MLB Player News

After the Reds considered adding closer Aroldis Chapman to the starting lineup in 2013, the team is now working him multiple innings during spring training.

Chapman worked two innings on Friday against the Dodgers.

"The repetitions were what I felt really helped him get comfortable with his mechanics and get comfortable throwing that slider and changeup," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Even though we're going to limit him to one or two innings during the season, Spring Training is a great opportunity for him to connect with his mechanics and off-speed pitches. We figured it's not broke, let's not try to fix it. He's not going to throw four or five innings but multiple-inning outings in the spring will be something fairly commonplace for Aroldis."

In three appearances he has allowed two hits, one walk with six strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Mets reliever Josh Edgin told reporters Saturday he has yet to make a decision on whether he'll opt for surgery, according to NJ.com. He is seeking a second option and has sent MRI results to Dr. James Andrews, who may recommend Tommy John surgery due to an overstretched ligament in his elbow.

Mets pitcher Vic Black underwent an MRI on Friday, which revealed no structural damage to his shoulder, according to MLB.com on Saturday. The team has descrived his injury as shoulder weakness, and have prescribed rest for a "couple of days," per ESPN. 

Diamondbacks RHP Daniel Hudson is returning from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries. He pitched two innings on Friday, in his second appearance of the spring, allowing three runs on two hits, including a home run. Hudson walked two and struck out two.

Hudson also pitched two innings in his first appearance. Within the next week, the D-Backs will decide if that's enough, or if Hudson needs to be stretched out to join the starting rotation.

"Sometime in the next five days," Hudson told AZCentral.com of the timetable for the decision. "If I need an extra day, I'll take an extra day."  

Mets pitcher Vic Black underwent an MRI on his injured shoulder, according to MLB.com on Friday. Black last pitched on Monday against Miami. At this point, it's uncertain when he actually suffered the injury. Black has allowed one run, one hit and one walk through two outings (two innings) this spring. 

Mets reliever Josh Edgin is seeking a second opinion and has sent his MRI to Dr. James Andrews, per Newsday. Edgin might need Tommy John surgery due to an overstretched ligament in his elbow.

After surrendering four runs in a third of an inning in his spring debut, Braves pitcher Shelby Miller stepped his performance up Thursday, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk in three innings aginst the Yankees while striking out two.

"You always want to do better than the last time out. It wouldn't have been too much harder to beat. It was a pretty rough outing," Miller said after the outing, per MLB.com. "Today was just more trying to learn from last time and just getting more feel for the [strike] zone, which I felt like we did a good job of."

Miller added that he wasn't working on anything in particular in Thursday's outing. He needed 47 pitches to complete his three innings of work.

Although Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino has just one career save in 181 relief appearances, manager Walt Weiss said the right-hander has the stuff to close games at the major-league level.

In fact, Weiss just might consider using Ottavino for a save situation if closer LaTroy Hawkins is unavailable this season.

"It's back-end-of-the-game stuff," Weiss said. "There's times where we've got to use a closer by committee and he would certainly be one of those options."

Mets reliever Josh Edgin has been diagnosed with an overstretched ligament in his elbow that creates tendinitis, per NJ.com. Edgin can either have Tommy John surgery or choose to rehab the injury to see if it gets better.

He is expected to make a decision in the next day or two. If he chooses to rehab the injury, then he might be sidelined for a few weeks. If he chooses Tommy John surgery, he will miss the rest of the season.

The Mets sent pitcher Josh Edgin to New York City for testing Wednesday, one day after he underwent an MRI on his left elbow in Florida, MLB.com reports.

Edgin drew the team's concern with his diminished velocity in Grapefruit League play. He was slated to be the team's only left-hander in the bullpen. Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin and camp invitee Scott Rice would be two options to serve as the team's bullpen lefty if Edgin has to miss time.