MLB Player News

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson tossed 3 2/3 innings Sunday, allowing no runs on three hits with four strikeouts against the Rockies. It was Hudson's longest outing of spring training.

"For a couple of hitters there, I'd lose the release point and fly open a little bit and fall behind," Hudson said to MLB.com. "My two-strike pitches were better today, but I wasn't getting ahead as much as I wanted. It'll come.

"I was pretty disappointed about the way I threw to hitters in the first part of the game. It's the first time I've gone [into] four innings in 2 1/2 years. It kind of comes with it."

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller allowed one earned run on just one hit and one walk in six innings while striking out four in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

Miller's longest outing of the spring was also his best, though he was unable to turn in his first spring performance with no walks. He has posted a 3.44 ERA and 14:7 K:BB ratio in 18 1/3 innings.

"When you get close to the season, you want to start feeling good, and right now, I feel like I'm right where I need to be physically," Miller said. "I've still got some things to work on, but I feel really good," Miller said to MLB.com.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale has named his Opening Day starter, Josh Collmenter, but has yet to unveil the rest of his starting rotation. Because Collmenter and another starter, Jeremy Hellickson, have similar styles, Hale is considering Rubby De La Rosa as the No. 2 when the season begins, reports MLB.com.

"We are in serious discussion about doing something like that," Hale said.

De La Rosa has a 3.75 ERA in four appearances this spring. He's recorded 11 strikeouts with five earned runs allowed in 12 innings pitched.

After being traded from the Cardinals, Braves pitcher Shelby Miller is looking forward to a new start with his new ball club, reports MLB.com. He spent his first three years with the Cardinals.

"I'm looking forward to a clean start to the season because getting traded over from St. Louis, you never really expect that," Miller said. "It's everything I've known, being drafted by them and coming through the farm system and stuff like that.

"But it's exciting. You're getting traded from a good team to another. I'm excited about the opportunity with my new teammates. I think we have a great chance to do something special here in Atlanta, and I'm looking forward to helping however I can."

Over his career, the right-hander has an ERA 3.33 with 312 strikeouts and 134 walks.

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen will have the walking boot on his left foot removed on Tuesday, according to Eric Stephen of SB Nation.

Jansen has worn the boot since he underwent surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot in mid-February. He will start the season on the disabled list.

Mets pitcher Vic Black, who threw off flat ground on Thursday, took another step forward in his rehab from a shoulder injury with a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday morning, reports ESPN.

Black, who has been sidelined since mid-March with the injury, told reporters he feels fine and is scheduled for another session on Monday. Earlier this week pitching coach Dan Warthen said Black is "right on the cusp" of being ready for Opening Day.

Brewers pitcher Will Smith could be the best cog in Milwaukee's bullpen this season. Manager Ron Roenicke sure hopes so, reports MLB.com.

"I think coming into it, we're counting on him to pitch some high-leverage innings," Roenicke said Friday. "He's going to be a huge part of that bullpen and what we do and how I match up the seventh and eighth inning. He's going to be important."

Smith has a 0.87 ERA in eight appearances this spring and posted a 3.70 ERA in 78 games last season.

"My last two outings I felt really good out there, really strong," Smith said on Friday. "Me and the catchers are on the same page for everything now. I think I'm good to go now."

Phillies pitcher Jake Diekman declared his Friday appearance, "the worst outing in the history of the world." 

Diekman entered a scoreless game in the fifth inning and promptly gave up a double and four singles before recording an out. He ended up allowing seven runs in one third of an inning.

"I fell behind in counts and every strike I threw they took a good swing at," Diekman said, per CSN Philly. "It’s embarrassing. ... It's unbelievable." 

Despite his 12.27 ERA, Diekman got a vote of confidence from manager Ryne Sandberg. "There’s no concern," he said. 

Although he's slated to start on Friday for the Marlins, all signs indicate that the club won't showcase pitcher Brad Hand to other teams this spring. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the left-hander won't be traded before the season starts and is expected to remain in Miami.

Hand, who was the subject of trade rumors to the Rangers earlier this spring, has registered a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings of work in Grapefruit League play.

Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said reliever Vic Black is "right on the cusp" of being ready for Opening Day, per NJ.com. Black has been sidelined since mid-March with a shoulder injury.