MLB Player News

Detmers pitched four innings in a Cactus League contest against the Padres on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

Kyle Hendricks began the game with five frames for the Angels, and Detmers followed by pitching the remaining four innings. The lefty is locked into a competition with Jack Kochanowicz for the final spot in the Angels' rotation, and both pitchers have made a strong case this spring. Detmers has posted a 2.30 ERA and 12:2 K:BB over 13.2 innings while Kochanowicz has a 2.92 ERA and 7:4 K:BB across 12.1 frames. Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune reports that the Angels are considering using whichever of the two pitchers doesn't get the rotation spot as a long reliever, though it's not clear if the team is leaning toward Detmers to come out of the bullpen since he's worked in relief in three out of his five Cactus League appearances, while Kochanowicz has started in all four of his outings.

Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings Sunday in a Cactus League start against San Diego.

Hendricks was touched up for two runs in the third frame but otherwise kept the Padres off the scoreboard. The veteran lefty has pitched well in his first spring training with the Angels, posting a 2.63 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 13.2 innings across four starts. Kendricks is penciled in for a starting role at the back of the team's rotation after Los Angeles signed him to a one-year contract last November.

Suarez picked up the win in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.

Suarez is battling with Cade Povich for Baltimore's final rotation spot to begin the year in Grayson Rodriguez's (elbow) stead, and Sunday's effort should help his case of beginning 2025 as a starter. After giving up seven runs across 4.1 innings in exhibition play during February, Suarez has bounced back with a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 12.2 frames in March. It's possible the veteran right-hander gets one more spring start before the Orioles make a final decision between Suarez and Povich.

Matthews was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Matthews had a strong showing in spring training with 9.1 scoreless innings and a 12:1 K:BB. He could be the first starter called up when a spot opens in the rotation. Matthews could still find success in the majors this season with his minuscule walk rate (1.0 BB/9 career in minors), strong strikeout rate (10.2 K/9 career in minors) and velocity.

Festa was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Festa was a candidate to win a rotation spot, but struggled with an 11.94 ERA and 11: 3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this spring. Festa showed promise last season with a 10.8 K/9 and 12.7 percent swinging strike rate, but he recorded a 4.40 ERA (though a 3.75 FIP) in 14 games with the Twins. He could join the rotation early in the season if there's an opening.

Schmidt won't start Monday's spring game as scheduled due to shoulder soreness, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been having some issues in his recovery between outings, with manager Aaron Boone saying that Schmidt has not been "getting all the way back to how he normally would." According to Erik Boland of Newsday, Schmidt isn't headed for medical testing and is still expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, so it's possible he's ready to go for the start of the season.

Adams was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow Sunday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old is without an official return timeline but is likely to be sidelined for multiple weeks, if not months. Adams received a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte late last season and had a 4.95 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across 20 innings.

The Rangers named Eovaldi as their starter against the Red Sox for Opening Day on March 27.

It'll be the fifth Opening Day start of Eovaldi's career and his second straight for Texas. The veteran right-hander is still getting on track in spring training with seven runs allowed over nine frames, but he's coming off a 2024 campaign that saw him finish with a 3.80 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 166:42 K:BB across 170.2 innings.

Skubal allowed two runs on six hits across five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

This was the longest spring start so far for Skubal, who appears to be ready for the regular season. To no one's surprise, the lefty has been sharp during the exhibition slate, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 13.1 Grapefruit League innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner may make one more spring appearance before starting Detroit's season opener March 27, on the road against the Dodgers.

Manager Joe Espada announced Sunday that Valdez will start Opening Day against the Mets on March 27, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After posting a career-best 2.91 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB across 176.1 regular-season innings last season, it was only a matter of time before Espada named Valdez as Houston's Opening Day starter. The left-hander has focused on the movement of his pitches during spring training and overall has pitched well with a 2.53 ERA across 10.2 innings.