MLB Player News

Kikuchi has added a sweeper to his pitch mix, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi has worked with a four-pitch arsenal over the past two campaigns, but it appears he'll have another offering to attack hitters with this season. Bollinger notes that the lefty's new sweeper averages 81 mph with 16 inches of break, so it should give him a much different look than when he uses his traditional slider, which averages 87 mph with two inches of break. Kikuchi excelled in his second start of the spring Friday against the Royals, allowing one run on five hits while issuing three walks and striking out eight batters over 4.1 innings. He indicated that he'll take the mound one more time before the regular season kicks off, but the appearance will be either in a minor-league game or in a simulated setting. Kikuchi has been announced as the Angels' starter on Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27.

Littell allowed six earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two across two innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

This marked Littell's second official spring appearance as he continues to compete for a rotation spot to begin the regular season. He didn't help his cause with his results, as he was pulled in two separate innings before returning to build up his pitch count. Following the game, Littell chalked the performance up to simply a bad outing, while manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism that Littell would bounce back, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Perhaps the lone positive was that Littell did reach 72 pitches, suggesting he'll be fully stretched out by Opening Day. Drew Rasmussen, Littell's presumed primary competition, is set to start Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Anderson allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League game against the Athletics on Friday.

Anderson served up a solo homer to Shane Langeliers in the first inning, then retired only one of the five batters he faced in the second. The lefty was temporarily pulled, but under spring training rules he was allowed to re-enter the contest. Though Anderson was able to get through two more innings without allowing a run, he loaded the bases without retiring a batter in the fifth frame, and all three runners came around to score after his departure. Anderson hasn't been sharp this spring, as he's posted a 10.64 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB over 11 innings. Nonetheless, his veteran status limits the level of concern about his performance in exhibition play, and Anderson is locked into a spot near the top of the Angels' regular-season rotation.

Waldron suffered a mild left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Waldron's injury prevented him from pitching as scheduled against the Rangers. He'll be re-evaluated Saturday, at which point a return timeline may be established, but he's likely to be unavailable for Opening Day given the timing of the injury. The 28-year-old right-hander has had a tough time getting going this spring, surrendering 11 runs (nine earned) on nine hits and seven walks while striking out seven batters in 9.1 innings.

Gray was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist after getting hit by a comebacker during Friday's Cactus League game versus Colorado, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray took a 106.4-mph line drive off his wrist in the fourth inning of Friday's contest and was promptly removed from the game. Manager Bruce Bochy didn't provide an estimate for when the 33-year-old righty might return, but the injury will certainly delay his 2025 debut by a significant amount of time. With both Gray and Cody Bradford (elbow), set to miss Opening Day, there's a good chance that Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter will both be part of Texas' initial rotation.

Waldron didn't pitch as scheduled Friday due to a potential injury he suffered while warming up in the bullpen, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

After Waldron threw a few pitches in the bullpen preparing for what was supposed to be his fifth appearance of the spring, a trainer intervened to check on him. The 28-year-old righty then retreated into the Padres' clubhouse. It's unclear at the moment what he might be dealing with, though more information is likely to be revealed following the game.

Walker appears likely to make the Opening Day roster due to Matt Strahm's shoulder injury, but Walker could be a trade candidate this season, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After giving up just two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Walker now sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with five strikeouts across 9.1 frames to further solidify his case to be part of the Opening Day roster. Lauber notes Walker isn't a great fit for the bullpen because he's functioned as a starter for the majority of his career, but the veteran right-hander might draw trade interest if he continues to perform well. Lauber also notes the Phillies could hold onto Walker for long relief as insurance in case one of their starters gets injured, so the team does have some options while their rotation is healthy.

Wacha gave up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk in Friday's spring start against the Angels. He has a 12.38 ERA with a 10:3 K:BB in eight innings this spring.

There shouldn't be much worry about Wacha's poor spring numbers since he's a veteran with a secure spot in the rotation. He still has a strong 10 strikeouts in eight innings. Wacha has been a quality source for ERA and WHIP three years running, and he returns to a pretty good situation after re-upping with Kansas City on a multi-year deal.

Gray was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against the Rockies after getting hit on the right arm by a comebacker, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The severity of Gray's injury remains unknown, though the Rangers should release more details once they're able to take a closer look at him. The 33-year-old has had a strong spring thus far, striking out five batters over eight shutout innings.

The Cardinals optioned Munoz to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Munoz was solid in his first spring as a Cardinal, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over seven frames. However, he owns a 6.53 ERA over 82.2 career MLB innings, so it makes sense that St. Louis would like to see him sustain success over a longer period before giving him a big-league roster spot. The 24-year-old right-hander is making the switch from starter to reliever this season, which should increase his chances at reaching St. Louis once the Cards begin searching for fresh arms to cycle into their bullpen.