MLB Player News

Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez has picked up where he left off in 2013. His streak of 13 hitless innings, which included a no-hitter against Detroit to finish the season, finally ended when he yielded a single to Atlanta outfielder B.J. Upton on Wednesday.

Mike Redmond has been particularly impressed this spring with Alvarez. "He looked similar to me," he told MLB.com. "...I think he, probably unlike anyone else we have, is able to pitch successfully at 89 [mph], and then he can throw 96 when he needs to. That's the beauty of Henderson Alvarez. He's crafty when he wants to (be). When he wants to turn it on, he can turn it on."

Alvarez closed strong last season, during which he was 5-6 with a 3.59 ERA that was far superior to the 4.85 ERA he recorded in 2012. He is penciled in as the third starter in 2014.

While Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has been spectacular in three starts this spring, the team still hasn't decided what his role will be in 2014, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"It’s a question still to be determined," pitching coach Derek Lilliquist said. "We know what Carlos can do in the eighth inning. We’re kind of watching to see how he handles himself as a starter.

"At some point in his career, he’s going to be a dynamite starter. But what makes the Cardinals a better team this year?"

Martinez's performance this spring isn't making the decision easy for manager Mike Matheny, who might have to remove a starter from the rotation to accommodate Martinez.

"I can’t put percentages on it," Matheny said of Martinez's chances of starting. "The big picture is that he can pitch. It’s not worth him spending time on it. I understand and appreciate he would like to start. We’ve got a lot of guys in that situation. But if he gets people out, he’s going to make it very interesting."

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley surrendered one earned run on four hits and one walk in five innings while striking out five in Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Miley has only give up two earned runs in 14 innings through his first three spring appearances, giving him a 1.29 ERA to go with an 11:3 K:BB ratio. His numbers are far superior to those from last spring, when he posted a 7.43 ERA and 8:6 K:BB ratio in four starts.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke gave up three earned runs on six hits in two innings while striking out two and surrendering one home run in his return to action against the Diamondbacks Wednesday.

Greinke said he was "disappointed" with his elevated location Wednesday, which led to the home run and multiple line drives. "It happens to me a lot early in Spring Training," he told MLB.com after the start. "It's really frustrating. It happens when I'm tired. I can't help it, even when I'm trying not to do it. It's my arm not being in shape, I guess."

Greinke recorded just one out in his spring debut before suffering the calf injury that will sideline him for the team's opening series in Australia. He's working his way towards being ready for the team's first regular-season series back stateside.

Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez turned in another promising start Wednesday, leading St. Louis to a 6-4 win against the Mets. Martinez (1-0) tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk, while striking out three.

Martinez hasn't allowed a run and just three hits in seven March innings. He has a 1.80 ERA through three spring starts (10 innings). He also has five strikeouts and has issued just two walks.

Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood kept his unblemished ERA intact through his third start of the spring Wednesday against the Nationals. Wood allowed just an unearned run on four hits and one walk in four innings, while striking out two.

Wood has allowed just one unearned run through nine innings. He has six strikeouts to one walk. He has hit two batters this spring.

Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole took to the mound Wednesday against the Twins for the second time this spring and first time since late February. Cole was much improved after posting a 9.00 ERA in his spring debut Feb. 28 against the Blue Jays.

On Wednesday, Cole allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk, while striking out three in three innings. He lowered his ERA to 3.60.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez put together another strong spring performance Wednesday against a split-squad Braves team. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits and no walks in 3 2/3 innings, while striking out one.

Alvarez's only mistake of the afternoon was serving up a solo home run to Evan Gattis in the fourth inning. Alvarez has allowed just one run in 6 2/3 innings (1.35 ERA) this spring.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke made his return from a calf injury, starting Wednesday's spring game against the Diamondbacks. Greinke had been sidelined since late February.

Nationals pitcher Sammy Solis hasn't appeared in a spring game recently because he's been sidelined with back spasms, per MASNsports.com. Solis has made just one appearance this spring, tossing two scoreless relief innings.