MLB Player News

Griffin gave up two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings in Wednesday's exhibition game against Team Venezuela. He struck out one.

Seeing his first game action of the spring, the 30-year-old left-hander tossed just 15 strikes on 29 pitches but avoided any damage against a star-studded lineup headlined by the likes of Ronald Acuna, Jackson Chourio and Salvador Perez. Griffin is expected to break camp in the Nationals' rotation after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal to return to MLB from Japan, and the addition of a split-finger fastball to his low-velocity arsenal could allow him to handle a regular turn, or transition to a swingman role if Washington gets unexpected contributions from younger arms.

Peterson gave up one hit and two walks over three scoreless innings during Wednesday's exhibition game against Team Israel. He struck out four.

The Israeli WBC lineup doesn't have any big MLB names in it, and Peterson had little trouble navigating his three frames on 48 pitches (28 strikes). The southpaw is locked into a rotation spot for the Mets after throwing a career-high 168.2 innings in 2025, but his 4.22 ERA and 1.37 WHIP were significant downgrades from his 2024 numbers.

The Diamondbacks optioned Ray to minor-league camp Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ray was added to Arizona's 40-man roster this offseason but never had a real chance to crack the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old permitted four runs (two earned) with a 2:2 K:BB over 1.1 frames in his lone Cactus League appearance. Ray will open the 2026 season in the Triple-A Reno rotation.

The Diamondbacks optioned Diaz to minor-league camp Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Diaz was touched up for four runs on three hits and two walks over 1.2 innings this spring. The righty shifted to a relief role at Triple-A Reno last season and will have to harness his control (73 walks in 57 minor-league innings in 2025) before the Diamondbacks consider him for their bullpen.

Scott allowed two hits over 2.2 scoreless innings in Wednesday's exhibition game against Team Israel. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It was the first game action since July 2024 for the right-hander as he enters the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Scott fired an impressive 40 of his 50 pitches for strikes after taking over from David Peterson to begin the fourth inning, and his fastball topped out at 96.8 mph. Scott will begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse barring a rash of injuries to the Mets' rotation, but he figures to be a factor for the big club some time this summer.

Drohan tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Cubs. He gave up one hit, struck out four batters and walked one.

Drohan tossed two scoreless innings in his late-February spring debut, and he one-upped himself in his next opportunity. The 27-year-old has never appeared in a major-league game, and given Milwaukee's starting pitching depth, it's likely his season will begin in the minors. However, he shined at the Triple-A level last season and is doing the same this spring, so he could be an option for the big club at some point.

The Astros optioned Ullola to minor-league camp Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ullola was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, but he was always destined for Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season. The right-hander should open 2026 in Sugar Land's rotation, but a career 15.6 percent walk rate in the minors could point to an eventual move to the bullpen if he can't harness his control.

DeGrom allowed one run on three hits and struck out three over two innings in Wednesday's spring exhibition against Team Brazil.

DeGrom took the mound for the first time this spring, part of a gradual buildup for the Rangers' ace. For comparison, deGrom's first of three spring starts in 2025 came on March 8. Texas manager Skip Schumaker plans to follow a similar path for the 37-year-old this year with an eye toward having him pitching in September. DeGrom's 172.2 innings in 2025 were the most he's thrown since 2019. On Wednesday, the right-hander threw 39 pitches (27 strikes) with the lone run coming on a home run by Lucas Ramirez.

Lowder allowed two hits and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Team Cuba.

Lowder had another strong effort in his third outing, mixing in all four of his pitches during the 43-pitch appearance. It was his second consecutive scoreless effort, and he's now recorded 21 consecutive outs. The right-hander is part of a group competing for the final rotation spot, but Lowder's addition to the starting staff appears to be a formality, especially now that No. 1 starter Hunter Greene left camp to get his elbow checked out.

Pfaadt allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one over 2.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League start against the Athletics.

Pfaadt threw an efficient 25 pitches (15 strikes) to get those seven outs in his Cactus League debut, as Athletics hitters were aggressive. The right-hander was behind other starters in camp, because of a side issue that cropped up during offseason workouts. Pfaadt threw all six of his pitches. Despite the late start, he should have enough time to be ready by Opening Day.