MLB Player News

Cease allowed three hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

This was Cease's second Cactus League outing, but he's thrown simulated games and bullpens, so his pitch count (73 pitches, 45 strikes) is right where it needs to be at this stage of the spring. Despite the free passes allowed, Cease told Scott Merkin of MLB.com that he was pleased with the outing. His fastball topped out at 99 MPH, and he feels the slider was locked in. The right-hander lamented his curveball, but Cease managed to come out of the outing unscathed. Limiting damage with a lot of traffic on the bases is something that should be taken as a positive as Cease prepares for the time when games count.

Quantrill gave up six runs on six hits over 2.2 innings with three strikeouts in Saturday's spring training loss to the White Sox. He's given up 12 earned runs in 11 innings (9.82 ERA) this spring. However, manager Terry Francona downplayed his struggles. "This kid is going to be fine," Francona told MLB.com.

Quantrill is battling Logan Allen for the fifth starter role and at least statistically he's falling far behind. Quantrill has nine walks and nine strikeouts in 11 innings. Allen has allowed one earned run in nine innings this spring. Francona's comments appear to say the race is closer than the numbers, but it's hard to feel confident about Quantrill making the rotation at this point. Still, Cleveland may not make a decision until the final week of spring training.

Gonzales allowed five earned runs on nine hits, a walk and a hit batsman across 4.2 innings in a Cactus League win over the White Sox on Friday. He struck out one.

The right-hander fell just short of his five-inning goal, yet he did actually reach the 75-pitch threshold. The majority of his troubles came over the first two frames, but Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Gonzales was able to finish on a positive note with a scoreless effort when he came back out for the third inning.

Irvin, who has a 1.50 ERA and 8:1 K:BB across 12 spring innings, is making a case for the Athletics' expected season-opening rotation vacancy, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "We're still stretching him out to be a starter, so nothing has been decided there," manager Bob Melvin said. "Depending on Mike [Fiers], we know we have four starters. It's the fifth spot that is still up for grabs at this point. [Irvin's] sinker is terrific, and he uses his breaking ball just enough. He's still competing."

Irvin logged three starts in 16 appearances for the Phillies as a rookie back in 2019, but he's opened a pair of games this spring and worked four scoreless, two-hit innings in relief during Friday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs. Gallegos notes that caliber of performance is making Irvin a surprise candidate to potentially fill in for Mike Fiers (hip) early in the season, and that even if that fails to come to fruition, the southpaw has strengthened his case to make the Opening Day roster in some capacity.

Keller will start Opening Day against the Rangers on April 1, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Keller avoided arbitration with the Royals in January, and he'll take the mound for Kansas City to begin the regular season in the second Opening Day start of his career. The right-hander has made three Cactus League starts this spring, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits and seven walks while striking out six over 9.1 innings.

Montas allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk across three innings in a Cactus League loss to the Cubs on Friday. He struck out four.

Montas' biggest mistake resulted in a solo home run by Willson Contreras in the second inning, but he was otherwise encouragingly sharp for the second time in as many spring starts. The right-hander has posted an impressive 6:1 K:BB across six Cactus League frames, and Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News reports Montas was able to hit 96-98 mph with his fastball/sinker while also using his splitter effectively and crossing the 50-pitch threshold Friday.

Hill allowed three earned runs on five hits over 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox on Friday. He struck out three.

The left-hander stretched out to 58 pitches while getting tagged for multiple earned runs for the second time in three spring starts. Despite some of the struggles, Hill has managed to avoid the long ball thus far through 6.2 Grapefruit League innings, continuing his career-long trend of doing a good job keeping the ball in the park. He lines up for at least one more start before the regular season commences.

Lynn allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Friday's spring game against the Mariners.

Lynn threw 85 pitches to get those 11 outs, so from an efficiency perspective, it wasn't a great outing. But in terms of getting ready to throw six or seven innings in the regular season, Lynn is right on schedule. The right-hander said his velocity remained high into the later innings, and that he will keep locking in his command, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Lynn will have two more spring starts to up his count to 90-plus pitches before game-planning for his first regular-season start April 3.

Schmidt (elbow) has not yet resumed throwing but is "getting close," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has been out since late February after suffering an extensor strain in his right elbow. Though the injury is believed to be minor, the right-hander remains on the shelf and is no longer in the running for an Opening Day rotation spot. He has, however, reportedly been making progress and appears likely to start a throwing program soon.

Sandoval is among a group of pitchers vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster in a relief role, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels are dealing with a number of injury concerns in the bullpen, potentially opening the door for Sandoval -- or another pitcher currently on the roster bubble -- to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. Sandoval has been used as a starter in 15 of his 19 big-league appearances, but with the team's starting rotation essentially set, his best path to major-league innings early in the campaign is likely out of the bullpen. Sandoval has struggled with his control this spring, yielding eight walks in 10 innings, but he has also struck out 13 and given up only five hits.