MLB Player News

Montgomery (finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery, who was cleared for a bullpen session after an exam last Wednesday, had been scheduled to throw Saturday but will now throw Tuesday. The left-hander built up prior to spring training and doesn't expect there to be any issue with being ready for the start of the season.

Alcantara allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The right-hander touched 99 mph and threw 13 of 17 pitches for strikes in his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October of 2023. Alcantara has already been announced as Miami's Opening Day starter for the March 27 game against the Pirates. Craig Mish of the Miami Herald doesn't expect the 29-year-old to have any pitching restrictions this season despite it being his first year back from the procedure.

Susana topped out at 103 mph with his fastball during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports, but the right-hander threw only 20 of 34 pitches for strikes as he gave up a hit and two walks over a scoreless sixth inning. He struck out two.

One of the Nationals' top pitching prospects, Susana has yet to pitch above High-A as he continues to be developed as a starter. He'll turn 21 just before Opening Day, and his 157:48 K:BB over 103.2 innings between Single-A and High-A last season highlights both his tremendous upside and the amount of work he still needs to do to get his control and command to a level that will allow him to stick in the rotation.

Irvin tossed a perfect inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 28-year-old right-hander needed only eight pitches to breeze through his first game action of the spring. Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, one of those eight pitches was a slider, an offering Irvin is trying to add to his arsenal in an effort to get more whiffs. "I struggled a lot with getting in-zone swing and miss last year," Irvin said after Saturday's outing. "[The slider] is something that will kind of balance out the really slower curveball and the harder fastball. And then my cutter and changeup are both a little harder, too. I wanted something that's in that middle ground there." Irvin posted a 4.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 156:52 K:BB over a career-high 187.2 innings in 2024.

Waldron surrendered one run on two hits and no walks while striking out two batters over two innings in a Cactus League contest against Oakland on Saturday.

Waldron is one of several pitchers competing for the final spot in San Diego's rotation, and he began his exhibition slate with a decent outing. After allowing a pair of hits and a run through three batters, the knuckleballer settled down to retire the final five batters he faced. Even if Waldron does land San Diego's fifth-starter role, he isn't a particularly intriguing fantasy option given his modest strikeout rate and 4.91 ERA over 146.2 frames last year.

Bellozo struck out two in a perfect inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The right-hander got the start in the Marlins' spring opener and tossed 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. Bellozo was a surprising contributor in 2024, posting a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB over 13 starts in his big-league debut, but the 25-year-old isn't guaranteed a rotation spot this time around with Sandy Alcantara healthy and Cal Quantrill now in the fold. Bellozo is expected to compete in camp with top prospect Max Meyer and Adam Mazur for the fifth starter spot on the Opening Day roster.

Sale tossed two perfect innings with zero strikeouts in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Atlanta's southpaw ace tossed 14 of 21 pitches for strikes, per David O'Brien of The Athletic, topping out at 95 mph with his fastball and not even featuring his plus-plus slider, which helps explain the lack of whiffs. Sale is happy with where he is with his mechanics at this stage of the spring, and after winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2024 while becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to record a Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and Ks (225), he's on track to get the Opening Day assignment for Atlanta on the road against the Padres on March 27.

Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five.

In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.

Ashcraft allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against the Brewers.

It was a strong start for Ashcraft, who is looking to claim a spot in the Reds' rotation. This was his first time pitching in a game environment since he was placed on the injured list last July with elbow soreness. Once a lock for the rotation, Ashcraft needs to win a spot this spring. He told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that he picked up good routines during rehab and they carried over into Saturday's outing. With a couple of starter candidates delayed this spring -- Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) -- Ashcraft is in a good position to claim a spot in the rotation, although ever since he was drafted in 2019, the team has discussed a move to the bullpen. The right-hander said he's open for either role.

Greene allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against Cleveland.

Greene pounded the zone, which Guardians batters were prepared for and jumped on for a couple of hard-hit balls in the opening frame, including a two-run home run by Lane Thomas. "It's the first game," Greene told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "They're 0-0 pitches and guys are swinging. They know I get ahead with fastballs and for me, I wasn't disappointed or mad or scratching my head. That's going to happen." Greene allowed more hard contact in the second inning but managed to get out of a two-on, two-out jam. Greene is expected get the ball for the Reds on Opening Day.