MLB Player News

Gore gave up three runs in three innings in an intrasquad game Monday night, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Gore's performance wasn't a disaster -- he struck out Fernando Tatis and used his pickoff move to trap two players in rundowns -- but, per Acee, the 21-year-old worked from behind throughout the outing and struggled with his command after his first inning. Of course, it's unwise to read too much into the stud prospect's performance in his first intrasquad outing of summer camp, and there remains a tangible possibility that Gore could factor into the team's MLB plans at some point in 2020.

Kaminsky was added to the Cardinals' 60-player roster pool and will report to camp at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old signed with the Cardinals in December and was likely headed to Triple-A Memphis before the hiatus and ultimate shutdown of the minor-league season. Kaminsky had a 5.11 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 24.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2019.

Martinez has officially been cleared of COVID-19 and is reporting to summer camp Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 28-year-old was absent for the initial stages of workouts while awaiting his COVID-19 test results, but he joined his teammates Tuesday and threw a bullpen session. Martinez is likely destined to operate as the Cardinals' fifth starter, but depending how things progress in camp the team could also elect to shift him back to the bullpen, especially if Giovanny Gallegos' travel delay puts the closer's availability for Opening Day in question.

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.