MLB Player News

Dunning allowed two hits and one walk in a scoreless relief inning in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.

Dunning made four starts during the Cactus League and recently threw six innings, but there's no room for him in the rotation. The right-hander recently told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he would like to be a starter but is open to relieving. His eventual role will be as a multi-inning reliever, which will come in handy early when some starters, like Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, may be on restricted pitch counts after dealing with injuries this spring.

Heaney allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Cubs.

This was Heaney's final Cactus League outing, and the left-hander admitted to not being at his best, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Heaney worked this spring to incorporate his changeup -- an offering he threw just 5.1 percent of the time in 2022. The goal is to have a third pitch to play off his fastball/slider mix. The 31-year-old finished the spring with a 6.75 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 12 innings. Perhaps tinkering with the changeup played a role in those numbers. Heaney is expected to start the Rangers' fifth game of the season, facing the Orioles on April 4.

Alcantara struck out eight over three perfect innings in Friday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros.

The right-hander was sensational once again, and the 2022 NL Cy Young winner has a miniscule 0.68 ERA over his work in the exhibition season with a 15:4 K:BB through 13.1 innings. Everything Alcantara has shown so far this spring suggests he will once again be among the best pitchers in baseball during the 2023 season.

Gallen allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Reds.

This was Gallen's final Cactus League outing before he takes the ball Opening Day against the Dodgers. He gave up two home runs to round out a spring with ugly results: 15 earned runs in 16.1 innings with 10 walks. The right-hander didn't sound concerned when he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he did "zero" work on game planning for his spring opponents, which isn't unusual. Of note, his fastball was down a couple ticks, from 94.2 mph last season to 92.5 mph Thursday, and it's been down all camp according to Piecoro. Nevertheless, Gallen threw 82 pitches and worked into the sixth inning, so he'll be fully stretched out to begin the regular season.

Webb will get the ball for Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Mariners, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Webb will get the start for the final time in Cactus League play Saturday, and then will be on normal rest for his Opening Day tilt against the Yankees on Thursday. The right-hander has struggled in a limited sample in Arizona with a 5.54 ERA over 13 innings, but his success over the previous two seasons -- including a 2.90 ERA in 192.1 innings in 2022 -- makes him a strong fantasy option to begin the 2023 campaign.

Rockies manager Bud Black suggested that Seabold could make the Opening Day roster as a bullpen option, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

"I like his stuff, "Black said. "He's got a starter past. that gives him some pitchability -- the ability to give us length if he pitches out of the bullpen." Seabold also hasn't been ruled out for a rotation spot, as he's battling for one of the final places in the starting rotation. So far in the Cactus League, the 27-year-old has a 4.35 ERA, but five of his runs allowed over 10.1 innings came in one outing. Be it as a starter or a long reliever it sounds like Seabold has a good chance of breaking camp with the Rockies to begin 2023.

Pepiot has won the final spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander might only hold that spot for a couple of turns as Tony Gonsolin works back from a left ankle sprain, but Pepiot should carry considerable fantasy streaming appeal for however long he's in the Dodgers' rotation. He posted a cool 3.47 ERA with 42 strikeouts over his first 36.1 major-league innings in 2022.

Grove was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grove did not win the final spot in the Dodgers' rotation, and instead it will be Ryan Pepiot who will be the fifth starter for Los Angeles. Grove will begin the year back in the Pacific Coast League, and the 26-year-old could be an option if Pepiot falters or there's an injury to another member of the rotation.

Freeland is lined up to start the second game of the regular season for the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

German Marquez was announced Friday as the team's Opening Day starter next Thursday at San Diego, and Freeland will then follow him in the Colorado rotation mix. This also puts Freeland on track to start the Rockies' home opener April 6 versus the Nationals. The 29-year-old left-hander worked to a 4.53 ERA and 131:53 K:BB over 174.2 innings (31 starts) last season.

Flexen will not open the season in Seattle's starting rotation, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

The Mariners will have Luis Castillo on the mound for Opening Day, and he'll be followed in order by Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales and George Kirby. That means Flexen will be a multi-inning relief option to begin the season despite a strong 2.65 ERA in 17 innings so far in the Cactus League. If anything was to happen to the names above Flexen would be the obvious replacement.