MLB Player News

Heaney allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Rockies.

Heaney had an off first inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk but also struck out three. The left-hander didn't get settled in until a 1-2-3 third frame. He told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News that he was mechanically off and acknowledged being a "slow starter" early in seasons. The outing was his second Cactus League start, but he's also thrown three innings during an intrasquad game.

Keller sat between 90-92 mph for much of his spring training outing Wednesday against the Orioles, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The decreased velocity is a red flag not only for his potential level of performance but also as a potential indication of injury. However, he completed four innings -- his longest outing of the spring -- and told reporters after the game that he wasn't worried and that his velocity would ramp back up as the intensity of games increased. Though his results were inconsistent, Keller is coming off a breakout season during which he struck out 210 batters across 194.1 innings, and he'll take the mound on Opening Day against the Marlins.

Bradley threw three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out one in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Bradley is expected to be in the Rays' Opening Day rotation, as Shane Baz (elbow/oblique) is expected to be brought along slowly. Bradley helped his cause with his spring debut, particularly because the Yankees had most of their projected starters in the lineup. In addition to posting three scoreless innings, Bradley touched 98 mph with his fastball and generated four swings-and-misses on 43 total pitches.

Spiers allowed three hits and struck out five over four scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's spring game against San Diego.

The Reds are focused on getting their projected rotation members ramped up, but Spiers will be stretched out as organizational starter depth. The 26-year-old right-hander, who is expected to open at Triple-A Louisville, has allowed two earned runs over 8.2 innings, striking out 11 and walking one.

Stoudt, who was claimed off waivers by the Mariners from the Reds in mid-February, is making a case to enter the rotation mix at some point this coming season, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Stoudt is in his second stint with the Mariners organization, having originally entered professional baseball as Seattle's third-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft back in 2019. He was eventually dealt to the Reds in 2022 and got his first taste of the big leagues with Cincinnati last season, pitching to a 0-1 record, 9.58 ERA and 2.32 WHIP across the 10.1 innings covering his four appearances (two starts). However, Stoudt was impressive in his Cactus League debut Tuesday, allowing a hit and recording two strikeouts over two scoreless innings versus the Guardians while hitting 97 mph with his fastball and also deploying his slider and splitter effectively. Manager Scott Servais is optimistic about Stoudt's chances of eventually contributing as a starter in 2024, noting the need to have more than just five rotation members over the course of a season and adding "I do think he helps us at some point this year."

Miller is increasingly making a case to serve as the Athletics' closer with his Cactus League performances, despite manager Mark Kotsay previously stating he wasn't likely to use only one pitcher in that role to start the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller has put together two perfect innings across his pair of appearances, recording five strikeouts along the way while getting his elite fastball up as high as 103 mph. Miller is also using his wipeout slider effectively, and Gallegos surmises Kotsay may have no choice but to eventually name Miller as his primary ninth-inning option if the rest of the flamethrower's spring unfolds in similar fashion.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Brubaker (elbow) has progressed to throwing off the slope of the mound, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's another box checked for Brubaker as he continues the long road back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last April. The right-hander will likely be out until around midseason.

Lodolo (tibia) threw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday and said afterward that his next step is pitching in a Cactus League game, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo's left tibia still doesn't feel 100 percent after a stress reaction in the leg caused him to miss much of last season. However, the leg doesn't seem to be bothering him to the point where he can't pitch, and the Reds appear content to allow him to ramp up his progression. Lodolo is still far from a safe bet to be ready for Opening Day, but completing a simulated game is certainly a positive step forward.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Jones is among those competing for a spot in the rotation, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Jones has turned heads this spring, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings with a 3:3 K:BB while touching triple digits on the radar gun. The 22-year-old is not on the 40-man roster and held a 4.72 ERA during his time at Triple-A Indianapolis last season, which would seem to make him a long shot for the Opening Day roster on the surface. The Pirates have a couple rotation spots up for grabs, though, so Jones could make the decision difficult if he continues to pitch well.

Lodolo (tibia) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo saw a specialist and underwent testing Monday as he deals with nagging discomfort in his left tibia. Reds manager David Bell also said the club had been set to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the next steps for the left-hander. What exactly came out of the exam and meeting remains unclear, but it would certainly appear to be a good sign that Lodolo is facing hitters again. The southpaw's status for Opening Day remains very much in question.