of several options vying for a rotation spot on the Opening Day roster. All of the damage was done on a three-run shot by Nelson Cruz in the first inning. Clemens has struggled with keeping the ball in the yard, allowing 1.8 HR/9 in 71.1 innings last season. The 29-year-old will have to show more this spring if he wants to stay in competition for a starting job, let alone make the 25-man roster.

Kershaw said that his back was "all good" after making his one-inning appearance against the White Sox on Saturday, the Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw has insisted that his back is healthy heading into this season, so much so that he was very dismissive when reporters asked him about it after Saturday's game. The three-time Cy Young winner was limited to 21 starts last season due to back issues, but it sounds like the injury is his rear-view mirror. Owners can rest easy knowing that the top pitcher in fantasy is completely healthy heading into the season.

Cabrera threw a shutout inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Blue Jays, allowing one hit and one walk, and the stadium radar gun recording him hitting 100 mph with his fastball on four separate pitches, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Stadium guns can be a little generous, but that's still ridiculous velocity for the last week of February. Cabrera will fill a setup role for the Braves this season behind closer Jim Johnson, and attempt to get his results to match the raw stuff he brings to the mound after he managed just a 7.5 K/9 in 38.1 major league innings last year.

Cole has officially been named the Pirates' Opening Day starter, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It will be the first career Opening Day start for Cole, who will take the mound on Apr. 3 against the Red Sox. The 26-year-old struggled with injuries last season and will look to rediscover his 2015 form, which saw him win 19 games while posting a 2.60 ERA.

Cueto is not expected to arrive in camp this weekend as he attempts to obtain a visa for his father, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Cueto has been working out in the Dominican Republic through the entirety of spring camp as he takes care of his ill father, a trend which will continue indefinitely. There's no concern the All-Star pitcher will miss Opening Day, though he may not be available for the World Baseball Classic, which begins Mar. 9. His return to the U.S. is still up in the air for now.

Ryu will throw another live batting practice session as his next assignment, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ryu was impressive in throwing batting practice Friday and there was speculation he would return to game action as the next step in his training regimen. Evidently, it appears the Dodgers are being cautious with the young southpaw as he makes his way back from a litany of injuries over the last two seasons.

Lugo tossed two scoreless innings Friday in the Mets' Grapefruit League opener against the Red Sox, allowing no hits and walking two while striking out three.

The strikeouts are nice to see after Lugo posted just a 6.3 K/9 in his first taste of the big leagues last year, but this early in the spring pitchers tend to be far ahead of hitters. The 27-year-old right-hander will join Team Puerto Rico for the first round of the WBC in March before rejoining the Mets and continuing his push to win the fifth starter role.

Greinke threw his first live batting practice of spring training Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Greinke is in the midst of a "slow-played" spring camp as he makes his way back from a season-ending shoulder injury. The 33-year-old reportedly threw 20 pitches under supervision and said he felt everything went well, so expect him to ramp up activity in the coming weeks. Greinke is coming off a rough first season with Arizona in which he posted a 4.37 ERA while serving up 23 home runs.

Cole will throw two innings in a simulated game Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Cole dealt with bouts of elbow inflammation last season and has been cautiously eased into spring training activity. After finishing fourth in Cy Young voting in 2015, he recorded a career-worst 3.88 ERA last season and was shut down in September. Nonetheless, if all goes well, expect the former All-Star to see Grapefruit League action soon.

Asher made his spring debut Friday against the Yankees, allowing two hits --including a solo homer -- over two innings while striking out two.

Asher found success last season after adding a two-seam fastball and featuring it heavily while going 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in five starts late in the year with the Phillies. He has added a cutter this spring to complement his two-seamer, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Unless a starter is injured in camp, Asher is expected to open the year in the rotation at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, though there have been some reports that he could also be a candidate for a relief role.