MLB Player News

Corbin (0-1) gave up four runs on eight hits, including three home runs, over seven innings in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Four pitches into the start, Corbin was already down 2-0, having allowed a single to DJ LeMahieu and a two-run home run to Trevor Story. LeMahieu later added a homer of his own, as did Ryan Raburn. Last season, Corbin allowed a total of nine home runs in 85 innings after returning from Tommy John surgery. On a positive note, Corbin was able to get 10 ground-ball outs and did not issue a free pass, and he had a 24:3 K:BB with one home run allowed during spring ball. He lines up to face the Dodgers and Padres next week.

Maeda (1-0) shut out the Padres over six innings in his MLB debut Wednesday, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out four.

If his big spring didn't have you convinced that the nearly 28-year-old righty was ready to make the transition to the majors, this season-opening outing -- the Dodgers' third shutout of the Padres in as many games -- should help. He even hit a homer, meaning the Japanese import outperformed three days' worth of the San Diego offense all by himself. Maeda may not rack up big strikeout totals, but his excellent command and ground-balling ways (13 of them against only two fly balls in this one) should help him find plenty of success in the Dodgers' rotation. He'll face a stiffer test Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, but there's no need to be afraid of rolling him out in the tough matchup.

Nicasio (1-0) struck out seven without a walk while allowing just two hits and one run (a solo homer) over six innings in Monday's win against Pittsburgh.

If Nicasio's spectacular spring with tons of strikeouts wasn't enough to convince you that he's turned over a new leaf, this game should spark some regret in those who were skeptical about a Pittsburgh turnaround for the 29-year-old righty. It wasn't hard to be that way, considering the ugliness of Nicasio's career numbers and the fact that he spent essentially all of last season in the Dodgers' bullpen, but Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage's latest reclamation project looks ready to leave those struggles in the past.

Nola was spectacular against the Reds on Wednesday, striking out eight without a walk while allowing just a run on four hits over seven innings, only to see new closer Dalier Hinojosa blow his win in the ninth inning.

He was right on point, throwing an impressive 73 of 95 pitches for strikes, but this could be a storyline that repeats itself a number of times this year. Although Nola's already the de facto ace of this team after a strong MLB debut in 2015, he'll have to deal with a subpar offense and bullpen all season long. The 22-year-old is a good bet to turn in solid ratios, but it'll be a challenge to rack up many wins.

Finnegan struck out nine Phillies over six innings Wednesday, allowing just two run on three hits and a walk, but didn't receive a decision in an eventual 3-2 win.

Despite the lack of a reward, this was a spectacular first outing of the year for Finnegan, who recovered brilliantly after allowing a two-run homer to Maikel Franco in the first inning, shutting the Phillies down almost entirely thereafter. The nearly 23-year-old lefty's shown great strikeout ability before, but walks have been an issue for him in the past; if he can control his pitches this well consistently, Finnegan could be in for a breakout year, although the Reds may not be good enough to get him a lot of wins.

Kolek underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins have not confirmed the report, but Kolek felt soreness in his elbow at the end of spring training, and after receiving several opinions, the decision was apparently made to send him under the knife. Kolek was taken second overall in the 2014 draft and is one of the Marlins' top prospects, but he will now be forced to spend this season recovering and rehabbing, with an eye toward getting back on the mound at some point roughly 12 months down the road.

Strasburg (1-0) allowed six hits and three walks to the Braves on Wednesday, but limited the damage to a single run while striking out four in a 3-1 victory.

Despite not quite being at his sharpest, Strasburg got out of trouble pretty much every time he got into it, making Atlanta leave a small village on base. Fortunately for him and the rest of the NL East, this wasn't exactly a high degree-of-difficulty outing -- the Braves are shaping up to be the whipping boys of the division. Strasburg's scheduled to draw them again Tuesday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him improve on this outing.

Anderson (oblique) progressed to throwing long toss Wednesday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Anderson has been sidelined since mid-March with this oblique issue, but it appears he is progressing nicely. He has yet to throw off a mound, but he should be close to returning once he does get to that point in his rehab process.

DeSclafani (oblique) felt great after pitching a simulated game Wednesday, meaning he should be good to go for his scheduled start Sunday, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

DeSclafani stated that he's been pain-free for the last week, which is an extremely encouraging sign. He seems very much on track to make his first start of the season Sunday, although a confirmation should come closer to Sunday's game.

Corbin, who will make his season debut today against the Rockies, plans on incorporating his changeup more, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

In his breakout 2013 season, Corbin relied almost entirely on a fastball-slider combo. The 27-year-old lefty said he wants to use his changeup more this season against both righty and lefty hitters, and an opposing scout said the pitch "was a lot better this spring."