MLB Player News

Kelly allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Kelly made his Cactus League debut and only start before heading off to the World Baseball Classic. He was scheduled to throw three innings or 45 pitches but was pulled after 34 pitches and 1.1 innings. This being spring training, he was allowed to come back in the third inning and retired Seattle's 2-3-4 hitters on 11 pitches. Kelly's coming off his best MLB season in 2022 as he limited walks and long balls, but at age 34, he could be due for age-related decline in 2023.

Painter is undergoing tests on his right elbow after alerting trainers to some soreness in the area Friday, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.

Painter showed electric stuff during his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday but evidently came out of the appearance with some tenderness in his pitching elbow. The results of the testing are expected to be available Saturday. Painter won't turn 20 until next month, but the top prospect has an outside shot to break camp as a member of the Phillies' rotation. Even if tests don't reveal anything serious, it seems likely the right-hander will be shut down for a while as the organization proceeds cautiously with him.

Woodford has allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings across two Grapefruit League appearances.

Katie Woo of The Athletic reports Woodford's velocity on his fastball is up a bit, and he's refined his slider and changeup. While it is early, these are positive developments for Woodford, who had a fairly mediocre 4.5 K/9 across 48.1 big-leagues innings last season. He also maintained a 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while working as a multi-inning reliever. The competition for a rotation spot is crowded, which means he'll likely have to settle for a bullpen role again, though that decision isn't expected to come until much closer to the start of the regular season.

Paxton is being evaluated for right hamstring discomfort, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Paxton made an early exit from his Grapefruit League debut Friday afternoon against the Twins after feeling a grab in his right hamstring. "We don't really know yet," he said afterward when questioned about the potential severity of the injury. The veteran southpaw continues to have awful luck on the health front, though at least this isn't an issue with his throwing arm.

Gray is dealing with back tightness and was scratched from his scheduled start Friday versus the Giants.

Gray was set to make his second start of spring training, but he will now look to rest his back and be ready for his next opportunity. In his place, left-hander Taylor Hearn will take over on the mound and face San Francisco.

Paxton left Friday's spring training game against Minnesota in the second inning with an apparent leg injury, source reports.

The injury doesn't seem to be very serious, and he was likely removed from the game as a precaution. Paxton missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the latest setback in an injury-plagued career, but Boston is still expecting the 34-year-old to be part of its Opening Day rotation.

Watkins threw two perfect innings and struck out two in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Tigers.

Watkins is somewhat of a forgotten man in the chase to fill out the back end of the Orioles' rotation. Grayson Rodriguez also pitched well Thursday, striking out one and walking one over two scoreless innings. Watkins and Rodriguez are in competition for spots, and the latter's prospect pedigree likely gives him the edge. Still, Watkins was serviceable in 2022 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 105.1 innings last season, making 20 of his 23 appearances as a starter, and the 30-year-old righty could be near the top of the O's list of spot starters if he doesn't win a spot in the rotation out of camp.

Baz (elbow) is on track to begin a throwing program in 3-4 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz reported to Rays camp this week as he continues the long road back from last September's Tommy John surgery. Obviously, he's not going to be an option for Tampa Bay this season, but the hope will be for him to be ready to roll by 2024.

Olson (abdomen) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson has dealt with abdominal soreness all spring, but a recent MRI came back clean and he's ready to test things out from the bump. The pitching prospect is in line to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Gausman will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Rays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gausman has been healthy all camp but with MLB cracking down on balks this season, he has been working on eliminating the heel tap in his delivery from the stretch. Evidently, he's happy with where he's at in that regard and is ready to test things out in game action.