MLB Player News

Snell worked the equivalent of two innings in live batting practice Saturday.

This marks the first time this spring the left-hander has faced hitters as he works his way into form following a groin injury suffered in September. Following the successful session, Snell is expected to make his first Cactus League start Thursday and pitch up to three innings.

Wheeler (shoulder) pitched a simulated inning against two hitters Saturday.

This was a positive step for the right-hander as he looks to return from a shoulder injury that has prevented him from making a start so far this spring. Wheeler also said he "hasn't felt a trace of soreness" in his right shoulder and hopes to be ready to start the season on time.

Eflin recorded six outs on 24 pitches during Saturday's start against Detroit.

Eflin was making his first start of the spring after returning from patellar tendon surgery in September. The right-hander lasted two innings, throwing 24 pitches and successfully fielded his position on his surgically repaired knee. Eflin will likely make two more starts before facing Oakland at home April 10.

Wacha allowed two runs on four hits and struck out one over four innings in Saturday's spring training start against the Rays.

Wacha increased his workload from three to four innings in his second Grapefruit League start, putting him in line to reach five or six by the first week of the regular season. The right-hander has permitted two runs, eight hits and one walk over seven spring innings with just two strikeouts. He's not an elite strikeout guy, but he's better than what he's showed this spring.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras made two Grapefruit League appearances early in camp and allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two in three innings. He spent most of last season at Double-A Altoona but should begin the 2022 campaign at the Triple-A level.

Davis was optioned to the Rockies' minor-league camp Saturday.

Davis was added to Colorado's 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and he allowed no hits and a walk while striking out four in two relief innings this spring. He'll likely begin the 2022 campaign at High-A Spokane.

Eflin (knee) is starting Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Tigers.

This outing will mark Eflin's spring debut, his first outing since undergoing surgery on his knee in early September. It's unclear how deep into the game he will pitch, though he threw a couple simulated innings March 15. Assuming he suffers no setbacks, Eflin could ready to start the season in the rotation.

Cavalli gave up three runs on five hits over three-plus innings in Friday's Grapefruit League start against the Cardinals, striking out three without walking a batter. After the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez didn't rule out the possibility of Cavalli being part of the Opening Day rotation, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. "I like it. Let's just say that: I like it," Martinez said. "You know, he'll get another start down here [in five days] or pitch in another game, and then we'll see."

The 23-year-old right-hander breezed through the first inning before running into trouble in the second after Nolan Arenado led off the frame with a double. Cavalli eventually squelched that St. Louis rally by picking Harrison Bader off second base then inducing two weak grounders, before rebounding for a 1-2-3 third that included a strikeout of Paul Goldschmidt. Starting the season at Triple-A Rochester remains the most likely path for Washington's top prospect, but the Nats lost Max Scherzer in the offseason and Stephen Strasburg (neck) may not return until mid-May, so the team has plenty of innings up for grabs. If Cavalli impresses Martinez again in his next outing, the decision on sending him back to the minors could get a lot tougher.

Houck allowed three runs on two hits and five walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring training start against the Braves.

Houck was roughed up in his second Grapefruit League start and has walked eight over five spring innings. Despite the results, Houck did not sound too concerned when speaking with Ian Browne of MLB.com following the game. The right-hander stressed the importance of getting in the work over outcomes, and he developed a plan to work on the issues that led to the results. "Felt good. Obviously out of the stretch, I'm getting a little too rotational," Houck said. "I talked with [pitching coach Dave Bush] about it already. Get back in tomorrow and look at some video and just re-sort things out and make a game plan going forward with it." He's scheduled to start the third game of the regular season, a Sunday night primetime meeting with the Yankees in New York.

Dunning allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring training game against Kansas City.

Dunning was backed by three home runs, which gives the Rangers an MLB-leading 17 spring homers. If that kind of power continues into the regular season, it would help all of Texas' starters. The right-hander made his second Cactus League start and broke out a new slider, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Dunning said the pitch has more horizontal break than vertical and stressed it's something he's still working on, noting the two he threw Friday were "horrible." Dunning plans to use both sliders this season, along with his sinker, curveball, changeup and cutter for a six-pitch arsenal. He makes his living off the sinker, which he threw 52.2 percent of time in 2021.