MLB Player News

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke felt no discomfort in his right calf as he threw a bullpen session Monday, per MLB.com. He also went through some fielding drills and could return to spring action this week.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. Hamels has been idle for the last week as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury.

Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio has been stellar this spring, tossing seven scoreless innings through two starts. A key to his success has been the improvement of his slider, per The Denver Post.

"Last year, the pitch a lot of times was a ball out of his hands," manager Walt Weiss said. "He's getting swings and misses with it now. And he's throwing his changeup more."

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw surrendered his first home run of the spring on Sunday against the Giants in Cactus League play.

Kershaw allowed a two-run shot to Brandon Hicks in the second inning. The left-hander permitted two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out one over five innings pitched.

Kershaw, set to be one of the two starting pitchers in the Australian series, has allowed 10 runs over his first nine innings of work.

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio turned in a dominant outing, earning the win in Sunday's Cactus League against the Royals.

Nicasio allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out three over four innings pitched. He has not allowed a run over his first seven innings of work this spring.

Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto got back on track Sunday afternoon against the Angels in Cactus League play.

Cueto, who was knocked around in his last start, surrendered only two hits and no walks while striking out two over four scoreless innings. He has allowed six runs over 8 2/3 innings pitched this spring.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler tossed three scoreless innings Sunday against the Braves.

Wheeler got off to an up and down start, giving up two hits, but getting two strikeouts in the first inning. He allowed another hit in the second inning, but that was it. Wheeler walked one, and struck out three during the appearance. 

Wheeler posted a 3.42 ERA in 100 innings last year.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg gave up one run in three innings Sunday.

Strasburg wasn't as sharp as usual, walking the first two hitters he faced. He settled in after that, allowing two hits over three innings. Strasburg did not strike out any batters during the appearance. Strasburg did have a chance to refine the slider he's been working on during camp.

Strasburg posted a 3.00 ERA in 183 innings last year.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton was solid over three innings Sunday.

Morton gave up five hits and one earned run. He was hurt by a Pedro Alvarez error in the second inning. Morton should have been out of the inning if not for a fielding error, and two runs wound up scoring. Those two runs were not charged to Morton. He struck out one batter, and issued one walk.

Morton posted a 3.26 ERA in 116 innings last year.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke will throw a bullpen session Monday, according to MLB.com.

If that goes well, there's a chance Greinke will be able to throw in a game later in the week. Greinke has been dealing with a calf injury, but it's not considered to be serious. He won't pitch in the club's Australian series, but could return early in the season.

Greinke posted a 2.63 ERA in 177 2/3 innings last year.