MLB Player News

Gray allowed one run on four hits and struck out four over two innings in Thursday's spring training start against the Athletics.

Gray made his spring debut and looked sharp. All four strikeouts were the result of a revamped slider, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports. "It's moving a lot more," Gray said of the slider he worked on with pitching coach Brendan Sagara. "It's got a lot more horizontal action on it. It probably moves double the amount my old one does... This one kind of goes across the whole plate." The right-hander already had a pretty good slider, as batters were limited to a .156 batting average and .300 slugging percentage against the pitch he threw a career-high 38.1 percent of the time in 2021. Gray is a leading candidate to become the ace of a Rangers' staff that's looking for a bona fide No. 1 starter.

Gallen (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen, who has been working his way back from shoulder soreness, will throw his second live BP session of the week. The right-hander came out of the first one feeling good. While he may not be ready to go for Opening Day, all signs point to Gallen being ready soon after that.

Davies threw two innings in a simulated game Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks inked Davies earlier in the week, and the right-hander is a frontrunner for the final spot in the rotation, provided he can build up his innings and pitch count by the first week of the season. He had a career-worst year with the Cubs in 2021, posting a 5.78 ERA and 1.52 K/BB over 32 starts while also tying for the NL lead in walks (75). His prior track record, which included a 3.79 ERA (114 ERA+) across six seasons, is what Arizona found attractive. The Diamondbacks appear to have their first four rotation slots set, but Zac Gallen (shoulder) might not be ready for Opening Day. Davies joins a long list of candidates in the mix for the fifth starter job and covering whatever time Gallen needs to get ready. Tyler Gilbert, Taylor Widener, Caleb Smith, Corbin Martin, Dan Straily and Humberto Castellanos are also being considered.

Kirby is considered a candidate for the Mariners' vacant No. 5 starter role, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The Mariners' No. 3 prospect logged 67.2 innings last season between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas, putting together a 5-3 record, 2.53 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while generating an 80:15 K:BB. The fact Kirby worked the fewest frames between him and fellow candidates Matt Brash and Levi Stoudt a year ago may hurt his chances to a degree, however, as Kramer notes Seattle intends for him to pitch deep into the season and would therefore likely have to keep a closer eye on his workload.

Stoudt is a candidate for the Mariners' currently vacant No. 5 spot in the rotation, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Stoudt's main competition appears to be Matt Brash and George Kirby, two fellow prospects with no shortage of talent or pedigree. Stoudt built up more extensively than Kirby last season in the minors, but his 81.2 innings during 2021 check in just behind Brash's 97.1. Stoudt, who has just one season of professional experience under his belt, held his own during his first Cactus League start against the Dodgers on Saturday, throwing 55 pitches over 2.1 innings while facing regulars Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor.

Manager Dave Roberts announced Thursday that Walker Buehler will be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

This feels like a passing of the torch in Los Angeles, as Kershaw had been the team's starter for every Opening Day in which he wasn't injured since 2011. The decision is more a recognition of Buehler's ascension than an indictment of Kershaw, who posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 144:21 K:BB across 121.2 innings last season. Those numbers deserve applause, but Buehler earned the ace role with a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 212:52 K:BB across 207.2 frames. In terms of fantasy significance, the most important note is that Kershaw has started the spring healthy, though he has given up three runs across 3.2 innings in two starts.

Mize tossed three scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out six.

New York wasn't playing all of its regulars, but it was still an impressive performance for Mize. Through two spring starts, the righty has logged five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. After an up-and-down rookie campaign in 2020 and some marked improvement last year, Mize could be primed for a full breakout in 2022.

Steele pitched two scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels. He walked two and struck out two.

Steele is competing for a spot at the back end of the Cubs' rotation, so performances like this are very useful. Keegan Thompson is also in the mix for the No. 5 role, as is the newly signed Drew Smyly. Steele appeared in 20 games for Chicago last season, including nine starts, and registered a 4.26 ERA across 57 innings of work.

Walker (knee) is slated to pitch behind starter David Peterson in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Walker will finally be making his spring debut this weekend after a mid-January procedure on his right knee had kept him about two weeks behind the Mets' other starting pitchers thus far in camp. Though the right-hander hasn't said whether he plans to be ready to go for Opening Day, how long he works and how he fares in Saturday's contest will likely be a deciding factor. Walker earned his first All-Star nod in his first season with the Mets in 2021, but he faded badly in the second half to finish with a 4.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 146:55 K:BB in 159 frames.

Buehler was named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The torch has officially been passed at Dodger Stadium. For the first time since 2010, a healthy Clayton Kershaw will watch from the dugout on Opening Day. (Kershaw wasn't the team's Opening Day starter in 2019 or 2020 but was on the injured list both times.) The honor is a deserved one for Buehler, who's coming off a season in which he posted a career-best 2.47 ERA, a mark that beat Kershaw by over a run. Buehler will take on the Rockies in Coors Field to kick off the season on April 8 and then will either face the Twins in Minnesota or the Reds at home the following week, depending on whether the Dodgers use their April 11 off day to skip a starter or give their pitchers an extra day of rest.