MLB Player News

Tate (elbow) said he will throw 20 pitches off a full mound Tuesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate is set to take the next step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain after he resumed throwing off a half mound last week. The 28-year-old noted that he'll throw only fastballs in Tuesday's workout, but if all goes well, he could begin to incorporate breaking pitches in his throwing sessions in the near future. Tate is set to begin the season on the injured list and could be sidelined through April.

The Athletics optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Harris will head back to the Pacific Coast League for further refinement after the 26-year-old struggled in his first exposure to the level late in the 2022 season. The lefty earned the promotion to Triple-A after accruing a 1.67 ERA while striking out 48 over 32.1 innings at Double-A Midland, but he was lit up to the tune of a 6.35 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across his eight starts with Las Vegas.

Oller has generated a 1.86 ERA and 10:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings in three Cactus League appearances (two starts).

Oller has pitched to some contact -- he's allowed eight hits, including a solo home run -- but his most recent appearance saw him shut out the Dodgers on two hits over four innings while racking up seven strikeouts. The right-hander was frequently hit hard as a 27-year-old rookie last season, posting a 2-8 record, 6.30 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 74.1 innings over 19 appearances (14 starts). However, with the starting rotation seemingly set, Oller appears ticketed for a long-relief role if he does open the season with the big-league club.

Faucher (oblique) is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Faucher has been sidelined since late February but has been throwing live batting practice for the last seven days. He'll be set for his first game action against the Twins after posting a 5.48 ERA and 1.69 WHIP across 21.1 innings in 2022.

Patino has thrown 5.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and three walks in three appearances in the Grapefruit League.

Patino is in consideration for a rotation spot with Tyler Glasnow (oblique) sidelined, and he's pitched well early on. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday, an outing highlighted by strikeouts of Francisco Alvarez, Tommy Pham and Danny Mendick. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that manager Kevin Cash voiced concern over Patino consistently falling behind in the count, though he also noted that Patino made several strong pitches to work out of trouble. Josh Fleming and Yonny Chirinos are also in consideration for the fifth starter role.

Fleming is in contention for the fifth spot in the Rays' starting rotation while Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is sidelined, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming struggled in his spring training debut, surrendering six earned runs on six hits across only one inning. Since then, he hasn't allowed an earned run across six innings, maintaining a 3:0 K:BB in that span. Fleming also stretched out to three frames in his last outing, so he should be able to handle a normal starter's workload by the time the regular season begins. Luis Patino and Yonny Chirinos are also in consideration for the rotation while Glasnow remains sidelined.

Mata was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora said in February that Mata could make his MLB debut this season, though it's still not a surprise the right-hander won't be on the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old finished the 2022 campaign with Worcester after he was promoted in August, and he could see the majors before too long if he can replicate the 3.47 ERA he posted at Triple-A last season.

The Mariners optioned Then to Double-A Arkansas on Sunday.

Then is heading into his third season as a member of the Mariners' 40-man roster, but he doesn't appear especially close to making his MLB debut. The 23-year-old right-hander covered just 12 frames in the minors between Arkansas and the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate in 2022, making one-inning appearances in each of those outings.

The Mariners reassigned McCaughan to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

After making two appearances (one start) for Seattle in 2021, McCaughan spent the entire 2022 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma, where he logged a 4.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 141 batters over 154.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander is expected to continue serving as organizational starting pitching depth at Tacoma in 2023, and his lack of a 40-man roster spot likely won't make him the Mariners' first choice if a spot starter is needed at the big-league level.

Gillaspie has yet to allow an earned run over five innings across five Grapefruit League games.

The 25-year-old has added a 7:2 K:BB and allowed just two hits so far. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com isn't projecting Gillaspie for the Opening Day bullpen as of Sunday, but the right-hander can't pitch much better than he has so far in the spring. The Orioles' crowded rotation competition could lead to a couple of potential starters initially working out of the bullpen, which could lead to Gillaspie beginning the year at Triple-A Norfolk despite his strong spring. He was solid in the majors last year, logging a 3.12 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 17.1 innings, but his 5.09 ERA and 1.37 WHIP at Triple-A suggest he could benefit from a bit more time in the minors.