MLB Player News

Verlander gave up a run on two hits and struck out three in three innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Making his first appearance of the spring, Verlander fired 28 of 35 pitches for strikes and already looks just about ready for Opening Day. The 40-year-old won his third AL Cy Young Award last season with the Astros, and after signing a two-year, $87 million deal with the Mets this winter, the seemingly ageless ace might just take a run at the NL award in 2023.

Cavalli gave up a run on two hits and a walk over two innings while striking out five in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Entering the game in the third inning, Cavalli served up a solo shot to Jordan Walker but was otherwise dominant against a St. Louis lineup that was missing big bats like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. The 24-year-old right-hander was limited to 101.1 innings last year while dealing with shoulder issues, but Cavalli is healthy to begin camp and has a 6:1 K:BB through his first three spring frames. The Nationals are counting on their top pitching prospect to seize a rotation spot in 2023, a decision he will make a lot easier if he keeps racking up strikeouts.

Gray gave up three hits and struck out one over two scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Facing a young St. Louis lineup that gave prominent spots in the batting order to the likes of Nolan Gorman and top prospect Jordan Walker, Gray breezed through the first two frames after needing only three pitches to strike out Brendan Donovan to lead off the game. The right-hander hasn't given up a run through his first three spring innings and is locked into a rotation spot for the Nationals, but Gray will need to find a solution to his long-ball woes -- he's served up 57 homers in 219.1 big-league innings so far in his career -- if he's going to become a reliable fantasy asset.

Flaherty (illness/calf) will not pitch Sunday against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty has been battling flu-like symptoms and some muscle irritation in his left calf, so the Cardinals will again delay his Grapefruit League debut -- now to Monday. The hope is that these are minor issues, but the 27-year-old right-hander might soon fall behind. He logged only 36 innings (eight starts, one relief appearance) at the MLB level in 2022 because of shoulder trouble.

Perez allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three over three innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox.

Perez was making his second Cactus League start and final one before jetting off to the World Baseball Classic. The left-hander bumped his pitch count to 55 pitches, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, and got all nine of his outs on groundballs (six) or strikeouts. The pitcher who averages more than three walks per nine innings during his career has yet to walk a batter in six spring innings. He also received a mouthful from old friend Elvis Andrus, who sent the pitcher on his way to the WBC with a two-run home run. Perez is expected to start Venezuela's opener against the Dominican Republic next Saturday and will be on a 65-pitch limit.

Gray (back) said he "feels normal" after receiving treatment Saturday.

Gray was scratched an hour before he was scheduled to start Friday's game after feeling back tightness. The right-hander expects to throw a bullpen session Sunday and could return to game action as soon as Wednesday.

Turnbull (elbow) allowed one run on two hits across two innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

It was Turnbull's first game action since 2021 as he makes his way back following Tommy John surgery. The righty logged 25 pitches, and the Tigers will likely be cautious with him throughout the spring. Turnbull will slot into Detroit's rotation this season, possibly as the No. 2 starter behind Eduardo Rodriguez. He could have some fantasy appeal if he's fully healthy, though his workload figures to be managed all year, which could limit his upside. Turnbull's career high in innings is the 148.1 he pitched back in 2019.

Gallen is on track to make his spring debut Tuesday against the Athletics, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen, the Diamondbacks' projected No. 1 starter, has already thrown three innings in a simulated game and could throw up to four when he eventually pitches in a Cactus League contest.

Kelly is experimenting with a slider this spring, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly used the new pitch six times. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo believes Kelly's existing repertoire works but thinks the slider could be another option to get early-count outs or swing-and-miss strikes against right-handed hitters. "I think good pitchers and good players are always making adjustments. It was definitely something he brought into camp. He embraced it. We're going to watch him continue to work on it," the manager said. Kelly's existing arsenal consists of four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a curveball, a changeup and a cutter.

Pfaadt allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over three scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against the Padres.

Pfaadt has thrown zeros through two Cactus League starts, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings. The right-hander's fastball averaged 94.6 mph and topped out at 96.8, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Carson Kelly, who caught both of Pfaadt's starts, referred to the hurler's four-pitch mix as "unique" and was impressed at how the 24-year-old attacks major-league batters. Pfaadt, the club's top-ranked pitching prospect, has an uphill battle to become Arizona's fifth starter, so it's likely he returns to Triple-A Reno, where he tossed 61.1 innings over 10 starts in 2022.