MLB Player News

Kochanowicz (illness) will throw a simulated game Friday and is expected to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was unable to start as scheduled Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the mound a day later indicates there's no cause for concern. Kochanowicz posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings as a rookie last year and is competing in spring training for the No. 5 spot in the Halos' rotation.

Allen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the White Sox.

Allen made his second Cactus League start and worked up to 44 pitches (26 strikes). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt was pleased with the outing but noted the pitcher's "command issues" following the game, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. Higher-than optimal walk rates were an issue for Allen last season, and he also saw a spike in home runs allowed. After teasing the Guardians in his rookie 2023 season (3.81 ERA), Allen fell off to a 5.73 ERA and allowed a combined 34 home runs in 146 innings between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus. The left-hander is one of several pitchers competing for a spot in the big-league rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) hit 90 mph during a bullpen session Thursday and is getting close to facing hitters, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia averaged 94 mph with his four-seamer during his last healthy season in 2022, but he's still ramping things back up following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks. The Astros have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but it's not clear whether he might be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances.

Ashcraft allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over two-plus innings in Thursday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.

Ashcraft, who was making his second Cactus League start, retired the side in order in the first inning before running into trouble in the second. A couple of errors, including his own, and a walk led to a one-out, bases-loaded situation, but the right-hander escaped unscathed. After a leadoff double and a walk in the third inning, Ashcraft was pulled after 43 pitches (22 strikes). He told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that he was pleased with his slider, which had a good shape and landed in the zone, and felt good to get out of the second-inning jam.

Nelson still has minor-league options remaining and could open the season at Triple-A Reno, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Arizona has seven legitimate starters in camp competing for five spots.

For Nelson, who was second among starters in innings pitched in 2024, to not have a spot on lock seems odd, but the Diamondbacks have assembled plenty of rotation depth. Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez are set in the top four spots, with the fifth starter role coming down to Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt or Jordan Montgomery. Nelson and Pfaadt, who also has minor-league options left and led the Diamondbacks in innings in 2024, could start the year in the Aces' rotation, although Montgomery is a candidate to shift to a long-relief role.

Pfaadt allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Reds.

Pfaadt cruised in his Cactus League opener, setting the side down in the order in the first inning, including an inning-ending swinging strikeout of Elly De La Cruz. The right-hander then worked around a two-out double in the second by punching out Spencer Steer to complete his day. Manager Torey Lovullo faces a tough decision regarding his five-man rotation. The top four are locked in with Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez. That leaves Pfaadt battling Ryne Nelson and Jordan Montgomery for the final spot. Both Pfaadt and Nelson still have minor-league options, but Montgomery could shift to the bullpen.

Priester allowed two hits and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Tigers.

This was Priester's second Grapefruit League start. The right-hander threw 35 pitches (20 strikes) and escaped a first-inning bases-loaded jam by inducing a double-play grounder. He's added velocity to his preferred pitch, the sinker, which averaged 93.1 mph in 2024. On Thursday, none of his seven sinkers were below 94.2 mph. With three of Boston's expected rotation arms delayed or iffy for the start of the season -- Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (elbow) -- Priester could find himself in an Opening Day starting role.

Nunez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Nunez was shut down from throwing in mid-August last year due to a shoulder injury, and he's building up slowly this spring. The righty reliever was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 draft in December after posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB over 29.1 innings in High-A ball with the Orioles' organization last season. As a Rule 5 draftee, Nunez must spend the entire upcoming campaign on the Padres' active roster or else be subjected to waivers, though San Diego could place him on the injured list for a period of time.

Roupp threw three scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out five in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Roupp made his big-league debut in 2024, working primarily as a reliever. However, he's making a bid for the fifth spot in the Giants' rotation this spring and is off to a good start, throwing a total of five scoreless innings with an 8:1 K:BB across two outings. Justice delos Santos of MLB.com also detailed that Roupp developed a cutter during the offseason that he plans to throw primarily against lefties.

Chandler walked one but did not allow a hit across a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The outing was Chandler's second of spring training, though he's been limited to one frame on each occasion. After allowing one walk, one hit and one run in his first outing, Chandler cleaned things up in his second appearance. The only baserunner reached on a called strike three that was overturned on a challenge to become a walk. Chandler is competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster and is hoping to stretch out his future spring outings to make his case to break camp with the big-league club.