MLB Player News

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn left Sunday's game in the second inning with some type of hand problem. 

After retiring the Marlins in order in the first inning, Lynn walked the first two batters of the second. After the third batter reached on an infield error, Lynn called the trainer to the mound to look at his hand. He was removed from the game.  

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch speculated that blister problems that have plagued Lynn in the past may have returned. Lynn only threw six strikes in 15 second-inning pitches, indicating that a grip problem, like a blister, could have been bothering him.

Adam Wainwright pitched to live hitters, Sunday, for the first time this spring.

The Cardinals pitcher is recovering from an abdominal strain, suffered in February. Wainwright threw approximately 35 pitches. 

"Some good pitches were made out there," Wainwright told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Some rusty pitches were made out there. It’s all about getting back on the mound. I just had a great time. Glad to be out there pitching again. You can throw as many bullpens as you want but when you go out there and crank it up it's a little bit different."

The Yankees have come the closest of any team to landing Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels in trade discussions this offseason, the Boston Globe reports.

The Yankees are reported to have offered a package of prospects that has given the Phillies a baseline for future talks. Hamels has stopped discussing trade possibilities and indicated he was looking forward to pitching for a contender again.

Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA and 198:59 K:BB ratio in 204 2/3 innings last season.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was able to throw batting practice Saturday as a part of his recovery from a back injury that has slowed his progress to begin spring training, reports MLB.com.

Ryu told reporters he is feeling great and is very confident he will be ready at the start of the regular season. Ryu threw 36 pitches to batters Saturday and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt was pleased with his progress.

"It's a work day, and obviously not every ball went exactly where you want it to, but overall I'm very pleased," Honeycutt said.

After pitching a perfect first inning, Stephen Strasburg got batted around in the second inning of his spring debut for the Nationals. 

Strasburg retired the Cardinals in order in the first inning, throwing nine strikes in 12 pitches. He wasn't able to complete the second inning, however, giving up two runs and leaving after hitting his 40-pitch limit with two outs. 

Strasburg finished with a line of 1.2 innings, three hits, two earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts. Twenty six of his 40 pitches were strikes. 

He told Comcast Sportsnet Mid Atlantic's Mark Zuckerman that he was happy with his command of his fastball and curve, but his changeup was cutting on him. 

Strasburg's fastball hit 94 MPH in the game. 

Jacob deGrom was able to pitch an inning longer than expected, after keeping his pitch count low in his spring debut with the Mets.

deGrom pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out one. 

"It's definitely different," deGrom told NJ.com's Mike Vorkunov. "I'd say I was a little more relaxed but I was pretty nervous going out there today. ... I gotta go out there this year and pick up where I left off."

deGrom won the NL Rookie of the Year award last season, going 9-6, with a 2.69 ERA. He is trying to increase his use of the changeup this season and focused on that pitch during his spring debut. 

"That'd be a big pitch to have going right into the season," he said.

Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne and Brandon Morrow impressed during their first taste of spring action, according to MLB.com.

"I thought they threw the ball well," said Padres manager Bud Black. Both Despaigne and Morrow are competing for the fifth spot in the team's rotation. While Despaigne got the start, Morrow came on and pitched two innings in relief.

Both players were effective, keeping the White Sox off the board for four innings. Despaigne struck out two batters to Morrow's one, but they posted identical stat lines otherwise. 

Despite the strong performances, Black said it was far too early to draw any conclusions about who will open the season in the rotation.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who is seeking a trade, took the hill for the first time this spring Friday against the Yankees. Amid rainy conditions, the left-hander allowed one hit and no walks, while striking out two in two shutout innings.

"I guess that’s what you want to do, get in there, throw strikes and execute," Hamels said, per The Philadelphia Daily News. "I’ve been in a lot of springs and I know what I’m supposed to do with a certain pitch count and the first game and trying to build up. I’m not trying to go out there and blow by everybody. I’m just trying to hit my spots. I wasn't able to do it as much. But if you’re able to throw strikes, then I think that works. I had a general area that I needed to throw it in and I think I was able to do so."

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (elbow) threw 36 pitches during his first live batting practice session Wednesday, per The Orange County Register. Greinke is slated to make his first spring start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom is working on perfecting his curveball this spring, according to the New York Post. 

"This spring is so different," deGrom said. "I can really come in here and work on things. Last year when I was over on the big league side, I didn’t throw my curveball one time because I was trying to make the team and prove I could get outs in spring training."

After experiencing some success in the majors, deGrom said he is more willing to work on stuff this time around. While he actually started using his curve more late last season, it seems like deGrom is going to work on perfecting the pitch during camp. 

"It’s a great pitch whether it be strike one or a strikeout pitch," deGrom said. "Talking to Gee, Wheeler and all those guys and see how they throw theirs and taking little bits of information from them and trying it in bullpens. Sometimes I throw it at 78 (mph) and that’s a big difference from the slider. It gets the hitter off balance."

deGrom, 26, posted a 2.69 ERA over 140 1/3 innings last season.