MLB Player News

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley, who might miss the start of the season as he works his way back from a bout of dead arm, said he came out of his Sunday start against the Mariners feeling great, according to The Arizona Republic.

"I felt fine," Miley said. "I felt like I was firm. I was able to throw in and out. The changeup was good. The slider was OK. I tried to throw a couple of curveballs in there. I was working on some things, but overall I felt good."

Yet, manager Kirk Gibson isn't ready to declare Miley, who is 1-1 with an 8.59 ERA through three spring starts, ready for the start of the season. 

"There’s nothing we’re apprehensive about as far as his arm and the way he threw the ball," Gibson said after Miley gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings. "But it’s just that he missed a start and is a little rusty."

Miley is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, but he could pitch in a minor-league game instead if the Diamondbacks want to backdate his DL stint.

The Cardinals are attempting to reach a deal with starting pitcher Adam Wainwright on a contract extension but realize the clock is ticking, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Monday. 

Wainwright has made it clear that come April 1 opening day he no longer wants to discuss his contract. Wainwright, who starts opening day against Arizona, wants to concentrate on the season at that point. 

Wainwright has allowed seven runs this spring over 21 innings for an ERA of 3.00 with 15 strikeouts. After his last start he proclaimed himself ready for the season. 

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio had another decent Cactus League start on Sunday against the Brewers. After giving up just one run his last time out, he allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings of work. The right-hander also struck out four and walked two.

“I got the ball up high trying to go inside,” Nicasio told the Denver Post. “But I feel good and I made some good pitches today.”

Nicasio has a 4.87 ERA through six spring outings with 17 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched.

Sunday's start was supposed to be a big one for Diamondbacks hurler Wade Miley against Seattle in Cactus League action. Manager Kirk Gibson said the outing would help determine if Miley is ready for the regular season or if he'll be skipped his first time through the rotation. 

It appears he may be skipped considering how poor he performed against the Mariners over 3 1/3 innings. Miley allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk during his time on the mound. He couldn't finish the fourth inning and had to be bailed out by Brad Ziegler. Miley struck out three but surrendered two home runs, including a three-run shot by Kendrys Morales in the third. 

Miley, who was delayed early in the spring due to a dead arm, would have been good to go had he performed admirably and threw at least 60 pitches, but he was not sharp. He could now begin the season on the disabled list and get a start in the minors or at extended spring training before joining the big club. 

The Rockies made several roster moves on Sunday as they moved pitchers Tyler Chatwood, Rob Scahill, Christian Friedrich and Josh Outman, catcher Gustavo Molina, second baseman Charlie Culberson, first baseman Ben Paulsen and outfielders Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson to minor-league camp. 

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said that Sunday's start for pitcher Wade Miley will go a long way to determining whether or not the pitcher begins the year in the rotation or is skipped the first time through, the Arizona Republic reports. 

Miley was delayed early in the spring due to a dead arm, but should begin the year in the rotation if he is able to reach at least 60 pitches and looks good Sunday. If he does not perform well, it is likely he could begin the year on the DL and get a start in the minors or at extended spring training before joining the big club. 

Patrick Corbin seems to be in the driver's seat to win the final spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation. He's been impressive this spring, going 3-0 with a 3.66 ERA in six outings (four starts. Honestly, though, I've been most impressed with the fact he has struck out 19 batters in 19 2/3 innings.

Last season, Corbin struck out 7.2 batters per nine innings in 22 outings (17 starts), but he definitely has room to grow in that area because he struck out 8.4 batters per nine innings in the minors.

It's not overly surprising to see Corbin the front-runner to win a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation. While Tyler Skaggs and Randall Delgado might have more long-term upside, Corbin went 31-16 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 430 2/3 minor-league innings, so it's not like he was a slouch in the minors. It's just that his upside might be as a mid-rotation arm in the majors at best.

I'd leave Corbin for NL-only and deeper mixed leagues on Draft Day.

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu turned in a solid performance in his longest performance of the spring Saturday against the White Sox. Ryu, who made his fifth Cactus League start, went seven innings strong and allowed just two runs on one hit. He retired the last 11 batters before leaving the game after the seventh inning. Ryu struck out five and walked two as he picked up the win. The left-hander is now 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in the spring. 

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi permitted three runs and nine hits over six innings during a 6-5 victory over St. Louis in a Grapefruit League game Saturday. Eovaldi, who has secured a spot in the team's rotation, struck out two during his sixth start of the spring. He did not issue a walk for the second time in the past three outings but threw a wild pitch as his ERA grew slightly to 3.65.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn allowed three runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 loss to Miami in a Grapefruit League game Saturday. Lynn, scheduled to start the third game of the regular season at Arizona, struck out five and walked two. He also hit consecutive batters to open the fourth inning.

An 18-game winner last year, Lynn has struggled after losing about 30 pounds during the offseason. The right-hander has a 6.62 spring ERA in 17 2/3 innings over five starts.

"Better, and that's what you're looking for every time out," he said. "I'm getting to be where I want to be and where I need to be for the first week of the season. I'm not worried about good or bad outings, it's about improving every time out."