MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell announced Thursday that Ashcraft will begin the season as the team's No. 3 starter, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hunter Greene was named the Opening Day starter for the Reds on Thursday afternoon, and now Bell adds that Nick Lodolo will pitch the second game of the regular season with Ashcraft following in the third. Ashcraft, 25, worked to a 4.89 ERA and 71:30 K:BB over his first 105 major-league innings (19 starts) in 2022. He's trying to add more swing-and-miss this spring.

Greene will start Cincinnati's Opening Day game versus the Pirates on March 30, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Greene will lead Cincinnati's trio of promising young starts -- himself, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft -- into what will likely be another tough season for the Reds. The right-hander threw four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring training action and has a 5.40 ERA through three spring appearances. He figures to start at least a couple more games between now and Opening Day.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson again had no update Thursday on Painter's ailing right elbow, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

"Still nothing on Andrew," said Thomson. "Still trying to get all of the results together. Once we have it we'll get it to you." Painter experienced elbow discomfort following his Grapefruit League debut last Wednesday, and it's fairly concerning that the Phillies aren't offering even a rudimentary diagnosis more than one week later. The 19-year-old right-hander is considered by most to be the No. 1 pitching prospect in all of baseball.

Webb (back) is scheduled to throw three-plus innings in a minor-league game Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Webb battled a back injury down the stretch in 2022, but he's already logged two Cactus League starts this spring and will get a little more stretched out with a back-field outing Thursday afternoon in Giants camp. The 26-year-old right-hander seems likely to get the call for San Francisco on Opening Day of the 2023 regular season.

Ortiz was added Thursday to the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic.

He's replacing Pirates teammate Jarlin Garcia, who is out indefinitely with a left arm injury. Ortiz is probably going to be ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis once the WBC is over and camp breaks, but the 24-year-old right-hander seems certain to take on a sizable role in Pittsburgh at some point in 2023.

Kershaw is set to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw has been eased along this spring, and he opted to bow out of the World Baseball Classic, but there are no pressing injury concerns at the moment for the veteran left-hander. He tossed three innings in a B game Sunday in Dodgers camp and might try to push into the fourth inning in his spring debut versus the Halos.

Henry allowed three runs and struck out three without walking a batter over four scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Rangers.

Henry made his third Cactus League start and has improved after a rocky initial appearance. The key, according to manager Torey Lovullo, was the pitcher landing his offspeed stuff effectively. "Tommy was aggressive with a three-pitch mix," Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "He seemed like he could throw the breaking ball at any time to get him back in the count. He gave us four unbelievable innings." With this outing, Henry may have altered the narrative for the fifth starter's job, which was previously thought to be a competition between Drey Jameson and Ryne Nelson. Prospect Brandon Pfaadt, who starts Friday, is also in the mix.

Nelson allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 2.2 innings in a "B" game against the Rangers on Tuesday, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson made two Cactus League starts prior to this back-field work, and he's allowed multiple runs in all three appearances, although this third outing was the best of the lot. He's had issues throwing quality strikes this spring, but the right-hander was able to land his off-speed stuff in the zone Tuesday. Nelson is competing primarily with Drey Jameson for the final rotation spot, with Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt in the mix to a lesser extent.

Velasquez allowed one hit and stuck out three while walking none across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Orioles in Grapefruit League action.

Velasquez made his second appearance as a Pirate, and he's now allowed only one earned run across five innings. He did surrender two free passes in his opening start, but he showed improved control against the Orioles. Velasquez signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh this offseason and is expected to open the campaign in the rotation.

Verlander will make his next Grapefruit League start Friday against the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander's second spring start will come against his former team. The right-hander made his Grapefruit League debut with the Mets on Sunday, going three innings while allowing a run on two hits against the Marlins. Verlander won the Cy Young award during Houston's 2022 championship season on the strength of a 1.75 ERA and 185:29 K:BB over 175 regular-season frames.