MLB Player News

Singer plans to utilize a four-seam fastball and sweeper more often this season, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer began implementing the pitches a little late last season after some initial hesitation. This season, though, he's committed to using them as integral parts of his repertoire, adding them to his sinker, gyro slider and changeup. All three swinging strikeouts he induced during his Cactus League debut Wednesday versus the Mariners came on the sweeper. Singer has predominantly been a two-pitch pitcher in his career (the sinker and slider) and has struggled to miss bats with consistency. Perhaps the four-seamer and sweeper will allow him to pile up more strikeouts.

Gallen is scheduled to throw a simulated game Friday, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Gallen is being brought along slowly this spring and has yet to throw in a Cactus League game. He threw a bullpen session Wednesday, about which manager Torey Lovullo said he looked great and "everything's falling in line for him," as Gallen preps to be the club's starter Opening Day. Including Friday's sim game, the right-hander will pitch in five games this spring.

Henry walked one and struck out one over three hitless and scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against Cleveland.

Henry made his second Cactus League appearance, entering the second inning following starter Brandon Pfaadt. The left-handed Henry was equally impressive Wednesday as he was during his scoreless start last week. "The two to three [inning] jump feels like the first real start," Henry said. "Two, you can argue, is kind of still bullpen. Now that third 'up' is your body treating it more like a start." He's in the mix for the Diamondbacks' final rotation spot. Ryne Nelson figures to be the main competitor, but the Diamondbacks are also looking at Slade Cecconi and Bryce Jarvis.

Pfaadt allowed two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning in Wednesday's spring start against the Guardians.

Unlike previous starters making their Cactus League debuts, Pfaadt was only scheduled to throw one inning, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. The 25-year-old right-hander said his slider was off but it was good to get the work in. Pfaadt, who was a postseason darling last year, threw a career-high 178.2 total innings in 2023, which may be the reason to control his buildup during camp. Last spring Pfaadt was pitching to earn a roster spot, but this year he's locked into the rotation.

Jones has made two appearances and thrown 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two in Grapefruit League action.

Jones pitched with Triple-A Indianapolis for half of the 2023 season. He struggled a bit at the level, putting up a 4.72 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 82 innings, though his 99:34 K:BB highlights his potential. Jones is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster after the Pirates made multiple additions to the rotation this offseason, but he will almost certainly make his big-league debut at some point in 2024.

Priester threw his slider at an average of 88.7 mph in his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Priester reached the majors in 2023, but he struggled to a 7.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 50 innings in Pittsburgh. One notable problem was a dip in velocity, something he aimed to change by reworking his delivery this offseason. The early returns were positive, as his slider velocity ticked up 3.2 mph compared to the 2023 campaign. The movement on the pitch also changed and now resembles more of a cutter than a slider. Priester is competing for a back-end rotation spot this spring and turned in two perfect innings with one strikeout Wednesday against the Tigers.

Blackburn (1-0) was credited with the victory in the Athletics' Cactus League win over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run and recording three strikeouts over two innings.

Outside of the one mistake pitch that led to a J.D. Davis solo home run, Blackburn was highly effective while placing 22 of his 33 offerings in the strike zone, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The right-hander posted just a 4-7 record across 21 appearances (20 starts) last season, but that underwhelming mark was accompanied by a serviceable 4.43 ERA. Blackburn, who avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $3.45 million deal this winter, is expected to helm Oakland's starting rotation.

Yamamoto tossed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Texas on Wednesday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Yamamoto's first game action in a Dodgers uniform began with a strikeout of Marcus Semien, and the only hit he allowed -- a first-inning single by Evan Carter -- was wiped out by a double play on the following pitch. The right-handed hurler's success in Japan was tied to his ability to strike batters out while limiting homers and walks, and that skill set was evident Wednesday, as Yamamoto punched out half of the six batters he faced while throwing 16 of 19 pitches for strikes. There's already plenty of hype around Yamamoto due to his dominance overseas and the lucrative 12-year deal he received from Los Angeles in December, and his Cactus League debut should provide more fodder for expectations that are already sky high.

Gilbert did not factor into the decision in the Mariners' Cactus League loss to the Royals on Wednesday, firing two scoreless innings during which he issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts.

The talented right-hander put together a nearly perfect performance as he begins a process of trying to be more creative with his pitch mix in deeper counts and attacking right-handed hitters, who have a .741 OPS against him thus far in his career. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Gilbert feels the most comfortable he has to date entering a season, partly due to his experience and the addition of a splitter that he is hoping will make him less predictable. "I have more options this year," Gilbert said. "The main thing is just not getting yourself boxed in, especially in this league. I have to really find a way to get myself out if I get myself in a jam with guys on and I'm behind in the count, being able to get out of that. And I think I have the weapons to do that now."

Skubal tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out two.

Skubal cruised in his first tune-up start of the spring, as he logged 29 pitches and didn't allow a hit. The talented lefty underwent flexor tendon surgery in August of 2022, which delayed his debut last year by a few months. That means the team will likely build him up slowly in camp with the goal of having him available for a larger regular-season workload. Skubal's career high in innings is 149.1, which he recorded back in 2021.