MLB Player News

Brown allowed three runs on four hits across 3.2 innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out five.

Brown picked up the start when Justin Steele (illness) was scratched before the contest. Brown is competing as a starter this spring, and while the righty has tallied nine strikeouts in just eight innings so far in Cactus League play, he's also allowed six runs on a whopping 13 hits. The 25-year-old will have to be a bit sharper if he wants to earn a rotation spot. Brown will still likely begin the year in the bullpen, though he could pick up some starts down the road if he performs well in a relief role.

Chandler was reassigned to minor-league camp Thursday.

Chandler entered spring training with a shot at winning a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, but he appears destined to open the 2025 season in the minors. Pittsburgh's top pitching prospect, Chandler made three appearances this spring, allowing five earned runs on four walks and three hits across 2.1 innings, while striking out a pair. Chandler seems likely to make his MLB debut at some point this year.

Burns made his professional debut Wednesday against the Rangers, striking out three and walking one in the ninth inning. Four of his pitches topped 100 mph, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After the game, Burns was sent down to the Reds minor-league camp, where he'll continue to get more regular work. Burns didn't pitch professional last season after getting taken No. 2 overall in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft by the Reds.

Hernandez was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings this spring, and he'll now head over to the minor-league side, which was expected. The righty spent 2024 with Double-A Erie and could head there again in 2025, though a promotion to Triple-A Toledo could also be in order. Either way, Hernandez is unlikely to make much of an impact with the Tigers this year.

Flores (shoulder) was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Flores has been rehabbing a shoulder injury this spring and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in January to address some soreness. He was likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo anyways, but his lack of Grapefruit League playing time probably sealed the deal. Flores will provide organizational depth this season.

Steele was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to flu-like symptoms, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele had been set to make his third start of the spring Thursday, but he'll instead have to wait until his illness passes. While he recovers, Ben Brown will step in to start against the Royals.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Rodriguez is dealing with right triceps soreness and will undergo testing, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez showed diminished velocity during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, averaging just 93.2 mph in the start and getting clocked as low as 89.5 mph with his four-seamer. The righty said after the outing that he simply felt "sluggish" and was not injured, but a day later he now has soreness in his pitching arm. The Orioles expect to know more about Rodriguez's status Friday after the test results are in, but a trip to the injured list could certainly be in the offing. If Rodriguez does indeed need an IL stint, Baltimore could consider Albert Suarez or Cade Povich for its rotation.

Matthews was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees due to an apparent ankle injury, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Matthews slipped on his right foot/ankle while fielding a grounder in the fourth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, which is a positive sign, but the Twins will likely take a closer look at the 24-year-old to confirm he didn't suffer any serious damage.

Gausman topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball during his spring debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The 34-year-old right-hander walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless, no-hit innings while tossing 23 of 38 pitches for strikes.

Gausman dealt with shoulder trouble last spring that prevented him from getting fully stretched out ahead of Opening Day, and he seemed to be playing catch-up all season with both his velocity and his command on his breaking pitches. Gausman finished with a 3.83 ERA and 21.4 percent strikeout rate -- his worst numbers in those categories since 2019 -- over 181 regular-season innings while averaging just 93.9 mph with his fastball. He spent this winter putting on extra muscle, and it showed in his first Grapefruit League action as he averaged 94.9 mph with his heater. If Gausman begins this season healthy, a bounce-back campaign could well be in the cards, as he produced a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate as recently as 2023.

Maldonado (elbow) is listed on San Francisco's roster for its March 15 Spring Breakout game versus Texas prospects, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Maldonado's inclusion on the roster suggests that he's likely back to full health again after completing his recovery from December 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old righty from Venezuela struck out 81 batters over 65 innings at Single-A San Jose in 2023, but he struggled with his control (13.9 BB%).