MLB Player News

Kershaw completed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Kansas City on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Kershaw allowed a double to Whit Merrifield in the first inning and another to Michael Taylor in the second, but he otherwise clamped down and extended his spring scoreless streak to 30 innings dating back to 2017. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw threw his fastball at 89-90 mph in the outing -- a touch below his average velocity last season, but not a major concern given the nature of the exhibition contest. Kershaw enters his 14th big-league season as the Dodgers' presumed ace despite the quality of arms that surround him in the team's starting rotation.

Gomber allowed one hit and no walks while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Friday's spring loss to the Brewers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gomber mainly threw fastballs during Sunday's Cactus League opener, but he focused more on his off-speed pitches against Milwaukee on Friday. Even though he changed his approach Friday, the southpaw had similar success and only allowed one baserunner via a one-out single in the first inning. Gomber said that he wants to combine his fastball and off-speed command in future spring outings while building up his arm strength and pitch count. The 27-year-old has limited major-league experience, but he's impressed so far during spring training while competing for a back-end rotation spot with his new club.

Meyer won't see any Grapefruit League action this spring even though he's in big-league camp, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports. "We don't want Max coming over to a game and trying to throw 100," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Thursday. "We want him to get ready to pitch this season, continue his development, and we think there's a real risk with those young guys kind of trying to impress and doing too much too early. It's a danger in camp and that's something we're gonna stay away from."

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft will still be able to soak up a big-league atmosphere, but his pro debut will have to wait until the minor-league season begins. With two plus pitches in his slider and fastball, Meyer could get a very aggressive assignment to the high minors and be on the fast track to the majors if he dominates as expected.

Rutledge struck out Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith in a 1-2-3 third inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Brandon Nimmo reached base to begin the frame, but Rutledge picked him off before shutting down two of New York's best young hitters, getting McNeil with a 96 mph fastball and Smith with his slider. The tall right-hander was the Nats' first-round pick in 2019, and while it might take a rash of injuries to push him into the big leagues this season, Rutledge could be knocking on the door of a rotation spot in 2022.

Cavalli topped out at 98 mph with his fastball during his one inning of work in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander got himself into a jam, putting runners at first and third with one out, but Cavalli proceeded to fan Khalil Lee and Drew Ferguson to escape the inning. The Nats' first-round pick in 2020 and top fantasy prospect will make his pro debut this season, and Cavalli has the pure stuff to move quickly through the system if he stays healthy and refines his control and command.

Woodruff (back) is scheduled to start Monday's spring game against the Angels, Sophia Minnaert of Fox Sports Wisconsin reports.

The 28-year-old pitched against live hitters Thursday with no issues and is poised to make his spring debut Monday. Woodruff was originally scheduled to start last Tuesday, so the back stiffness only ended up pushing back his first outing of the spring by less than a week. Assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, the right-hander shouldn't have any issues being ready for Opening Day.

Lauer has allowed five earned runs over three innings through two appearances this spring.

Lauer and the Brewers are hoping he will bounce back from a rough 2020 season in which he allowed 16 earned runs over 11 innings, but he has not shown any signs of a turnaround early on. He will have a few more opportunities to right the ship, but the Brewers can still option him, so he is going to have to show some results to avoid opening the regular season in the minors.

Martinez, who allowed six earned runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 1.2 innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Astros on Thursday, still sounded a confident tone following the outing, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. "I know the result wasn't the result I wanted, but I feel good," Martinez said. "I feel good with all my pitches. I know I can be better in the next couple starts."

The right-hander is pushing to become a prominent member of the starting rotation once again this spring, but if Martinez doesn't improve considerably, he could be fighting merely to hold onto a roster spot. Manager Mike Shildt backed up Martinez's confidence in his stuff prior to the game, lauding the veteran for coming to camp in great shape and going about his business in a positive fashion following a difficult, COVID-impacted 2020. Shildt still praised the way the ball was coming out of Martinez's hand following the outing and added, "Carlos is going to be just fine."

Kim didn't elicit any concerns from manager Mike Shildt or catcher Andrew Knizner despite struggling during his first Grapefruit League start Wednesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "I want to say his stuff was almost too good," Knizner said. "I think it was actually moving more than he probably wanted to. ... When you're throwing pitches with that much late movement, it's on the plate, and then it's off. I don't think it was anything to panic about or anything like that."

It would be easy to wince at Kim's final line -- four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks over 27 pitches across two-thirds of an inning -- but Knizner and manager Mike Shildt felt Kim was much better after getting a chance (under spring-training rules) to come back for the second inning following a discussion with rotation mate Adam Wainwright about mechanics between frames. Kim was in fact able to record one of his two strikeouts in that second frame, but the southpaw seemed a bit thrown by the 87.9 mph average velocity on his fastball. "All of my pitches were out of control and also my velo was low," Kim said. "I don't know why the reason is, but I'm trying to find out."

Anderson allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out three batters in two scoreless innings against Atlanta on Thursday.

He labored through 43 pitches, though he threw 31 for strikes and didn't issue a walk. The lefty figures to serve in the back end of the Pirates' rotation. Anderson limits hard contact (31 percent career rate) but has never struck out more than 22.3 percent of opposing batters in five MLB seasons. At 31 years of age, the organization is looking for him to eat innings and help its young pitching staff.