MLB Player News

DeGrom's (side) bullpen session Thursday consisted of 20 fastballs at relatively low intensity, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reports.

There were no breaking balls and the effort level was pretty minimal but, as deGrom said afterward, "it was a small step, but a step in the right direction." The right-hander is expected to miss at least the first week of Cactus League games as he eases back into things after feeling some left side tightness, but he's progressing slowly but surely.

Hamels (shoulder) is not expected to appear in any Cactus League games this spring, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Hamels did throw a successful bullpen session Thursday in Padres camp, but the plan calls for him to take it easy over the next month or so as he continues his recovery from September 2021 shoulder surgery. The veteran left-hander is slated to begin pitching in games at extended spring training soon after camp breaks. He inked a minor-league contract with San Diego on Feb. 16.

Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed Wednesday that he views Wood as a starter for 2023, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wood is among seven potential starters in Giants camp, and there was some doubt to his role after he finished last year with a 5.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 130.2 innings. He ended the season with a shoulder injury, but he was deemed healthy at the start of camp and should be able to build up as normal during spring training. Wood likely slots in toward the back of the Giants' rotation, be it a five- or six-man group at any point in the season.

Gore (elbow) will start for the Nationals in their Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Cardinals, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Then it'll be Trevor Williams and Josiah Gray handling the two split-squad games on Sunday, followed by Patrick Corbin versus the Cardinals on Tuesday. Gore did not wind up pitching for the Nationals last season after coming over in the Juan Soto trade, but he seems to be past the elbow issues that caused that delay. The talented 23-year-old might be ready for a full-on breakout if his health cooperates in 2023.

Keller worked on adjusting his curveball during the offseason, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Keller is competing for a rotation spot this spring. He's needed to make some improvements after posting ERAs of 5.39 and 5.09 over the last two seasons. He ended 2022 in a relief role, and the competition from veterans and prospects alike makes a return to a starting role challenging. Keller hasn't often used a curveball before, but adding one to his repertoire could give him a new look to test hitters as he tries to produce a bounce-back campaign.

Keller will start the Pirates' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Blue Jays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Keller also figures to get the nod for Pittsburgh on Opening Day of the regular season. The 26-year-old right-hander experienced a lot of ups and downs during the 2022 campaign but ultimately delivered an overall 3.91 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 159 innings. He had a shiny 2.20 ERA in his final 41 frames.

Paddack was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Twins on Thursday as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the Donovan Solano signing. Paddack is about nine months removed from what was his second Tommy John surgery and just recently began a throwing program. He's hoping to make it back sometime late this season.

Reds manager David Bell said Thursday that Dunn (shoulder) will miss a significant portion of spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Dunn had to essentially sit out a full calendar year between the summer of 2021 and the summer of 2022 because of a right shoulder injury, and that area began barking again last week in Reds camp. The 27-year-old can comfortably be ruled out for the beginning of the 2023 regular season, and he's currently without a clear return timeline.

DeGrom (side) threw a 22-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom and Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux looked to be all smiles after the pitcher completed his mound work, which seems like a good sign. The ace is a little behind schedule due to some tightness in his left side, which cropped up at the start of camp, but he's progressed well since then. While deGrom is not expected to appear during the team's first week of Cactus League games, it shouldn't be long after that assuming all goes well.

Allard will start Atlanta's Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Red Sox, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Allard is currently buried on the rotation depth chart for the reigning NL East champions, but he can do his best to try to change that with a strong showing this spring. The 25-year-old former top prospect will lug a rough-looking 6.07 career major-league ERA into the 2023 campaign.