MLB Player News

Giolito struck out the side in his first Grapefruit League inning Friday.

He finished with another scoreless inning, but the first-inning strikeouts drew all the attention. There's almost no chance that Giolito will break camp on the 25-man roster, but if he keeps racking up K's through the spring and into the minor league season, baseball's top pitching prospect could force his way up to the majors very quickly.

Ramirez earned the win with a a scoreless inning against the Angels on Friday.

Ramirez was limited to just 19 appearances in 2015 due to various injuries, but he's expected to make the team as a reliever.

Urias threw a bullpen session Friday for the first time since tweaking his groin earlier in the week, MLB.com reports.

Urias made it through the bullpen session without problems. He should be able to return to full action soon, but we'll consider him day-to-day until he returns to game action.

Cole (rib) was cleared to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring Friday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

There has been no word yet on how the session went, but no news is usually good news. Cole was slated for a couple simulated innings, each consisting of 15 pitches or so. This injury does not seem to be anything that would jeopardize Cole's status for Opening Day, but we will continue to monitor him until he's pitching in spring games.

Greinke made his Diamondbacks spring debut on Friday, going two innings and giving up one hit while striking out two, Fox Sports Arizona's Steve Berthiaume reports.

All eyes were on Arizona's ace, who signed with the Diamondbacks on a six-year, $206 million contract during the offseason. If Greinke pitches to his potential, he should be a Cy Young contender this year, as he'll be supported by a team that finished second in the NL in runs scored last season.

Martinez faced hitters Friday for the first time since injuring his shoulder last September, Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Martinez took another step in his recovery Friday, as he took on hitters while throwing off a mound. He continues to progress in the right direction, but it remains to be seen when he will make his spring debut. Whenever that day comes, Martinez will need about a month beyond then to build up his stamina for the regular season.

Eickhoff (thumb) faced hitters Thursday in a live batting practice session, the PhillyVoice reports.

Eickhoff could get into his first spring training game next week. He has been sidelined since the start of camp with a small displaced fracture in his thumb.

Ray was impressive in his Cactus League debut Thursday, retiring six straight batters over two innings after allowing a leadoff double, the team's official site reports.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale recently dubbed Ray the favorite for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, and spring outings like this should solidify his grip on the job. Ray is competing with Zack Godley, who gave up a three-run home run on Thursday, and Archie Bradley, who pitched two hitless innings on Wednesday.

Hendricks pitched two innings Thursday in the Cubs' spring opener, giving up one run and striking out four.

Hendricks has the inside track for the No. 5 job in the Cubs' rotation. He did nothing Thursday to hurt his chances.

Velasquez allowed three runs on three hits in two innings of work Wednesday. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Velasquez, acquired in the Ken Giles deal this offseason, is considered the early favorite to fill the final spot in the Phillies' rotation. He hit 96 mph on the radar Wednesday and was already using all of his pitches, according to CSN Philadelphia. His primary competition for the fifth spot includes Brett Oberholtzer, Adam Morgan and David Buchanan.