MLB Player News

Cole allowed six runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- over 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League loss to the Twins. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Despite the result, manager Aaron Boone described Cole's outing as "another really good step in the process," per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "I got my work in," Cole said after the game. "Not great command; I kept trying to work the fastball over and over again." Cole was pulled with two outs in the second inning but returned for the third -- allowed under spring training rules -- and totaled 54 pitches in his second appearance of the spring. While Cole's numbers were down last season following his return from an elbow injury, his track record keeps him on the SP1/SP2 border for many.

Woo struck out six over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels, giving up just one walk and one hit.

Woo dominated in this abbreviated outing, striking out the side in the first inning and generating a 59 percent whiff rate across his 37 pitches. Health concerns have kept the 25-year-old right-hander in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts this spring, but Woo excelled when available last season in the form of a 2.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 101:13 K:BB through 121.1 frames (22 starts). With the benefit of throwing at the pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park for home games, Woo carries plenty of upside in 2025 but will need to prove he can handle a full workload before establishing himself as an upper-echelon starter.

Eflin threw 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks.

After allowing one run on four hits over two innings in his first start of spring training, Eflin now carries a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP with just one punchout across 4.2 frames. Fantasy managers will want to see some improvement out of the veteran right-hander in the second half of the spring schedule, as Eflin is still getting tuned up, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. "I feel like the stuff is good," Eflin said. "Command could be a little runner. Trying to sync up my mechanics a little bit." With the status of Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) uncertain, Eflin's spot atop Baltimore's rotation could take on even more importance by the time the regular season begins.

Barco was reassigned to minor-league camp Thursday.

The Pirates' top left-handed pitching prospect, Barco made two appearances in Grapefruit League play this spring, allowing four hits, two walks and four earned runs across 2.2 innings, striking out one. Barco advanced to Double-A last season before his 2024 campaign was cut short in July due to a leg injury. He entered spring training healthy and figures to open the year back in Double-A.

Brown allowed three runs on four hits across 3.2 innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out five.

Brown picked up the start when Justin Steele (illness) was scratched before the contest. Brown is competing as a starter this spring, and while the righty has tallied nine strikeouts in just eight innings so far in Cactus League play, he's also allowed six runs on a whopping 13 hits. The 25-year-old will have to be a bit sharper if he wants to earn a rotation spot. Brown will still likely begin the year in the bullpen, though he could pick up some starts down the road if he performs well in a relief role.

Chandler was reassigned to minor-league camp Thursday.

Chandler entered spring training with a shot at winning a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, but he appears destined to open the 2025 season in the minors. Pittsburgh's top pitching prospect, Chandler made three appearances this spring, allowing five earned runs on four walks and three hits across 2.1 innings, while striking out a pair. Chandler seems likely to make his MLB debut at some point this year.

Burns made his professional debut Wednesday against the Rangers, striking out three and walking one in the ninth inning. Four of his pitches topped 100 mph, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After the game, Burns was sent down to the Reds minor-league camp, where he'll continue to get more regular work. Burns didn't pitch professional last season after getting taken No. 2 overall in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft by the Reds.

Hernandez was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings this spring, and he'll now head over to the minor-league side, which was expected. The righty spent 2024 with Double-A Erie and could head there again in 2025, though a promotion to Triple-A Toledo could also be in order. Either way, Hernandez is unlikely to make much of an impact with the Tigers this year.

Flores (shoulder) was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Flores has been rehabbing a shoulder injury this spring and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in January to address some soreness. He was likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo anyways, but his lack of Grapefruit League playing time probably sealed the deal. Flores will provide organizational depth this season.

Steele was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to flu-like symptoms, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele had been set to make his third start of the spring Thursday, but he'll instead have to wait until his illness passes. While he recovers, Ben Brown will step in to start against the Royals.