MLB Player News

Williams worked two scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, allowing one hit while striking out two without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander threw 20 of 23 pitches for strikes in his second outing of the spring. Williams hasn't given up a run yet through three Grapefruit League innings, and with Stephen Strasburg (ribs) lacking any kind of timetable for his return, he's set to begin the season in the Nationals' rotation. Williams posted good numbers (3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.4 K/9) in 2022 in a swingman role for the Mets, but he'll be a fantasy risk as a full-time starter on what's expected to be a poor team engaged in a rebuild.

Henry allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings of relief in Friday's spring game against Seattle.

Henry bounced back from an unpleasant performance his first time out in the Cactus League. He allowed five runs over 1.1 innings as a starter last Sunday. Even though Henry allowed a couple of runs and two extra-base hits over his first two innings, the left-hander improved and retired the side in order during his final inning. He told Jack Sommers of SI.com that the pitch clock had him huffing and puffing. Henry is in the mix for the No. 5 starter job.

Whitlock (hip) may not be game-ready to open the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock has been throwing off a mound and to hitters, but his recovery from hip surgery has prevented him from participating in fielding drills thus far. The Red Sox are unlikely to rush things with a key piece of their rotation, so Whitlock may begin the season on the shelf while he prepares to take on a starter's workload.

Bello (forearm) is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The right-handed prospect first felt forearm soreness in a mid-February bullpen session and has been behind schedule ever since. Recent updates have suggested Bello is issue-free now, but the lost time in February was likely enough to delay his buildup and make Opening Day an unrealistic goal.

Dunn (shoulder) be shut down for a few months as his right shoulder inflammation heals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Even though he's not undergoing surgery, Dunn may still have trouble returning in 2023 - with recovery, buildup and a rehab assignment, the best-case scenario appears to be a late-season return. The right-hander struggled mightily in 2022 with the Reds, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 31 innings.

Paxton has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will be shut down from throwing, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The veteran southpaw left his start Friday with discomfort. While Grade 1 is the least severe classification of strain, it will likely delay Paxton's start to the season. With Brayan Bello (forearm) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) also unlikely for Opening Day, the Red Sox may need to roll with Tanner Houck and/or Josh Winckowski in the starting rotation. Kutter Crawford, projected as a reliever, is being stretched out this spring and could serve as starting depth as well.

Gonzales recorded the win in Friday's Cactus League victory over the Diamondbacks, firing 3.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and two walks while recording three strikeouts.

Gonzales pounded 33 of his 48 offerings in for strikes while working on what would be the sixth pitch in his arsenal, a slider. Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports catcher Tom Murphy came away particularly impressed with Gonzales' performance overall after the left-hander was bounced around for four earned runs on five hits over two innings by the Angels in his first Cactus League start. "I saw a great adjustment," said Murphy. "I felt his fastball command wasn't usual Marco today, then he just came out and just started pounding his breaking ball. For him to do that mid game, that's why Marco is so good at going seven innings."

Kopech is planning to throw his changeup more in 2023, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kopech has reportedly been working on his changeup this offseason and is hoping the pitch helps boost the effectiveness of the rest of his arsenal, which already includes a fastball, a slider and a curveball. According to Baseball Savant, Kopech threw his changeup only 25 times in 2022 -- primarily using it against left-handed batters.

Rodriguez tossed three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and struck out three.

Rodriguez has now tossed five innings across two starts this spring without allowing a run. The lefty only made 17 starts for the Tigers in 2022 as he missed a big chunk of time due to personal reasons, and he recorded a 4.05 ERA across 91 innings. If he has a strong spring and can carry that into the regular season, Rodriguez could be in line for a much improved second year in Detroit.

Stroman should be in line to start for the Cubs on Opening Day after pitching in the World Baseball Classic, though Chicago manager David Ross hasn't set his rotation in stone, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

With Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) on the shelf, Stroman is the natural candidate to lead Chicago's rotation to begin the season. The righty will pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic before returning to the Cubs. He registered a solid 3.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 2022, though he only struck out 119 batters across 138.2 innings. That's in line with his career norms, as Stroman has never been a huge source of strikeouts.