MLB Player News

Bello allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Pirates.

Bello hit the 91-pitch mark and finished his spring with a pair of strong outings following a shaky start. His spring ERA was at 6.75 after three starts, but Bello allowed two runs while striking out 12 over his final 10.1 innings. Next up for the 24-year-old righty is an Opening Day start, which will take place Thursday on the road in Seattle.

Eovaldi allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three over four scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.

Eovaldi wrapped up spring with Saturday's effort and now turns his focus to Thursday's Opening Day start at home against the Cubs. He recorded a 2.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and six walks over 13.2 spring innings (four starts).

Taijuan Walker's shoulder injury could push Turnbull into the Phillies' rotation to begin the season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.comreports.

Turnbull joined Philadelphia on a one-year, $2 million contract in February and was set to begin the season as a long reliever or at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but Walker experienced shoulder discomfort Saturday and may be headed to the injured list. Turnbull returned from Tommy John surgery last season and struggled to a 7.26 ERA in seven starts for Detroit, but he pitched well in 2021 prior to the elbow injury with a 2.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 50 innings.

Gallen allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Guardians.

Gallen finished off spring training with Saturday's start and is ready to take the ball Opening Day, Thursday, at home against the Rockies. The right-hander posted a 5.54 ERA with nine strikeouts and seven walks over four Cactus League starts. Gallen is coming off a career-high 243.2 innings (including postseason) in 2023, and the Diamondbacks made sure to manage his spring workload. In addition to the increase in innings last season, Gallen experienced jumps in average exit velocity (91.5 mph, third percentile) and hard-hit percentage (46.2, fifth).

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said last week that Cole (elbow) is a candidate for the 60-day injured list if the team needs to clear space on the 40-man roster, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

This news is far from surprising given that Cole isn't expected to be able to start throwing until at least mid-April and would presumably need considerable time to build back up even if he doesn't encounter any setbacks along the way. The right-hander was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his right elbow in mid-March and was originally estimated to be sidelined for 1-to-2 months, though Cashman's comments suggest the ace hurler is unlikely to make it back near the early end of that timeframe. It's logical to expect New York to avoid rushing Cole back into action considering the investment it made in him when it signed the former Astro to a nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 campaign.

Walker reported shoulder discomfort while getting loose for a bullpen session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies sent Walker in for an MRI upon learning of his discomfort, and more information should be available Sunday after results come back. Should Walker have to begin the season on the injured list, Spencer Turnbull would claim the open spot in Philadelphia's rotation.

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Sauer he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Saturday.

Sauer will be a member of the Royals' bullpen to begin the season. As a Rule 5 pick, Sauer has a fair amount of job security, though he's also earned the spot with a 2.53 ERA over 10.2 innings across eight Cactus League appearances. Sauer has experience as a starter in the minors while in the Yankees organization, so he should be able to provide a multi-inning option out of the bullpen with the Royals.

Anderson signed a major-league contract with the Red Sox on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Anderson was let go by the Pirates earlier Saturday, and it didn't take long for the 36-year-old righty to latch on with another organization. The Red Sox will be without Liam Hendriks (elbow) and Chris Murphy (elbow), and Cotillo notes that adding Anderson brings experience as a multi-inning reliever to go alongside Josh Winckowski.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Steele (knee) is still scheduled to start for the Cubs on Opening Day against Texas, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele's status for the first game of the season had been in question after he took a hard comebacker off his left knee Friday against San Francisco. However, he only suffered a bruise as a result of the incident, and his knee doesn't seem to be bothering him enough to keep him off the mound. Steele owns a 4.91 ERA through 11 spring innings and will be making the first Opening Day start of his career Thursday.

Gil tossed four innings in a Grapefruit League game against the Mets on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Gil served up a two-run homer to Mark Vientos in the second inning but was otherwise strong over his four frames. The right-hander has been mentioned as a candidate to step into the Yankees' Opening Day rotation in the wake of Gerrit Cole's extended absence due to an elbow injury, and Gil has made a compelling case for himself with a 2.87 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 15.2 spring innings. Per Erik Boland of Newsday, rival scouts have raved about Gil looking "electric" over the past few weeks, and he's "very much in the mix" to break camp with the big club. However, Will Warren and Clayton Beeter -- who are also in contention for the vacated rotation spot -- have also looked good this spring, and veteran Luke Weaver is also a candidate for the role, so Gil could still feasibly begin the campaign in the minors.