MLB Player News

Flaherty, who threw just 17 of 39 pitches for strikes in his Grapefruit League debut Sunday against Washington, confirmed he wasn't experimenting with any new pitchers or mechanics during his outing and blamed himself for simply executing poorly, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "Pitched horribly, set a horrible tone, but [Thomas] Parsons came in and did a really good job after me, and then Johnny Gant picked up from there," Flaherty said. "Bad way to set a tone for the team for spring, but the guys came and picked me up."

Flaherty labored through a 23-pitch first inning that started out positively enough with a strikeout but devolved into the right-hander allowing a single and two walks before the frame ended early due to his elevated pitch count. With the second inning even more nightmarish -- Flaherty surrendered three consecutive singles, uncorked two wild pitches and issued a walk before getting the hook -- his first taste of 2021 game action was undeniably disastrous. Making the poor showing all the more jarring was the fact Flaherty is considered the ace of the staff and was just designated the Opening Day starter, but he'll at least have plenty more opportunities to round into form over the next five weeks of Grapefruit League action.

Kelly will start Monday's spring game against the Brewers, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Kelly follows Zac Gallen in the spring rotation. The right-hander will be making his first game appearance since being shut down after five starts in 2020 due to thoracic outlet syndrome. He was pitching well at the time, having posted a 2.59 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 31.1 innings.

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.