MLB Player News

Martinez, who's still awaiting medical clearance to participate in summer camp workouts, could potentially end up in the bullpen again to start the 2020 season, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch opines.

Hummel's speculation on Martinez's early season prospects was prompted by a reader question regarding the possible ramifications of manager Mike Shildt's recent comment that the right-hander is losing ground by not being on the field. Shildt seems to be alluding to the No. 5 starter role, which Martinez has been ticketed for but hasn't necessarily locked down. Hummel points out that offseason acquisition Kwang-Hyun Kim is a viable candidate for the back-end rotation job as well, and that Martinez could once again open the season as the closer if Giovanny Gallegos' ongoing travel delay that currently sees him grounded in Mexico extends much longer.

Keller used his own Rapsodo device during the shutdown period to improve the spin efficiency on his fastball, Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

It sounds like Keller was very self-motivated to improve as a pitcher during the shutdown period, using the Rapsodo (a pitch design tool) to up his spin efficiency from the low 90s to the 95th percentile. He has a reputation for having the velocity but not the ideal movement on his fastball, which is sometimes referred to as "straight", so if Keller's fastball can miss more bats he could be primed for a breakout 2020 season. Keller said Monday that he feels "really good" so he appears primed to open the season in Pittsburgh's rotation.

Gonsolin has yet to report to Dodgers camp for undisclosed reasons, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

If Gonsolin's absence were due to COVID-19, the Dodgers wouldn't legally be able to confirm. Gonsolin is a potential rotation candidate this season after David Price announced over the weekend that he'd elected to opt out of playing this year, but if he's unable to get up to a starter's workload by Opening Day, that idea will have to be put on hold for now.

Denaburg (shoulder) said Tuesday that he expects to resume throwing bullpen sessions in the next three weeks, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.

The 2018 first-round pick has been pleased thus far with how he's progressed since undergoing arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last October. Denaburg plans to gradually increase his long-toss distance off flat ground through the end of July, and then get back on the mound for the first time since last summer. If the 20-year-old can steer clear of any major setbacks in his throwing program during the upcoming offseason, he should head into the 2021 minor-league season at full strength.

Wright will compete for the final spot in the Braves' rotation with Felix Hernandez opting out of the 2020 season, Charles Odum of the Associated Press reports.

He seems like the most deserving option, but Wright will have to stave off Sean Newcomb and, to a lesser extent, Bryse Wilson, in the coming weeks. Wright logged a 2.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 92:23 K:BB in 79.2 innings over his final 13 starts at Triple-A last season and posted a 2.03 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings this spring.

Matz drew raves from manager Luis Rojas for his performance during a simulated game Monday, Bradford William Davis of The New York Daily News reports. "Eye-popping," Rojas said during a Zoom call with the media. "All the pitches are looking great."

The Mets manager further said that Matz's command appeared to be ahead of schedule. The southpaw will be counted on to fill a spot behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman at the back of the team's rotation this season, but Matz's erratic track record in the majors makes him a somewhat risky fantasy option.

Gallen threw 50 pitches over three innings in an intra-squad game Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen labored at times, giving up five runs on four hits, but accentuated the positive. "I felt good," Gallen said. "The body feels like, I think, where I would be any other time I go three innings, 50 pitches. Everything feels good, action on the stuff feels good." Manager Torey Lovullo echoed the pitcher's comments and was pleased to see the hitters were ready to jump on Gallen's mistakes. The right-hander is expected to occupy the third slot in Arizona's rotation.

Kershaw tossed four scoreless innings in an intrasquad game Monday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out one batter. He threw 73 pitches.

Despite the lack of strikeouts, Kershaw looked strong in his first instrasquad appearance of summer camp. This follows an impressive run during spring training in which the southpaw hurled 4.2 scoreless innings while compiling an 8:2 K:BB. Most importantly, Kershaw's pitch count (73) Monday suggests that he is on track to take on a full workload when he faces the Giants on Opening Day.

May threw three innings Sunday and should be stretched to five frames by the start of the regular season, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

May is among three candidates for the fifth-starter spot that became available when David Price opted out of the campaign. It is difficult to ascertain whether May or Ross Stripling is the frontrunner for the role, with both men having a strong case to join the rotation. In 14 games (including four starts) with the Dodgers last season, May posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB over 34.2 innings.

Stripling wants to be part of the Dodgers' starting rotation and is on track to be able to pitch six innings by the start of the season, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

With David Price opting out of the season, the Dodgers have a sudden need for a starter to round out the rotation. There are other candidates for the role -- namely, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin -- but Stripling would appear to have a viable chance given his experience and success as a starter. The right-hander has opened 52 games for Los Angeles in his four-year career, registering a 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 250:55 K:BB over 257 innings.