MLB Player News

Castillo spent a portion of spring training working on improving his slider, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Pitching coach Derek Johnson spoke of that work developing the slider: "There were some (strikeouts) on his slider, which I think has gotten better. I don't have the numbers in front of me on what he struck out guys with. Of course, the changeup is a weapon. I also think in time guys are going to start looking for his changeup more."

Last year, Castillo used his slider the least often of his four pitches, throwing it 17 percent of the time. It generated a lot of whiffs (47.5%) and a low batting average against (.190), but opposing hitters did some damage when they made contact, slugging .452 against it. The changeup will likely always be Castillo's best pitch, but he would benefit from a second reliable offspeed offering.

Gray allowed one run on two hits with one strikeout and zero walks over two innings during his only Cactus League appearance prior to the suspension of spring training.

The 28-year-old underwent left foot surgery in August and had a delayed start to spring training, but he made his Cactus League debut March 1 and was on track to begin the regular season healthy. Gray had a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 150:56 K:BB across 150 innings prior to the injury last season, and he has a solidified spot near the top of the Rockies' starting rotation once the season resumes.

Eickhoff allowed two runs on four hits in four Cactus League innings while posting a 7:0 K:BB.

Eickhoff was never really in contention for a spot in the rotation after signing a minor-league deal with the Padres in January. The 29-year-old is likely to open the campaign with Triple-A El Paso but could be among the first in line for a callup should a San Diego starter go down with injury. Eickhoff holds a career 4.15 ERA (4.39 FIP) and 21.3 percent strikeout rate over 440 major-league innings.

Davies solidified his spot in the Opening Day rotation with a strong showing in Cactus League play, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Davies allowed only one earned run and posted an 8:1 K:BB over eight innings this spring, all but assuring his place in San Diego's rotation. While he doesn't offer much in the strikeout category -- Davies has yet to reach a 20 percent strikeout rate over any season in his career -- the right-hander possesses a steady floor, as he has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in all but one major-league campaign.

Gray has been able to work out with teammate Curt Casali during MLB's shutdown period, MLB.com reports.

Gray only threw seven innings in spring training, as he was just a tad behind his teammates because of his offseason arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove bone chips. He was fully healthy in those outings, however. He should be at full capacity whenever baseball is ready to resume.

DeSclafani pitched in two official spring training games (with his other work coming in simulated games), allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out four.

Just making it to the Opening Day bell has been a challenge some years for DeSclafani, but he made it through 2019 unscathed. The Reds are hoping for continued health and progress against left-handed hitters from the 29-year-old.

Suarez's chances of winning the Phillies' fifth starter job could take a hit if a shortened schedule leads to the team promoting Spencer Howard for the start of the campaign, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez pitched well in eight Grapefruit League innings, posting an 8:0 K:BB while allowing just two earned runs. That gave him a legitimate shot to edge out Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta for the job, but a promotion for Howard could render the entire battle irrelevant.

Eflin's rotation spot is safe even if the shortened season means the Phillies elect to open the campaign with Spencer Howard on the big-league roster, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin isn't a dominant weapon by any means, but he seemed to have a firm grip on a rotation spot despite his 4.13 ERA last season not being particularly well supported by his 4.85 FIP and 4.76 xFIP. If Howard does indeed open the season in the big leagues, that will come at the expense of Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta, who were battling for the fifth starter spot.

Wheeler finished his Grapefruit League campaign with a 5.40 ERA and a 9:3 K:BB in 8.1 innings.

Small-sample ERAs don't mean much, and they shouldn't be too worrying in Wheeler's case. He posted spring ERAs of 8.10 and 4.80 in 2018 and 2019, respectively, but finished the regular season with ERAs of 3.31 and 3.96. He'll slot in as the Phillies No. 2 starter behind Aaron Nola this season.

Gausman will work as either the Giants' No. 3 or No. 4 starter this year, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He had a 4.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB in 10.1 innings (four starts) this spring. Gausman has teased with his potential for years, and this could be his last chance to make it as a starter. He has a 94-mph fastball and excellent splitter but has been unable to develop a reliably effective breaking ball.