MLB Player News

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi threw five innings of a 6-2 Grapefruit League victory over Minnesota that was halted after five innings because of rain. Making his fifth start of the spring, Eovaldi permitted two runs -- both in the first inning on a homer by Brian Dozier -- and five hits as he completed five innings for the second-straight game. He had three strikeouts and two walks while his ERA grew slightly to 3.38 for the spring.

After emerging from a bullpen session without any discomfort in his sore elbow, Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke is slated to pitch in a game on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports. The team has not determined if the session will come in a Cactus League contest or a minor-league outing, but he will be restricted to 45 pitches.

Greinke reported no issues following a 40-pitch bullpen session on Sunday, less than a week after receiving a PRP injection to reduce the inflammation in his elbow. With a positive showing Wednesday, the right-hander could pitch in two more spring games before the start of the regular season. However, it's still unclear if he will be able to build up enough arm strength to make his first turn in the Dodgers' rotation.

All you single-season owners out there, listen up.

You've been told the Nationals are going to turn Stephen Strasburg loose this year, that the days of them limiting his innings are over, and technically, that may be true. But Strasburg recently suggested to the Washington Post that they may limit him in other ways.

"You look at some of the top pitchers in the game, they go at least 110 [pitches] every time out," he said. "I'm going to be prepared for it. I'm not saying that they're going to let me do it."

Jordan Zimmermann, a fellow National, averaged 96.5 pitches in his 32 starts last year, when he was as far removed from Tommy John surgery as Strasburg is now. He ended up with less than 200 innings. Why would the Nationals treat their golden boy with any less care?

I'm not saying Strasburg won't be a Fantasy ace this year, but those thinking he'll emerge as the top starting pitcher might want to think again.

The Diamondbacks made the first trim in their competition for the final spot in the starting rotation Monday by optioning Tyler Skaggs to Triple-A Reno. That leaves only two players remaining in the battle -- Patrick Corbin and Randall Delgado -- with less than two weeks remaining before opening day.

Corbin appears to have a slight advantage, posting a 2-0 record and 3.68 ERA over five Cactus League games (three starts). He has also amassed 15 strikeouts to just four walks over 14 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Delgado, one of the key pieces in the deal that sent Justin Upton to Atlanta in the offseason, has only appeared in three games and compiled a 6.43 ERA over seven innings of work.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn spent the offseason dropping 40 pounds from his hulking frame that was listed at 250 pounds at the beginning of the 2012 campaign. Now he is attempting to shed his old delivery in spring training as he adjusts to a slimmer physique that has provided him more movement in the windup.

"When you have a different body type you’re going to have a little more flexibility compared to the lack of flexibility at times I’ve had in the past," Lynn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It’s knowing now where and how far I can push things. ... The delivery is getting there. It’s just off a touch."

So far, the right-hander has experienced inconsistent results as he has completed four innings only once in four Grapefruit League starts and is carrying a lowly 7.50 ERA. After averaging more than a strikeout per inning last season, Lynn has fanned just five batters this spring.

The Pittsburgh Pirates pared down their roster Monday, optioning pitcher Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Irwin was considered a darkhorse candidate to replace Francisco Liriano in the starting rotation in case the ailing left-hander was not ready for opening day.

The Pirates also reassigned pitchers Gerrit Cole, Brooks Brown, Kris Johnson, Kyle Waldrop and catcher Ali Solis to their minor-league camp. Cole, 22, is viewed as the team's top prospect and posted a 3.60 ERA with seven strikeouts in three games (two starts) this spring. The right-hander sped through the minors last season and could make his MLB debut later this year.

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu had one of his sharper outings of the Cactus League on Sunday against the Brewers. He allowed one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Ryu also struck out six and walked two while lowering his spring ERA from 5.91 to 4.41. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn was charged with five runs and nine hits in only 3 2/3 innings during St. Louis' 6-0 loss to Miami in a Grapefruit League game Sunday. Lining up to be the team's No. 3 starter, Lynn permitted multiple runs for the third time in his four starts this spring as his ERA ballooned to 7.50.

The right-hander, who is entering his second full season in the starting rotation, finished with two walks and one strikeout. "There were a lot of things that didn't work out in the end for him today, but I thought it was a day of moving forward from his last start," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said of Lynn's effort.

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco tossed six scoreless innings, scattering six hits -- five of them singles -- during Miami's 6-0 win over St. Louis in a Grapefruit League contest Sunday. After altering his mechanics after his last start, the Marlins' likely opening day starter struck out five and did not walk a batter.

"I did a good job of staying closed and keeping my fastball down," said Nolasco, who trimmed his spring ERA to 4.30. "Everything else today was pretty decent."

Miami manager Mike Redmond also was pleased with Nolasco's turnaround, especially with only two weeks until the regular season begins. The veteran right-hander was tagged for seven runs in three innings during his previous outing. "It was nice to see Ricky bounce back like that today. That's what veteran pitchers do," Redmond said. "He pitched with a little bit of adrenaline out there."

Atlanta starting pitcher Julio Teheran surrendered one run and three hits over six sharp innings during the Braves' 2-1 win over the Mets on Sunday in Grapefruit League action. Bidding to secure the fifth spot in the Braves' rotation, Teheran allowed only a leadoff homer to Jordany Valdespin and lowered his ERA this spring to 1.35. He fanned seven batters and walked two during his fifth start.

"He settled down and did a nice job," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB.com about Teheran. "He's going to have those situations during the course of the season, but he's going to have to learn from that. He's been really impressive the way he's been handling himself."