MLB Player News

Schwellenbach gave up two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out 10 in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The right-hander built up to 78 pitches (57 strikes) in a dominant outing against a Yankees lineup that featured Aaron Judge, Austin Wells and a bunch of bench players and minor leaguers. The level of competition doesn't take away from Schwellenbach's performance though, as he didn't even allow a runner to reach second base. With Opening Day on the horizon, Schwellenbach seems more than ready, having posted a 2.41 ERA and eye-popping 26:2 K:BB through 18.2 Grapefruit League innings.

Gomber (shoulder) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Gomber is recovering well from left shoulder soreness, but he's made just one appearance this spring and that was back on Feb. 25. The left-hander is expected to be ready to rejoin the Rockies' rotation early on in the season. Colorado will operation with a four-man rotation until Gomber is ready.

Dollander is likely to begin the season in the Triple-A Albuquerque rotation, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Dollander has trended up in his last two Cactus League starts, throwing a combined 7.2 scoreless innings with a 10:4 K:BB. However, he yielded 10 runs (nine earned) and walked five over 6.2 frames in his first three outings, and the Rockies evidently think he could use a little more seasoning in the minors. While Dollander appears headed to Albuquerque for now, he remains a good bet to spend a large chunk of the 2025 campaign in the Rockies' rotation.

The Diamondbacks are fielding interest from other teams about a possible trade involving Montgomery, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports.

Montgomery, who got a late start to Cactus League action due to a strained finger, made his second spring start Wednesday, throwing 40 pitches. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings. It was an encouraging outing that could lead to further interest as teams set rosters for Opening Day. The left-hander is competing with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the final spot in Arizona's rotation. Whatever happens, Montgomery will get one more Cactus League outing to build up his pitch count and could be ready for the first week of the regular season, if he's pitching at the back end of the rotation or if a team uses an off day to get by with four starters.

Walker took the loss in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees after giving up six runs (three home runs) on nine hits and two walks with just one strikeout in 3.2 innings, but Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia believes the right-hander could play a meaningful role to open the season.

With Ranger Suarez dealing with mild back stiffness, it's become uncertain whether he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. If Suarez is unable to make his first turn in the rotation or needs to begin the campaign on the injured list, Walker is the next man up on the depth chart to fill his spot. The right-hander is in line to get one more start this spring, and regardless of role, he's all but guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster despite carrying 6.92 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with six punchouts over 13 frames in exhibition play. Walker's name has been previously mentioned in trade rumors, but a deal seems unlikely at this point given Suarez's injury and the remaining two years and $36 million left on Walker's contract.

Matz limited the Nationals to one run over six innings in Grapefruit League action Wednesday.

The left-hander permitted just four hits and two walks while recording a pair of strikeouts and getting his pitch count up to 85. Matz has fanned only 11 batters over 17.2 frames this spring, but he's allowed just five runs and looks to have a firm grip on a rotation spot in St. Louis.

Suarez underwent tests after feeling tightness in his back Sunday, one day after pitching in an intrasquad game, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson contends that the back issue is "not as bad" as the one that cost Suarez more than a month of action during the second half last season. However, he will not start Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the Blue Jays and more will be known about his status within the next 2-to-3 days. If Suarez is not ready for the start of the season, Joe Ross could slide into the Phillies' rotation in his place.

Gasser (elbow) has advanced his throwing program to flat-ground throws from 120 feet, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The next step for Gasser -- who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery -- could be to throw from the mound. Gasser is eyeing a return in August or September of this season.

Cavalli (elbow) is expected to start the season on the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Cavalli is considered healthy this spring after being limited to just 8.1 innings over the last two seasons following March 2023 Tommy John surgery. However, he has not made any Grapefruit League appearances and the Nationals plan to manage his workload in the first half of the season. Cavalli could be a factor with the big club after the All-Star break, but the club will bring him along slowly.

Canning gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out nine.

The right-hander built up to 71 pitches (45 strikes) in a dominant outing that was blemished only by a Josh Lowe solo shot in the first inning. Canning was never able to reach his potential with the Angels, but he may have figured something out with the help of the Mets' coaching staff. Over 10 Grapefruit League innings he's delivered a stunning 16:2 K:BB, and Lowe's homer marked the first run he's allowed this spring.