MLB Player News

Gallen allowed two hits and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Sunday's spring opener against the Rockies.

Gallen wasn't in midseason form, which is natural, and he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he had minor delivery-related issues that he wants to clean up going forward. The right-hander was encouraged by catcher Carson Kelly saying his pitches had good "action and shape." Gallen threw 47 pitches (29 for strikes) and didn't get three outs during the first inning. The Diamondbacks opted to "roll" the first inning after he threw 20 pitches. As part of COVID-19 protocols, teams can "roll" an inning -- end the inning -- after a pitcher throws 20 pitches, which is where Gallen was at after striking out one, walking two and inducing a flyout.

Gomber tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gomber is competing for a back-end rotation spot with the Rockies after he was dealt to the team at the beginning of February. The southpaw made a good impression while starting the Cactus League opener. He threw 19 of his 25 pitches for strikes and worked around an error in the first inning against Arizona. Manager Bud Black was pleased with his aggressive pitching during his debut with the team. Gomber made 14 appearances (four starts) for the Cardinals last year and posted a 1.86 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 29 innings.

Mikolas won't pitch in Monday's simulated game as previously scheduled since the Cardinals are showing caution early in camp, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

There was no announcement of any sort of injury, but it's an ominous sign the team is pushing back the outing coming off his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday. Mikolas missed the entirety of 2020 while recovery from surgery on the flexor tendon in his right forearm, so hopefully the Cardinals are simply being overly cautious for his first work against live hitters in camp.

Mets manager Luis Rojas said that Syndergaard (elbow) was cleared to throw sliders during his bullpen session Saturday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Syndergaard had previously been limited to throwing fastballs in his side sessions, but his ability to incorporate breaking pitches into those workouts represents another small step forward in his recovery process from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander still won't be eligible to make his 2021 debut any sooner than early June after being placed on the 60-day injured list earlier in camp.

The Reds might choose to use Lorenzen in a bullpen role, even if he pitches well as a starter in spring training, if they decide they need him more as a reliever, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "It's got to be about what is the best thing for our team to maximize the chances for us to win," pitching coach Derek Johnson said. "I certainly think he can be a starter. I think he'd be a good one. I also think he's a pretty good reliever and if that's the case and we really need him in that spot, that may be the direction that we have to go."

The Reds are sort of locked in with Wade Miley as the fourth starter, at least to begin the season, as he's less suited to relieving. That leaves one starting slot open between Lorenzen, Tejay Antone, Jose De Leon and Jeff Hoffman. The Reds might ultimately decide they're better balanced with Lorenzen beginning the year in the bullpen and Antone starting, for instance. The team has suggested that they'd prefer a five-man rotation over a six-man one, at least for now.

Soroka (Achilles) has been taking part in fielding drills in camp without any issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "I think he's right on time with everything [the trainers] are putting him through and where they think he should be," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Saturday. "I know they've put him through a lot of drills on the mound with comebackers and [fielding] bunts. There hasn't been any setbacks, and he is checking all their boxes."

The right-hander's availability for Opening Day remains in question, but so far Soroka has passed every test as he completes his recovery from last year's torn Achilles tendon. Expect the team to be cautious with the 23-year-old no matter how he looks throughout camp, however. Soroka's forte is generating weak contact, not striking hitters out, so Atlanta won't want to take any risks when it comes to re-injuring himself while fielding his position.

Mejia (visa issues) arrived at camp and participated in Saturday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Mejia made his MLB debut last season for Miami despite never appearing above High-A while in the Marlins organization. He's expected to to pitch in the minors for the Diamondbacks, who acquired him as part of a package from Miami in the Starling Marte deal.

Brubaker is expected to battle for the team's fifth rotation spot, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He made nine starts and two relief appearances in his major-league debut last summer, compiling a 4.94 ERA (4.14 xFIP) and 1.37 WHIP in 47.1 innings. Brubaker features an effective slider, but the shape of his curveball is often too similar. The organization's 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year missed nearly all of 2019 with a strained forearm, but he's healthy for the second straight year. The 27-year-old likely has an inside shot at the final rotation spot due to glimpses of effectiveness in 2020, but he will be challenged by the likes of Cody Ponce and Wil Crowe.

Martinez did a good job keeping several Cardinals starters off balance with his breaking pitches during Friday's live batting practice session, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The veteran right-hander is gunning to fill the one projected vacancy in the Cardinals' starting rotation, and he certainly made an impression Friday by flummoxing the trio of Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and Yadier Molina. Martinez will soon have a chance to make his case for a starting role in Grapefruit League games as well, but even if he is passed over for a rotation spot to start the season, he could well prove to be an important relief asset after performing well in that capacity in 2018 and 2019.

Wright will start Atlanta's Grapefruit League opener Sunday against the Rays, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander is in the mix for a potential vacancy in the team's rotation to begin the season if Mike Soroka (Achilles) isn't quite ready to go for Opening Day. Wright struggled to a 5.21 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 30:24 K:BB through 38 innings last year, but the 25-year-old did close out the 2020 regular season with three straight quality starts and may be ready to take the next step forward in his development.