MLB Player News

Bellozo struck out two in a perfect inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The right-hander got the start in the Marlins' spring opener and tossed 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. Bellozo was a surprising contributor in 2024, posting a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB over 13 starts in his big-league debut, but the 25-year-old isn't guaranteed a rotation spot this time around with Sandy Alcantara healthy and Cal Quantrill now in the fold. Bellozo is expected to compete in camp with top prospect Max Meyer and Adam Mazur for the fifth starter spot on the Opening Day roster.

Sale tossed two perfect innings with zero strikeouts in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Atlanta's southpaw ace tossed 14 of 21 pitches for strikes, per David O'Brien of The Athletic, topping out at 95 mph with his fastball and not even featuring his plus-plus slider, which helps explain the lack of whiffs. Sale is happy with where he is with his mechanics at this stage of the spring, and after winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2024 while becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to record a Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and Ks (225), he's on track to get the Opening Day assignment for Atlanta on the road against the Padres on March 27.

Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five.

In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.

Ashcraft allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against the Brewers.

It was a strong start for Ashcraft, who is looking to claim a spot in the Reds' rotation. This was his first time pitching in a game environment since he was placed on the injured list last July with elbow soreness. Once a lock for the rotation, Ashcraft needs to win a spot this spring. He told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that he picked up good routines during rehab and they carried over into Saturday's outing. With a couple of starter candidates delayed this spring -- Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) -- Ashcraft is in a good position to claim a spot in the rotation, although ever since he was drafted in 2019, the team has discussed a move to the bullpen. The right-hander said he's open for either role.

Greene allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against Cleveland.

Greene pounded the zone, which Guardians batters were prepared for and jumped on for a couple of hard-hit balls in the opening frame, including a two-run home run by Lane Thomas. "It's the first game," Greene told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "They're 0-0 pitches and guys are swinging. They know I get ahead with fastballs and for me, I wasn't disappointed or mad or scratching my head. That's going to happen." Greene allowed more hard contact in the second inning but managed to get out of a two-on, two-out jam. Greene is expected get the ball for the Reds on Opening Day.

Kopech (forearm) threw off a mound Saturday to a standing catcher, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

While it wasn't a full-fledged bullpen session, Saturday marked the first time Kopech had done any sort of mound work since the start of spring training. The 28-year-old righty has been behind schedule since the start of camp due to inflammation in his right forearm, and there's no guarantee he'll be ready to go when the Dodgers begin their domestic schedule March 27.

Sproat has added a two-seam fastball to his arsenal, and so far this spring he's been pleased with its development, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets' top pitching prospect carved up hitters at High-A and Double-A last season using only his high-octane four-seamer and baffling changeup, but Sproat's struggles late in the year at Triple-A encouraged a search for another offering. He could probably use a true breaking pitch at some point, but for now the organization is focused on reducing his pitch count with some quick groundball outs. Barring an epidemic of injuries to the big-league rotation in camp, Sproat will begin 2025 back at Triple-A Syracuse, but an MLB debut in the second half could be on the table.

Strider (elbow) threw to batters Friday, using both his fastball and curveball as he continues his recovery from last April's elbow surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

It was the first time this spring Strider had thrown more than just a bullpen session, although the hitters stepping into the box against him were instructed not to swing. The next step for the right-hander will be live batting practice, but Atlanta hasn't indicated yet when that might happen. "We've done such a good job of building a base, making sure mechanics are in a good spot. My stuff and command have come along better than I could have expected," Strider said after Friday's session. After he added a curve to his repertoire in 2023, there had been some speculation he might abandon the pitch in case it had contributed to his latest elbow woes, but Strider has no intention of doing that. "I know some people have speculated, but those people, kindly, don't have all the information," Strider said. "So I appreciate their interest, but..." He remains on track to miss the first month or so of the regular season, but the organization has held off providing any sort of firm timeline for his 2025 debut.

Burnes struck out all three batters faced in one inning Friday against the Rockies.

Burnes requested to pitch the Cactus League opener, and manager Torey Lovullo obliged. The right-hander was in the zone, landing 12 of 16 pitches for strikes. While he looked in midseason form, Burnes told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he's going to need two or three outings to feel he has everything under control. He threw mostly cutters -- the pitch he throws most often -- and sprinkled in his changeup, curveball, sinker and slider.

Rom has been shut down from throwing after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder during a recent bullpen session, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Rom had been considered fully recovered from the arthroscopic surgery he had last May, but he has now encountered a setback. He'll rest for a few days following a PRP injection before a timeline is established for when he can resume throwing. Rom was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster earlier in the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee.