MLB Player News

Priester threw his slider at an average of 88.7 mph in his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Priester reached the majors in 2023, but he struggled to a 7.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 50 innings in Pittsburgh. One notable problem was a dip in velocity, something he aimed to change by reworking his delivery this offseason. The early returns were positive, as his slider velocity ticked up 3.2 mph compared to the 2023 campaign. The movement on the pitch also changed and now resembles more of a cutter than a slider. Priester is competing for a back-end rotation spot this spring and turned in two perfect innings with one strikeout Wednesday against the Tigers.

Blackburn (1-0) was credited with the victory in the Athletics' Cactus League win over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run and recording three strikeouts over two innings.

Outside of the one mistake pitch that led to a J.D. Davis solo home run, Blackburn was highly effective while placing 22 of his 33 offerings in the strike zone, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The right-hander posted just a 4-7 record across 21 appearances (20 starts) last season, but that underwhelming mark was accompanied by a serviceable 4.43 ERA. Blackburn, who avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $3.45 million deal this winter, is expected to helm Oakland's starting rotation.

Yamamoto tossed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Texas on Wednesday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Yamamoto's first game action in a Dodgers uniform began with a strikeout of Marcus Semien, and the only hit he allowed -- a first-inning single by Evan Carter -- was wiped out by a double play on the following pitch. The right-handed hurler's success in Japan was tied to his ability to strike batters out while limiting homers and walks, and that skill set was evident Wednesday, as Yamamoto punched out half of the six batters he faced while throwing 16 of 19 pitches for strikes. There's already plenty of hype around Yamamoto due to his dominance overseas and the lucrative 12-year deal he received from Los Angeles in December, and his Cactus League debut should provide more fodder for expectations that are already sky high.

Gilbert did not factor into the decision in the Mariners' Cactus League loss to the Royals on Wednesday, firing two scoreless innings during which he issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts.

The talented right-hander put together a nearly perfect performance as he begins a process of trying to be more creative with his pitch mix in deeper counts and attacking right-handed hitters, who have a .741 OPS against him thus far in his career. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Gilbert feels the most comfortable he has to date entering a season, partly due to his experience and the addition of a splitter that he is hoping will make him less predictable. "I have more options this year," Gilbert said. "The main thing is just not getting yourself boxed in, especially in this league. I have to really find a way to get myself out if I get myself in a jam with guys on and I'm behind in the count, being able to get out of that. And I think I have the weapons to do that now."

Skubal tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out two.

Skubal cruised in his first tune-up start of the spring, as he logged 29 pitches and didn't allow a hit. The talented lefty underwent flexor tendon surgery in August of 2022, which delayed his debut last year by a few months. That means the team will likely build him up slowly in camp with the goal of having him available for a larger regular-season workload. Skubal's career high in innings is 149.1, which he recorded back in 2021.

Wicks logged three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He allowed four hits and struck out two.

Through two spring appearances, Wicks has now allowed one run across 4.2 innings while striking out three. The lefty is competing for the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' rotation and appears to be off to a good start. His fantasy value would of course go up if he secures a starting role versus a bullpen job or an assignment to Triple-A Iowa. Wicks has some upside and could be poised to take a step forward in his second MLB season.

Ashcraft (toe) will start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell said Wednesday that Ashcraft will make his spring debut "within the next week," and it will end up coming just a day later. The right-hander has been brought along slowly in camp as he returns from September toe surgery, but it shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day given how much time he has to ramp up his workload.

The Rockies placed Senzatela (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Senzatela is expected to miss the entire 2024 season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL was an inevitability. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Sam Hilliard, whom the Rockies claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Wednesday.

Mize gave up two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings Tuesday in the Tigers' 6-4 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League play.

Mize tossed 35 pitches (17 strikes) in his spring debut, which also marked his first official MLB game in 22 months following a prolonged recovery from Tommy John and back surgeries. The 26-year-old's fastball topped out at 97.3 miles per hour and averaged 95.8 mph, a couple ticks up from his average over his two starts during the 2022 regular season. While the velocity readings are encouraging for Mize, sharpening his command and control will be the greater concerns for him as the spring unfolds. Mize isn't assured a spot in Detroit's Opening Day rotation, and even if he does secure a starting gig, he could be piggybacked by another pitcher early on during the season as the Tigers look to manage his innings in 2024.

Paxton will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Reds, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Paxton had the guaranteed money on his contract lowered when an unspecified issue arose during his physical. However, he hasn't been under any restrictions this spring and is fully expected to be part of the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation.