MLB Player News

Early allowed two hits and walked one while striking out four over 3.2 scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Tigers.

Early made his second Grapefruit League start and third appearance overall. The left-hander threw 51 pitches (31 strikes) and showcased a fastball that touched 96.2 mph and averaged 94.8, nearly one tick higher than it averaged in 2025. While nominally still in the competition for the final spot in the rotation, Early is expected to open the regular season at Triple-A Worcester. He's allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over 8.1 spring innings.

The Orioles optioned Young to minor-league camp Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Young made 12 starts for Baltimore last season, pitching to an unsightly 6.24 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 57.2 innings. He was always a long shot to break camp given the Orioles' pitching additions over the offseason. The right-hander will presumably stay stretched out as starting depth at Triple-A Norfolk.

Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.

Williams had early trouble in the first inning but settled down after that in his third Cactus League start. He increased his pitch count to 56 (41 strikes) and didn't issue a free pass for the second straight outing. Walks were an issue for the right-hander in 2025 (4.5 BB/9), but thus far, Williams has issued just one walk through eight spring innings.

Ober threw two perfect innings with one strikeout in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. However, his fastball averaged just 89.9 mph and topped out at 91.1 mph, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The results look good, but he was essentially facing Atlanta's "B" lineup, and notably the velocity Ober showed earlier in camp was not there. While he's never been a particularly hard thrower, a significant bounce-back from his 5.10 ERA last season may prove difficult if he can't find a little more zip on the pitch he throws more than one-third of the time. Ober figures to make three more spring starts before slotting in behind Joe Ryan in the Twins' season-opening rotation.

Schlittler pitched 2.1 scoreless innings against Tampa Bay in a Grapefruit League game Friday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters.

Schlittler dealt with a back injury during the early part of spring training but appeared fully recovered Friday. He tossed 39 pitches and showed good velocity, topping out at 99.6 mph on his fastball. With his spring debut now in the books, Schlittler seems like he'll be ready for Opening Day, though he may be on a pitch count for his first few starts as he works to get fully ramped up.

Abbott allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Giants. He also hit a batter and allowed two stolen bases.

Abbott allowed runs in all three innings, including his third home run in 7.1 Cactus League innings. The best news coming out of the left-hander's third spring start are the five punchouts, and he upped his pitch count to 63 (39 strikes). Abbott explained to Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard that he was more focused on working his pitches than the results of Friday's outing.

Detmers completed four innings in a Cactus League contest against Cleveland on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Detmers gave up a pair of runs in the second inning but ended his start by retiring the final seven batters he faced. The southpaw threw 39 of 64 pitches for strikes and got a healthy 11 whiffs. Detmers had given up five runs over 4.2 frames across his first two appearances this spring, so Friday's outing was a step in the right direction. He's locked into a role in the Angels' rotation to begin the campaign, but given his success as a reliever last year, the team could opt to move him back to the bullpen at some point if the return to starting doesn't go well.

The White Sox optioned Davitt to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Davitt made two appearances in the Cactus League this spring and didn't allow an earned run over four innings. He'll officially begin the 2026 campaign at Charlotte, where he turned in a 5.03 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 48.1 frames last season.

Stock experienced shoulder discomfort while playing with Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic and will undergo testing, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Stock, entering his age-36 season, is on a minor-league contract with the Mets, and just weeks away from Opening Day, the veteran reliever began experiencing shoulder discomfort. The results of his testing should paint a clearer picture of how long he'll be sidelined, but according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Stock won't pitch for Israel for the rest of the WBC.

Kelly (back) is slated to throw live batting practice Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kelly threw a bullpen session Thursday and came away from the session feeling good. He'll take the next step in his recovery Sunday by facing batters. The 37-year-old threw roughly 30 pitches in the bullpen session and utilized his entire arsenal.