MLB News Roundup: New York Yankees’ Wandy Peralta strikes out hitter in 20 seconds, Miguel Rojas withdraws from team Venezuela, and more - March 3 2023

The world of MLB News keeps giving us more to talk about as Spring Training progresses and the 2023 season approaches. Prospects are making headlines as their performances exceed expectations, and the new rules are changing the game faster than people thought. Here are some of the biggest stories from yesterday.

MLB News: New York Yankees top prospect Anthony Vople connects first spring training home run.

Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees’ No. 1 prospect, hit his first Grapefruit League homer against the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday.

Volpe hit 21 homers in 132 games for Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, batting a combined .249/.342/.460. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he sees more power to come from the 21-year-old infielder. Lou Trivino, the pitcher who started Thursday’s game, said Volpe is a great talent and a good clubhouse kid.

MLB News: Anthony Volpe during New York Yankees photo day

Volpe finished the game with two hits in three at-bats, a walk and a strikeout. He is vying for playing time with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and No. 3 prospect Oswald Peraza and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A.

Volpe’s strong showing in Spring Training has put him in the conversation for the major league roster. During Spring Training games, starting players who exit the game early are free to leave the ballpark, but Volpe remained in the dugout to cheer on his teammates.

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MLB News: Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas withdraws from Team Venezuela

MLB News: Miguel Rojas withdraws from WBC

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas has decided to withdraw from playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and stay in camp with the Dodgers.

Rojas was initially scheduled to join Team Venezuela on Sunday, but Gavin Lux's season-ending injury changed his plans. Rojas met with the Dodgers' management and decided it was best for him to stay with the team to prepare for the upcoming season, as he needs to get consistent at-bats after undergoing surgeries on his hand and wrist during the offseason.

Rojas was expected to be a backup shortstop in the WBC behind Andrés Giménez, and his uncertain role, combined with Lux’s injury, led to his decision to stay in camp with the Dodgers.

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MLB News: Wandy Peralta strikes out hitter in just 20 seconds

MLB News: Yankees’ Wandy Peralta strikes out hitter in 20 seconds.

New York Yankees reliever Wandy Peralta made his 2023 spring training debut and showed that he doesn't need much to adjust to MLB's new pitch clock. Peralta threw three strikes in about 20 seconds to end the inning against Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano in the bottom of the second.

The new rule gives pitchers 15 seconds to throw a pitch (20 seconds with men on base), or a ball will be called. The changes were tested in the minor leagues, where MLB said games were shortened by an average of 26 minutes. The average game this spring has taken two hours and 39 minutes, 22 minutes shorter than last year.

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MLB News: Christian Arroyo hits grand slam in two-homer game

MLB News: Christian Arroyo hits two-homer game.

Christian Arroyo, the Boston Red Sox’s utility infielder, hit a solo home run and a grand slam in Thursday’s game against the Phillies. Arroyo’s grand slam soared over the replica Monster and out of JetBlue Park. The right-handed hitter’s opposite-field shot surprised many, including Arroyo himself, who had never hit one roughly 380 feet to right field.

Arroyo is expected to start at second base while Kiké Hernández fills in at shortstop following Trevor Story’s internal bracing procedure on his right elbow in January. Arroyo is confident in his abilities but is not getting ahead of himself, recognizing that failure is common in baseball.