MLB Player News

Kochanowicz (illness) will throw a simulated game Friday and is expected to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was unable to start as scheduled Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the mound a day later indicates there's no cause for concern. Kochanowicz posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings as a rookie last year and is competing in spring training for the No. 5 spot in the Halos' rotation.

Allen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the White Sox.

Allen made his second Cactus League start and worked up to 44 pitches (26 strikes). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt was pleased with the outing but noted the pitcher's "command issues" following the game, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. Higher-than optimal walk rates were an issue for Allen last season, and he also saw a spike in home runs allowed. After teasing the Guardians in his rookie 2023 season (3.81 ERA), Allen fell off to a 5.73 ERA and allowed a combined 34 home runs in 146 innings between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus. The left-hander is one of several pitchers competing for a spot in the big-league rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) hit 90 mph during a bullpen session Thursday and is getting close to facing hitters, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia averaged 94 mph with his four-seamer during his last healthy season in 2022, but he's still ramping things back up following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks. The Astros have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but it's not clear whether he might be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances.

Priester allowed two hits and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Tigers.

This was Priester's second Grapefruit League start. The right-hander threw 35 pitches (20 strikes) and escaped a first-inning bases-loaded jam by inducing a double-play grounder. He's added velocity to his preferred pitch, the sinker, which averaged 93.1 mph in 2024. On Thursday, none of his seven sinkers were below 94.2 mph. With three of Boston's expected rotation arms delayed or iffy for the start of the season -- Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (elbow) -- Priester could find himself in an Opening Day starting role.

Flaherty allowed one run on a hit and two walks across two innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Flaherty, who signed with Detroit on a two-year, $35 million deal earlier this month, made his spring debut and looked good during his short stint on the mound. The righty has a rotation spot locked up and should serve as the team's No. 2 starter behind ace Tarik Skubal. Flaherty started last year with the Tigers before getting traded to the Dodgers, whom he helped lead to a World Series title. Overall, Flaherty posted a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 162 innings in the 2024 regular season, and he projects as a solid fantasy option in 2025.

Manning allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out two.

Manning still dealt with plenty of traffic but pitched better than his first spring appearance Saturday, when he walked four batters and allowed three runs across 1.1 innings. The 27-year-old is stretching out a bit so far in Grapefruit League play, though he could be getting ready for a long-relief role as opposed to a spot in Detroit's rotation, as the Tigers have a handful of other options to start.

Cole is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League start Friday versus the Blue Jays, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The 34-year-old ace is in a much better spot on the health front this spring compared to last, when he struggled to bounce back from his initial throwing sessions in camp and was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his right elbow. The injury prevented him from making his 2024 debut until the second half of June, and he was limited to just 124 total innings between the regular season and playoffs, which was his lowest cumulative total since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (91.1 innings). Though the Yankees are coming off a run to the World Series, Cole said earlier this month that he was able to begin his offseason program earlier than previous winters, so he hasn't required as much of an aggressive ramp-up period this spring. He'll likely cover 1-to-2 innings Friday and is expected to gradually build up his workload as he prepares for a likely starting assignment in the Yankees' March 27 Opening Day game against the Brewers.

Anderson allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in a spring start against Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Anderson allowed two doubles through three batters to give up a run, but he settled down after that and retired five of the final six hitters he faced. The veteran lefty is coming off an All-Star campaign during which he posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 142:73 K:BB over 179.2 innings. Anderson is penciled in for a spot near the top of the Angels' rotation along with new teammate Yusei Kikuchi.

McCullers (forearm) will throw live a live batting practice session Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers will face hitters for the first time since he underwent surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. McCullers has already been ruled out for Opening Day but hopes to make some Grapefruit League appearances this spring. He hasn't appeared in a major-league game since the 2022 World Series due to multiple arm injuries.

Kochanowicz was unable to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Cubs as planned due to an illness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kochanowicz has been sick this week, and while the Angels were holding out hope he could be ready to take the ball Thursday, he's not up to it yet. Caden Dana will draw the start for the Halos instead. Kochanowicz has already made one start this spring and should be ready to pitch again in a few days. He's competing for the final spot in the Angels rotation.