MLB Player News

Kopech (calf) allowed a hit, hit a batter and struck out two in one scoreless inning against the Cubs on Monday.

Kopech had his most recently scheduled outing delayed due to tightness in his calf. His fastball hit 100 mph and sat in the high 90s Monday, but it was the right-hander's slider that induced the two punchouts, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "I felt comfortable attacking the zone with my secondary pitches, which is something I've really been working on," Kopech said. "Coming out of the bullpen, getting loose that way, I'm starting to -- I wouldn't say get used to it, but get a feel for it." Kopech will be used out of the bullpen initially but could emerge in the rotation later in the season.

Cease allowed one hit and struck out two over three scoreless innings in Monday's spring game against the Cubs.

On the day when manager Tony La Russa identified the top three starters in the rotation, Cease solidified his hold on the No. 4 spot with an impressive Cactus League debut. The right-hander worked on fixing his mechanics during the offseason and early in camp, and he was pleased with the outcome. "There's always things that can be improved and worked on," Cease told Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "Threw my stuff in the zone, no walks. Made them put it in play. I'm happy with that. It's definitely encouraging." The young starter, who has drawn raves from coaches and catchers alike during his bullpen sessions this spring, had a 4.01 ERA in 2020, which involved a bit of luck, as Cease had a 6.35 FIP and .242 BABIP.

Severino (elbow) has been tossing two bullpen sessions per week but is only throwing fastballs for the time being, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Severino indicated Monday that his rehab from Tommy John surgery is going according to plan, but he will nonetheless miss a significant portion of the campaign as he continues to recover. The fact that the right-hander is able to throw twice a week is certainly a good sign, and, according to Severino, it may not be long before he's able to progress to breaking pitches.

German tossed four scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six.

German enjoyed an effective and efficient outing, needing only 46 pitches (35 strikes) to make it through four frames. He has been dominant so far this spring, throwing nine scoreless innings and yielding only five hits while posting a 13:1 K:BB. Though Deivi Garcia -- German's primary competition for the fifth-starter role -- has also thrown well this spring, German may be sliding ahead of him with his effectiveness in Grapefruit League action.

Canning has started two Cactus League games for the Angels, allowing a combined five runs on five hits over 3.2 innings while posting an 8:4 K:BB.

The strikeouts have been there for Canning, but he has otherwise struggled in his first two spring starts. In his last outing -- against the Giants on March 11 -- he was removed in the second inning after giving up three walks and a bases-clearing triple. Canning is a lock for a rotation spot, however, and will look to build upon last season's 3.99 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

Kirby was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

As expected, Kirby joined the big-league squad for the first few weeks of camp before being re-assigned. After spending the 2020 campaign at Seattle's alternate training site, he figures to begin the 2021 season at High-A or Double-A.

Hancock was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Hancock didn't see any game action while with the big-league club, but he did get an opportunity to surround himself with major leaguers during the first few weeks of spring training. He's currently ranked as one of Seattle's top prospects after being drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Kikuchi allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League win over the Brewers on Sunday. He struck out six.

Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Kikuchi's velocity ticked as high as 97 mph and he was able to utilize his cutter with more conviction. Kikuchi also stretched out all the way to 66 pitches, and although he's allowed an earned run in each of his first three spring starts, his Cactus League ERA sits at a solid 3.24 and he's held opposing hitters to a cumulative .179 average across 8.1 innings.

Montas fired three scoreless innings in a Cactus League loss to the White Sox on Sunday, allowing two hits and no walks while recording two strikeouts.

Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Montas consistently hit 95-97 mph with his fastball and even ticked up to 99 mph at one point. The right-hander also officially began the process of reincorporating a splitter that had worked very effectively back in his career-best 2019, but one that he'd largely abandoned last season. "That's something I think will help me like it helped in the past," Montas said of throwing the splitter more. "I want to be able to work on it and make sure it's ready for the season."

Boyd allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk across four innings of work in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

Boyd surrendered a leadoff home run but settled in nicely after that and looked sharp while tossing 60 pitches. He now has seven strikeouts across his last seven Grapefruit League innings, which is right in line with the 9.0 K/9 he registered in 12 starts last season, and he has a spring ERA of 2.00. If the lefty can get closer to his 2019 K/9 of 11.6 this year, he should once again be a solid fantasy asset, even if he doesn't deliver a great ERA or win total.