MLB Player News

Puk gave up one hit and two walks over three scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out six.

With Braxton Garrett (shoulder) not expected to be ready for Opening Day, the Marlins have a vacancy in their rotation, and Puk is making a compelling early case to win it. Through his first five spring innings, the 28-year-old southpaw has delivered a 9:3 K:BB and a 0.00 ERA. Puk hasn't started a game at any level since 2021 and hasn't been a full-time starter since a stint at Double-A in 2017, but the plan to stretch him out in camp has gone without a hitch so far, and he tossed 27 of 46 pitches for strikes Monday.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Gray has been diagnosed with a "mild" right hamstring strain and it would be "challenging" getting the pitcher ready in time for Opening Day, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Mozeliak referred to the news as "encouraging" on the whole, but Gray will need some down time and is not expected to be ready for what would have been his Opening Day start March 28 versus the Dodgers. Zack Thompson or Matthew Liberatore could fill Gray's spot in the rotation, and it's possible both will be needed if Steven Matz isn't quite ready.

Smith-Shawver struck out five batters over 2.2 scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, allowing just one hit and one walk.

Facing most of Minnesota's likely Opening Day lineup, Smith-Shawver fired 32 of 48 pitches for strikes in a dominant outing that saw him count Carlos Correa and Carlos Santana among his strikeout victims. The 21-year-old righty is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but after making his big-league debut in 2023, it may not be much longer before he's pushing his way into the Atlanta rotation for good. Through 4.2 innings this spring, Smith-Shawver has an 8:2 K:BB.

Taillon hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game yet this spring, as he's working on repeating his mechanics to keep from striding and landing open, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He had a good second half with the Cubs last year (3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), so it's a little concerning that he showed up to camp with mechanical issues. Taillon was scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, so he is at least healthy enough to throw at full strength, even though he has also dealt with calf tightness this spring. If all went well Monday, the plan is for Taillon to get into a Cactus League game this weekend.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that Garrett (shoulder) will likely begin the season on the injured list, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Schumaker noted that Garrett "feels great" as he works his way back from some early-camp left shoulder soreness, but the team does not think it's a good idea to push him to be ready in time for Opening Day. The southpaw has been throwing bullpen sessions and a live batting practice session appears imminent. With Garrett expected to miss at least a start or two, it could clear a path for A.J. Puk in Miami's rotation.

Abbott allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out two over three innings in Monday's spring start against the Athletics.

The A's jumped on Abbott early, touching him up for three runs and five hits in the first inning, including Shea Langeliers' three-run home run. The left-hander met with more trouble in the third when he gave up singles to the first two hitters, leading to the fourth run. Abbott is in the mix for the final spot of the rotation; however, there could be two open slots depending on how Nick Lodolo (lower leg) progresses.

Henry allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Monday's spring game against the White Sox.

Henry entered the third inning following starter Brandon Pfaadt and made his third appearance of the Cactus League, getting up to 56 pitches. He was pulled in the middle of the fifth inning after bumping up against his pitch limit. It was the first time he's met with any resistance this spring; the left-hander breezed through his previous outings, allowing just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. Henry and Ryne Nelson are competing for the No. 5 starter job, and Nelson is set to start Tuesday.

Pfaadt allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over two innings in Monday's spring start against the White Sox.

Pfaadt, who made his second Cactus League start, was pleased with the results, particularly in the sequencing of his changeup and slider, per Jack Magruder of MLB.com. "We figured some things out," Pfaadt said. "The slider is going to get better as we go. Something clicks every game, and that's a win. Fastball location, I can do better getting ahead." Both he and the Diamondbacks coaching staff are focusing on his pitch mix, which was credited for Pfaadt's success over the second half of 2023.

Quantrill completed two innings while allowing two hits and one run with no strikeouts or walks in his Cactus League debut with the Rockies on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Quantrill will serve a key role in the Rockies' rotation during the regular season after being acquired by the team this offseason. He had a strong debut with the club, focusing on pumping his splitter and sinker into the strike zone. His ability to use those pitches consistently will be a key to his success, as he'll want to keep the ball on the ground while pitching in one of the more hitter-friendly home parks in the league.

Through three Cactus League outings this spring, Stone has allowed one run on three hits over 5.2 innings while posting a 4:1 K:BB.

Stone was already being considered for a spot in the Opening Day rotation entering spring with news that Walker Buehler (elbow) won't be ready to pitch right away, and a subsequent minor setback for Emmet Sheehan (general soreness) has only increased Stone's odds of working as a starter out the gate. The right-hander has done his part to boost his chances, looking great through his first three spring outings, with the most recent being a three-inning, 35-pitch scoreless start against Colorado on Sunday. Stone also put on 10-to-15 pounds during the offseason in an attempt to add and maintain velocity during the campaign, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.