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Reid Detmers SP | LAA
Angels' Reid Detmers: Has command issues in spring start
Detmers pitched 1.2 innings in a Cactus League start against San Diego on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two batters.
Spring training is generally a time to shake off rust, so Detmers' struggles shouldn't be read into too deeply. Still, it wasn't a promising performance from a hurler who is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Detmers' 9.3 percent walk rate last season was in the 35th percentile leaguewide, and improving upon that number could be key in allowing him to reach the potential the Angels assessed when selecting him 10th overall in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. His next opportunity to pitch this spring will likely come Wednesday.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Twins' Pablo Lopez: Working on pitches this spring
Lopez gave up two runs with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his second spring outing to raise his Grapefruit League ERA to 7.20. However, Lopez says he's been experimenting with different pitches rather than focusing on results, including throwing a rare 0-2 sinker to a lefty (Matt Olson), the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "It didn't work out. He hit it like 600 feet to center," Lopez said.
Lopez has already been named Minnesota's Opening Day starter March 28 against Kansas City, so he has no worries about his performance this spring. He's healthy and working on different pitches and looks sharp early in the spring. The right-hander's first season in Minnesota was the best of his career, with Lopez collecting a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234:48 K:BB over 194 innings.
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Cal Quantrill RP | TEX
Rockies' Cal Quantrill: Efficient first spring appearance
Quantrill completed two innings while allowing two hits and one run with no strikeouts or walks in his Cactus League debut with the Rockies on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Quantrill will serve a key role in the Rockies' rotation during the regular season after being acquired by the team this offseason. He had a strong debut with the club, focusing on pumping his splitter and sinker into the strike zone. His ability to use those pitches consistently will be a key to his success, as he'll want to keep the ball on the ground while pitching in one of the more hitter-friendly home parks in the league.
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Gavin Stone SP | LAD
Dodgers' Gavin Stone: Making push for rotation spot
Through three Cactus League outings this spring, Stone has allowed one run on three hits over 5.2 innings while posting a 4:1 K:BB.
Stone was already being considered for a spot in the Opening Day rotation entering spring with news that Walker Buehler (elbow) won't be ready to pitch right away, and a subsequent minor setback for Emmet Sheehan (general soreness) has only increased Stone's odds of working as a starter out the gate. The right-hander has done his part to boost his chances, looking great through his first three spring outings, with the most recent being a three-inning, 35-pitch scoreless start against Colorado on Sunday. Stone also put on 10-to-15 pounds during the offseason in an attempt to add and maintain velocity during the campaign, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
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Matt Waldron RP | WAS
Padres' Matt Waldron: Faring well early on
Waldron has allowed one run on six hits while striking out eight over nine innings through his first three Cactus League appearances.
Waldron surrendered his first run of the spring Monday afternoon against the Cubs, but he was otherwise able to work out of danger despite giving up six hits. He's making a strong push in the early going to earn a spot as a starter, and according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Waldron could even be the current favorite to shore up the back end of the rotation.
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Jhony Brito RP | SD
Padres' Jhony Brito: Continues bid for rotation spot
Brito allowed five hits and struck out six over 3.1 scoreless innings during Monday's exhibition against the Cubs. He didn't factor into the decision.
Brito has looked sharp so far this spring, surrendering three runs on nine hits while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings of work. He's also yet to issue a walk. The 26-year-old has put himself in a good position early on to win a spot in San Diego's starting rotation, though his work is far from over, as Matt Waldron has also been a bright spot thus far for the Padres.
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Jordan Montgomery RP | TEX
Jordan Montgomery: Could sign short-term deal
Montgomery's agent Scott Boras told Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Monday that the left-hander is open to signing a short-term contract similar to Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger.
Per Nightengale, Montgomery opened free agency looking for a long-term deal north of $170 million, but it appears he has softened on the idea of a short-term contract with Boras informing teams as much. A short-term deal with the same structure as Chapman and Bellinger would allow Montgomery to bet on himself for one season and re-enter the open market for 2025. He helped the Rangers to a World Series title in 2023 after posting a 3-1 record over six playoff games with a 2.90 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 31 innings.
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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Blake Snell: Open to short-term contract
Snell's agent Scott Boras revealed Monday that the two-time Cy Young winner is open to signing with a team on a short-term contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Nightengale notes that Snell was seeking a long-term deal in excess of $250 million at the beginning of free agency, though it appears the reigning NL Cy Young winner has shifted from that stance. Boras also represents Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both of whom elected to sign short-term deals with options to opt out at the end of the 2024 season. Snell seems open to going that route as he looks to stick on a roster with Opening Day approaching. The 28-year-old left-hander registered a 14-9 record over 32 starts with a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 234:99 K:BB over 180 innings.
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Allan Winans SP | NYY
Braves' Allan Winans: Optioned to Triple-A
Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.
Atlanta is now left with 53 players in camp after making a handful of cuts. Winans held a 5.29 ERA but a 34:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering six starts in the majors last season and figures to wind up spending some time with the big club in 2024.
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Dylan Dodd RP | ATL
Braves' Dylan Dodd: Headed to Triple-A
Dodd was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.
Dodd is a good bet to make some starts with the big club this season, but as things stand right now there's no room for him. The left-hander held a 7.60 ERA over seven starts with Atlanta last season.