MLB Player News

Crowe limited Boston to one earned run in 3.2 innings Sunday, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out two, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

The start was Crowe's first of the spring after three relief outings. He's given up just one run in 9.1 innings as the team considers whether the righty fits on the Opening Day roster. "He's done a nice job," manager Derek Shelton said before the game. "I think it's continuing to get more looks and continue to see more innings, so gain more information." The 26-year-old, acquired in the Josh Bell deal, is likely fighting a crowded roster but figures to find his way onto the roster sometime this summer. Crowe made his debut with Washington in 2020, registering an 11.88 ERA in 8.1 innings.

Kimbrel hit 98 mph with his fastball in his most recent Cactus League outing Saturday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Kimbrel said he was pleasantly surprised by the high number on the radar gun, and he retired his three batters in order with two strikeouts. "My ball had some zip on it, had a little more life than it's had so far this spring training," Kimbrel said. "When you can be nice and smooth and easy and try not to do too much, everything works out." The veteran reliever averaged 98.3 mph on his fastball back in 2017, but he's been below 97 mph in his two seasons with the Cubs. He has a 6.00 ERA since coming to Chicago, so the diminished velocity has seemingly had a direct impact on his effectiveness. If Kimbrel has a little more zip in 2021, he could turn things around, but fantasy managers will want to see him string together a handful of good outings before getting too excited.

Johnson (groin) began playing long toss Sunday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The right-hander exited Thursday's contest with a Grade 1 groin strain but made a quick return to throwing after taking it easy for a few days. Johnson may have a tough time ramping back up to game readiness with less than two weeks before Opening Day.

Pomeranz (forearm) is playing catching from about 100 feet Sunday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 32-year-old wasn't throwing over the past few days while waiting for inflammation to subside, but he's resumed playing catch Sunday. Pomeranz avoided any structural damage to his left forearm, but he has less than two weeks to ramp back up in time for Opening Day.

De Leon gave up four runs over 4.2 innings against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing three hits (including a homer to Omar Narvaez) and three walks while striking out three.

De Leon, who is battling for the fifth-starter job for the Reds and might be out of options, pending an arbitrator's decision, now has a 6.39 ERA over 12.2 innings this spring, albeit with 17 strikeouts.

Smith is dealing with right shoulder soreness and has no timeline for his return to game action, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear when the injury first cropped up, but the right-hander hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 13. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Smith's availability for Opening Day is now in question.

Wilson allowed one run on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings while striking out three during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

The right-hander took a line drive off the calf from the first batter of the game, Enrique Hernandez, but Wilson stayed on the mound and was able to regain his focus. Atlanta will need someone to fill a rotation spot to begin the season with Mike Soroka (Achilles) still in the final stages of his recovery, and Wilson's resilience Saturday almost certainly helped his case. He has a 1.98 ERA and 9:4 K:BB through 13.2 innings this spring, but his main competition, Kyle Wright (4.09 ERA, 10:5 K:BB through 11 innings) has also been solid.

Rainey (collarbone) is scheduled to pitch during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 28-year-old has yet to see game action in spring training due to a minor muscle strain near his right collarbone, but he's set to take the mound during Sunday's contest. Rainey completed a couple simulated games throughout the past week, and he should have enough time to get fully ramped up for Opening Day.

Diaz has given up only two hits and no earned runs over four Grapefruit League innings with a 6:0 K:BB.

The right-hander has looked sharp this spring, and while Mets manager Luis Rojas has played coy when it comes to naming his closer, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Diaz handling ninth-inning duties to begin the season. He's posted a strikeout rate of at least 39.0 percent each of the last three years, and even when Diaz struggled in 2019, his issue was keeping the ball in the park, not striking batters out. MLB's switch to a slightly deader ball should help ensure the 26-year-old doesn't have that problem again.

Vizcaino has been shut down for about a week due to soreness in his elbow, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's a tough break for the oft-injured right-hander as he attempts to make a comeback. Vizcaino was showing good velocity this spring but had pitched only one inning in Grapefruit League action, and the late shutdown likely ends any chance the 30-year-old might have had of winning a spot in the Mets' bullpen. If the non-roster invitee sticks with the organization, he could head to the team's alternate training site to begin the season.