MLB Player News

Spiers allowed three hits and struck out five over four scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's spring game against San Diego.

The Reds are focused on getting their projected rotation members ramped up, but Spiers will be stretched out as organizational starter depth. The 26-year-old right-hander, who is expected to open at Triple-A Louisville, has allowed two earned runs over 8.2 innings, striking out 11 and walking one.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Brubaker (elbow) has progressed to throwing off the slope of the mound, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's another box checked for Brubaker as he continues the long road back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last April. The right-hander will likely be out until around midseason.

Lodolo (tibia) threw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday and said afterward that his next step is pitching in a Cactus League game, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo's left tibia still doesn't feel 100 percent after a stress reaction in the leg caused him to miss much of last season. However, the leg doesn't seem to be bothering him to the point where he can't pitch, and the Reds appear content to allow him to ramp up his progression. Lodolo is still far from a safe bet to be ready for Opening Day, but completing a simulated game is certainly a positive step forward.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Jones is among those competing for a spot in the rotation, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Jones has turned heads this spring, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings with a 3:3 K:BB while touching triple digits on the radar gun. The 22-year-old is not on the 40-man roster and held a 4.72 ERA during his time at Triple-A Indianapolis last season, which would seem to make him a long shot for the Opening Day roster on the surface. The Pirates have a couple rotation spots up for grabs, though, so Jones could make the decision difficult if he continues to pitch well.

Lodolo (tibia) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo saw a specialist and underwent testing Monday as he deals with nagging discomfort in his left tibia. Reds manager David Bell also said the club had been set to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the next steps for the left-hander. What exactly came out of the exam and meeting remains unclear, but it would certainly appear to be a good sign that Lodolo is facing hitters again. The southpaw's status for Opening Day remains very much in question.

Winn (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Winn had to cut a bullpen session short two weeks ago due to right elbow soreness, but he's come along nicely since then. The next step for the righty should be appearing in a Cactus League game, although it's uncertain when exactly that will come. The hope is that Winn can ramp up in time for Opening Day, and if he can, he's expected to be part of the Giants' rotation.

Miller pitched three scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Angels, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one batter.

Miller tossed 42 pitches in his second start this spring, and the only two hits he allowed were singles. The right-hander went two frames in his first spring start, allowing one run on a pair of hits. Miller is on track to serve as the Dodgers No. 3 starter this season behind new arrivals Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Nelson allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over three-plus innings in Tuesday's spring start against San Diego.

Nelson navigated around traffic through the first three innings but hit a road bump in the fourth, when he was pulled without retiring a batter after giving up a two-run single. Nelson and Tommy Henry have been locked in a battle for the No. 5 starter job, and the two pitchers have mirrored each other. Both had impressive outings the first two starts before each faced adversity the third time out. Nelson has allowed three runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out 12 over eight innings.

Gallen will make his first start of spring training Thursday against the Rangers.

Gallen has thrown live batting practice and in a simulated game on the back fields in preparation for his Thursday debut. He'll be followed by Merrill Kelly on Friday, and Arizona's top two starters should each get four starts through the month before Gallen takes the ball Opening Day, March 28, against the Rockies.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Buehler (elbow) won't begin the regular season with the Dodgers, but the team hopes for Buehler to start a Cactus League game, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Buehler will miss the first few weeks of the season as he continues to work his way back from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. Heading into camp, Buehler hadn't been expected to appear in any spring training games, but the Dodgers' optimism toward getting him in a Cactus League contest may be a sign that the 29-year-old righty is ahead of schedule in his rehab process. Once Buehler is able to return to Los Angeles' rotation, he will undoubtedly be operating under an innings restriction.