MLB Player News

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller didn't have the ideal start to spring training Saturday. The right-hander surrendered four runs and recorded just one out in his start against the Tigers. But Miller wasn't worried about how things finished, reports MLB.com.

"Am I frustrated by it? Yeah. But at the same time, it's still the first game of spring training," Miller said.

He also noted he has a lot of time to fine-tune his pitches before the regular season begins.

"It's still early," Miller said. "I've still got a lot of time to work on things. But other than the fact that I made some bad pitches and left the ball in the middle [of the plate], my arm felt good and physically I felt good. That's about all that matters, right now."

Because the rotation is set with Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez, Nationals manager Matt Williams has not closed the door on the possibility of Blake Treinen making the team as a reliever, according to MLB.com.

Treinen has made eight appearances as a reliever, allowing only two runs in 14 2/3 innings. The right-hander said he's fine with whatever role Williams gives him once they break camp.

"It's always fun to have opportunities to save a game -- coming in big situations. It's spring and everybody is trying to work on stuff. It's still early, but it's still fun of course."

Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (hamstring) impressed manager Ron Roenicke as he threw batting practice Friday, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“The last two times I’ve seen him throw, I really liked it. Just better command with his stuff,” Roenicke. "We’re trying to simplify things for him a little bit.

“First, we have to get him locked in with his fastball, get it over the plate, down, so he can attack hitters with it. He has come up with a curveball this year and I like it. It’s a nice curveball. With all of his pitches, I’m liking what I’m seeing.”

Nelson relied primarily on his fastball and sinker last season. He did throw a changeup, but he didn't throw it much. With the addition of a curveball, the Brewers are hoping it will aid his other pitches.

“He throws a changeup but he’s thinking this will help,” Roenicke said. “He’s still working on his changeup and he’ll see which one comes out better.

“He’ll throw all four (pitches). I don’t think he’ll get rid of one. But in different games you go sometimes with a different offspeed, depending on which is working better that day.”

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa got off to a strong start on Wednesday against the Rockies. 

De La Rosa allowed one hit over two scoreless innings. He struck out two during the outing. The 26-year-old was acquired by the club during the offseason, and is expected to compete for a role in the team's rotation this spring. 

De La Rosa posted a 4.43 ERA over 101 2/3 innings last season. 

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa will start on Wednesday when the team takes on the Rockies, according to MLB.com.

De La Rosa was acquired by the team during the offseason, and is expected to compete for a role in the starting rotation. The 25-year-old posted a 4.43 ERA over 101 2/3 innings last season. It's unclear how long De La Rosa will pitch on Wednesday.

Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith is targeting 80 appearances in 2015 after sharing the league lead with 78 appearances last season, the Journal Sentinel reports.

"I'll tell (manager) Ron (Roenicke) that I want 80 this year," he said.

Smith excelled early last season before struggling during the middle part of the year while he was carrying a heavy workload. However, he was able to bounce back in September. Smith took part in a different type of offseason workout in an attempt to strengthen his legs, allowing him to stay stronger longer.

"I take pride in having really strong legs that can last all year, and I worked really hard this offseason on a squat program that our trainer put us through," Smith said. "Last year we’d do more two sets of 10 and not as heavy. This year we did five sets of two and it’s heavy, heavy weight. We did back squats, front squats – we did them all. A lot of high weight, and it was intense. It hurt some days. I live on the third floor of my apartment complex and walking up the stairs I’d be like, ‘Oh, this is tough.’ But it was fun. I had a good time with it."

Roenicke indicated that the team won't tread lightly when the team needs Smith on the mound.

"When we need him, we’ll pitch him," Roenicke said. "And as long as he performs like he did last year, he’s going to get some very important innings for us and I really don’t think I need to go easy with him."

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse will start the team's Cactus League opener Thursday, MLB.com reports, lining Lohse up to receive the opening-day start on April 6.

Though Lohse appears in line to start opening day, he dodged a question regarding the potential assignment. "How about we answer that question when something is official?" Lohse said.

After Lohse's Thursday start, the Brewers will line up Matt Garza, Wily Peralta, Mike Fiers and Jimmy Nelson in the spring rotation, FOXSportsWisconsin.com reports.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson will likely miss one spring start, according to MLB.com.

Nelson came into camp dealing with a hamstring injury, but was able to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. He reported no issues on Monday, and is close to getting back on a normal schedule. Despite that, he's likely to miss out on one start this spring. Manager Ron Roenicke doesn't think it's a big deal. "You could say he's behind, but do they really need all those games?" Roenicke said. "I don't know."

The 25-year-old Nelson is expected to compete for a spot in the team's rotation this spring. He posted a 4.93 ERA over 69 1/3 innings last year. 

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson threw live batting practice Sunday and reported no issues, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Nelson has been suffering from a hamstring injury, which pushed back his previous batting practice session.

Padres manager Bud Black said pitcher Brandon Maurer has stood out during spring training and would not rule out Maurer moving to the starting rotation, reports U-T San Diego.

"He's got the ability to start," Black said. "We're not ruling that out long term."