MLB Player News

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.

Waldron has allowed one run on six hits while striking out eight over nine innings through his first three Cactus League appearances.

Waldron surrendered his first run of the spring Monday afternoon against the Cubs, but he was otherwise able to work out of danger despite giving up six hits. He's making a strong push in the early going to earn a spot as a starter, and according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Waldron could even be the current favorite to shore up the back end of the rotation.

Brito allowed five hits and struck out six over 3.1 scoreless innings during Monday's exhibition against the Cubs. He didn't factor into the decision.

Brito has looked sharp so far this spring, surrendering three runs on nine hits while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings of work. He's also yet to issue a walk. The 26-year-old has put himself in a good position early on to win a spot in San Diego's starting rotation, though his work is far from over, as Matt Waldron has also been a bright spot thus far for the Padres.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Atlanta is now left with 53 players in camp after making a handful of cuts. Winans held a 5.29 ERA but a 34:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering six starts in the majors last season and figures to wind up spending some time with the big club in 2024.

Dodd was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Dodd is a good bet to make some starts with the big club this season, but as things stand right now there's no room for him. The left-hander held a 7.60 ERA over seven starts with Atlanta last season.

Anderson (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Anderson will be sidelined until around midseason while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately for him, he was injured while in the minors, which means he can be optioned rather than placed on the 60-day injured list and earn a major-league paycheck.

Houser gave up three runs on four hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out two.

The 31-year-old right-hander worked up to 43 pitches (29 strikes) but gave up a lot of loud contact to a Houston lineup that featured only a couple regulars, including two doubles by Jake Meyers and a Jon Singleton two-bagger that nearly left the yard. Houser would need to have a disastrous spring to lose his spot in the Mets' rotation after signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the team in January, but his 4.42 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 6.9 K/9 over the last two seasons with the Brewers give him little fantasy appeal outside.

Megill has emerged as the favorite to win the Mets' No. 5 starter job, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander added a splitter to his arsenal over the winter, and so far the results have been encouraging, as Megill has allowed one run over his first five Grapefruit League innings with a 7:0 K:BB. A pitch that can generate more whiffs could be crucial for his fortunes -- after posting a strikeout rate north of 25 percent in the majors in 2021 and 2022, Megill saw that number drop to 18.5 percent last year. The Mets have a hole to fill in their Opening Day rotation due to Kodai Senga's shoulder strain, and while Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi still have a chance to make their case for the No. 5 job to start the season due to Senga's expected absence, it appears to be Megill's to lose.

Wolf was optioned to Double-A Altoona by the Pirates on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Wolf struck out a pair in a scoreless inning in his lone appearance this spring. The tall left-hander skipped over the Triple-A level to make a spot start for the Padres last season before landing in Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. He'll head back to the Double-A level for more seasoning.