MLB Player News

Nelson allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rangers.

Nelson may have sewn up the fifth starter job with this effort. The three walks were the most he's allowed in five Cactus League starts, but he managed to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. He was pulled from the game in the fourth inning only to come back and start the fifth, giving him five up-and-downs and a pitch count of 78, per Michael McDermott of SI.com. Both Nelson and Tommy Henry will get one more spring start before a decision is made as to which one will fill out the rotation.

DeSclafani (elbow) threw 1.2 innings in a Triple-A spring training game Saturday with three strikeouts and two walks, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani hasn't appeared in a major-league spring training game, but that could come in the next week. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but it's not certain he'll be ready for Opening Day despite this progress. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has thrown 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.

Grove is expected to open the season in a multi-inning relief role for the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gavin Stone beat out Grove for the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation. The team is expected to use a six-man rotation, or at least a variation of one, and Grove figures to be in the mix there, perhaps in a bulk relief role. The Dodgers could just mix-and-match in the sixth spot until Walker Buehler (elbow) and/or Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) are ready.

Stone is likely to open the season as the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stone earned the rotation spot with an impressive Cactus League performance which saw him yield just one run with a 9:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings of work. The 25-year-old was knocked around last season with the Dodgers, posting a 9.00 ERA and 22:13 K:BB across 31 frames. However, Stone is a former top prospect who collected a 32.6 percent strikeout rate in the minors. He should be better equipped for success in the big leagues in 2024 and makes for a fine late-round fantasy option.

Cobb (hip) struck out five over two hitless innings in a minor-league game Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cobb threw 18 of his 27 pitches for strikes in what was his first game appearance since he had left hip surgery last October. The veteran right-hander's next outing figures to come during Cactus League play next week. A timetable for Cobb rejoining the Giants' rotation isn't clear yet, but a return before the end of April is looking distinctly possible.

Keller underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery over the offseason, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Keller dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms on a couple occasions last season while with the Royals and evidently at some point opted for surgery. He inked a minor-league deal with the White Sox last week and "threw the ball really well" during a recent live batting practice session, per manager Pedro Grifol. Keller is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte but could become an option for Chicago's rotation before long.

Nastrini has allowed just one run over seven innings this spring as he attempts to win a spot in the White Sox' rotation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Nastrini has permitted just two hits and two walks over those seven frames, recording nine strikeouts along the way. Acquired from the Dodgers at last year's trade deadline, Nastrini is not on the 40-man roster, but the White Sox have at least one rotation spot up for grabs and the 24-year-old is in the running. He'll get another start Sunday versus the Athletics as he continues to state his case.

Perez reported soreness in his elbow Thursday following his appearance in Wednesday's spring game against Washington, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Perez had to leave his appearance Wednesday after experiencing discomfort with the broken nail on his right middle finger. Now, Perez's elbow issue poses another threat to potentially delaying his start to the regular season. Perez will undergo further imaging and testing over the next few days to determine the severity of his injury, but it appears increasingly likely that Perez will miss the beginning of the regular season.

Ynoa (elbow) is available to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Pirates in relief, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ynoa missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2022. He started throwing bullpen sessions in mid-February, but was downgraded to long tosses while dealing with right elbow soreness.

Urquidy (elbow) will fly to Houston on Saturday to see the Astros' team doctors, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy removed himself from his appearance in a minor-league game Saturday due to discomfort in his right elbow. The pain hadn't disappeared when he arrived at the Astros' complex Saturday, so he will head back to Houston in order to get checked out. Should Urquidy end up having to miss time to begin the season, the Astros may further intensify their push to sign Blake Snell.