MLB Player News

Gray (0-2) pitched six innings in a loss to Colorado on Thursday, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

Gray looked much better Thursday than he did in his first start of the campaign, when he gave up five runs over five innings against Atlanta. The right-hander racked up an impressive 19 swinging strikes and held Colorado to just one run, but he was on the wrong end of the 11th 1-0 outcome in Coors Field history. Gray should nonetheless have plenty of positive takeaways from this performance, as it was one of the best outings of his MLB career thus far.

Freeland (2-0) earned the win over Washington on Thursday, pitching 6.2 scoreless innings during which he yielded four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

All four of the hits Freeland gave up Thursday were singles, and he didn't allow any Nationals to reach second base. The southpaw made it through 6.2 frames on just 86 pitches, and he extended his streak of scoreless innings to begin the campaign to 12.2. Freeland has posted a mediocre 6:3 K:BB over that span, so he's not overpowering opponents, but he's given up just seven hits. The veteran hasn't finished a season with an ERA below 4.33 or a WHIP below 1.41 since 2018, so there's substantial risk in assuming he can keep this impressive run going. That said, he's almost certain to see his rostership creep up in fantasy -- especially in deeper leagues -- after his second straight excellent start.

Wood allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings Thursday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Wood was spotted a four-run lead in just two innings, but he was far too inefficient to qualify for a win. He needed 71 pitches to complete only three innings, and while he wasn't helped by an error in the second inning, he still managed to throw only 40 strikes. It was a poor start to the new season, and Wood will need to improve his performance to stick in the rotation with the likes of Sean Manaea and Jakob Junis currently working in relief.

Gonsolin (ankle) completed live batting practice Wednesday but will throw at least another bullpen session and live batting practice prior to beginning a rehab assignment, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin is working out at the Dodgers' spring training facility in Arizona as he continues to recover from a sprained left ankle. Manager Dave Roberts said Gonsolin "got through" the bullpen session, so it's unclear just how far his recovery has progressed. Regardless, it appears that Gonsolin is still at least a few weeks away from taking a big-league mound for the first time in 2023.

Fried (hamstring) has been playing catch but is still unable to run, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

After straining his hamstring last week, Fried has been playing catch in order to keep his arm warm, but he also has yet to throw off a mound. He still has over a week before he can potentially return from the injured list, but it's still unclear whether or not he'll require an extended absence.

Shuster will start for Atlanta against the Padres on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

That was the assumption when Shuster was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Gwinnett, and now it has been confirmed. San Diego makes for a tough bounce-back opponent after the 24-year-old southpaw got lit up by the lowly Nationals in his MLB debut last Sunday. There should be better fantasy streaming options on Friday's 14-game slate.

Ottenbreit is on the mend from Tommy John surgery, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

He had the procedure early last season after making just two starts for Single-A Clearwater, so Ottenbreit could come back sometime this summer. It will be interesting to see how the projectable 6-foot-4 righty's stuff looks on the other side of the surgery, as he was a strong candidate to add velocity early in his pro career.

Painter (elbow) is scheduled to start throwing next week, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

He took a month off from throwing, so everyone will nervously wait to see how his elbow responds during this first throwing session. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in March that he believes Painter can pitch for the Phillies later this season, but it will likely be a very slow and careful buildup over the coming weeks before that becomes a realistic possibility.

Ziegler is recovering from a surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

The 20-year-old righty has logged just 46.2 innings (all last year at Single-A) since being drafted out of high school in the second round of the 2021 draft. As far as elbow surgeries are concerned, this is on the minor side, so Ziegler could return sometime this summer.

Henderson is being held back in extended spring training in an effort to manage his workload this season, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

Henderson was limited to 13.2 innings in the lower minors late last season after undergoing elbow surgery in spring training, so he wasn't going to be able to pitch a full season this year anyway. He is currently pitching in extended spring training and will reportedly join a rotation at Single-A or High-A later this spring.