MLB Player News

Houser allowed four runs on four hits over five innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The ball was carrying to left field at Clover Park, and Luis Garcia was able to slice a solo shot over the fence in the first inning before Lane Thomas clubbed a three-run blast in the fifth. Otherwise Houser had little trouble with the Washington lineup, firing 44 of 64 pitches for strikes. The former Brewer has been sharp this spring, posting a 14:1 K:BB through 12 innings, and he's on track to open the season in the Mets' rotation after producing a 4.12 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 96:34 K:BB over 111.1 innings last year and earning a one-year, $5 million contract with New York in January.

Weathers gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

The 24-year-old southpaw is competing for an Opening Day rotation spot with the Marlins potentially down Eury Perez (finger), Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) to begin the season, so while Weathers' overall results Friday weren't all that impressive, the most important takeaway is that he built up to 79 pitches (50 strikes). Weathers has overall had a strong spring, posting a 21:4 K:BB through 18 innings, and the solo shot he gave up to Jose Fermin in the fourth inning Friday has been the only homer he's allowed.

Glasnow tossed 5.1 scoreless and hitless innings in a Cactus League contest against San Francisco on Tuesday. He struck out eight batters and allowed one walk.

A day after being named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter for their March 20 matchup with the Padres in South Korea, Glasnow finished his spring slate in dominant fashion, retiring 16 of the 17 batters he faced and tossing 70 pitches while holding the Giants without a hit. The right-hander looked every bit like an ace this spring, allowing just one run on four hits while posting a 14:3 K:BB over 10 frames. Glasnow may not be quite ready for a full workload in the regular-season opener given that the Seoul Series is taking place over a week earlier than Opening Day for teams besides the Dodgers and Padres, but he otherwise appears to be in fine form as he embarks upon his first campaign with Los Angeles.

Cole said Saturday that he is dealing with nerve inflammation in his right elbow and won't throw for three-to-four weeks, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

A lengthy rest period was expected for Cole, although there is still plenty of room for him to appear later this season after it was determined his elbow won't require surgery. Cole remains without a firm timeline for his return to the Yankees' rotation, but a clearer picture may emerge after the end of his no-throw period.

Priester allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Priester is vying for the final rotation spot in Pittsburgh but has struggled to get outs the second time through the order throughout spring. That changed Friday, as he served up a solo home run in the fourth frame but was otherwise successful pitching deeper into the game. Priester also threw his slider 40 percent of the time and maintained increased velocity relative to the 2023 season. The Pirates have added Domingo German and Eric Lauer in recent days to muddy Priester's path to the rotation on Opening Day, but he'll almost certainly contribute at some point during the campaign.

Porter allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over one scoreless inning in Thursday's Spring Breakout game against the Reds.

Porter got the start for the Rangers' prospects and worked around a walk and single. The first batter he faced grounded out, but the comebacker hit Porter in the hamstring, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Following a brief injury timeout, the right-hander walked the next batter on four pitches. "I was fine, with the adrenaline and I didn't feel it, but the trainer just had to come out and make sure I was alright," Porter said. The 2022 fourth-round pick posted a 2.33 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 73.1 innings at Single-A Down East in 2023. The major red flag standing out was his 5.4 BB/9.

Lowder struck out two over two scoreless innings in Thursday's Spring Breakout game against Texas.

Lowder was the star of the day, according to Keith Law of The Athletic, who remarked how efficient the right-hander was. The Reds' 2023 first-round pick showcased his fastball (94-95 mph), a plus changeup (86-89) and a plus slider that Law said had more bite that it did last spring at Wake Forest. The only batter that reached base did so on an error. Outside of the breakout game, Lowder has made two other spring appearances, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over three innings.

Scherzer (back) has been cleared for baseball activities, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer joined his teammates this week in camp after spending time at home rehabbing away from the club. He'll begin by tossing medicine balls to loosen up, then move onto sprinting, jumping and eventually throwing. June remains the target date for the right-hander's return.

Whitlock allowed two hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 scoreless innings in Friday's spring game against the Twins.

This was the best of Whitlock's five Grapefruit League starts and a reminder that he's not out of the competition for one of the two available slots in the rotation. He threw 62 pitches (44 strikes) and put batters away after getting ahead in the count. "The swings and misses from the get-go, that's a game changer," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "He's been working hard with his cutter and the slider/sweeper. The good thing about him is he's always ahead. It's about putting them away. Not only inducing them to weak contact, but swings and misses are good, too." Whitlock has a 3.45 ERA with 16 strikeouts and two walks over 15.2 spring innings. Tanner Houck, Cooper Criswell and, to an extent, Josh Winckowski are also competing for a rotation spot.

Gray (hamstring) will face hitters in a simulated session Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gray will pitch to hitters before Sunday's Grapefruit League game as the next step in his rehab process, but the hitters will not be permitted to swing. If all goes well, the right-hander may move on to throwing batting practice or a full simulated game. Gray's status for Opening Day remains uncertain, though the Cardinals are optimistic the 34-year-old will be able to pitch in St. Louis' opening series against the Dodgers.