MLB Player News

Norris is expected to start the Tigers' third game of the season April 6 against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander will start the season opener, then Jordan Zimmermann is expected to pitch second. The Tigers are moving Michael Fulmer back to fourth to start the season because they eased him in this spring, so that pushes Norris up to No. 3. The lefty has the potential to be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter, and with a spot secured in the Tigers rotation, he's a high-upside play later in fantasy drafts.

Covey allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three in 3.2 scoreless innings against the Indians on Saturday, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports.

Saturday's start had been scheduled for days, but it took on added significance in light of the news that Carlos Rodon (bicpes) would likely begin the regular season on the disabled list. Covey, a Rule 5 pick, is one of three starters being considered as a temporary fill-in for Rodon. He entered Saturday's start having allowed seven runs on nine hits in his last 3.2 innings but was much more aggressive in attacking hitters and produced his best outing of the spring. While encouraging, it was just one start, and he threw only 44 pitches. If he's a serious candidate to fill in for Rodon, the White Sox will have Covey stay back in Arizona when the major league team breaks camp and have him make a start in a minor league game to build up his innings and pitch counts.

Harvey (elbow) is recovering soundly and has had no setbacks, thus keeping him on track for game action sometime in July, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports.

It wasn't long ago that Harvey was a mainstay in Top 100 lists everywhere, but his outlook has crumbled in just two short years. He missed all of 2015 trying to rest and rehab through an elbow injury before succumbing to Tommy John surgery after just five starts last season. Harvey still ranks as the Orioles' No. 7 prospect, and the club's farm director, Brian Graham, believes the right-hander could be on the scene sooner than most would expect. "He has the chance to be really good and really special," Graham said. "I know he has not pitched a lot of innings the last two years. He could be ready for the big leagues really quickly. That's how good he is." A full season of good health and solid results would put Harvey on the radar in deep leagues beginning in 2018.

Sedlock was told by the Orioles' coaching staff to take it slow this spring and work on developing one pitch at a time, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports.

Asking a first-round pick to take his time developing is no surprise, but the team made it a point to the No. 6 prospect that there's no need to rush. "It took a lot of getting used to. For me, with my competitive nature, I want to be at my best every single time I step on the mound and have my full arsenal," Sedlock said. "Once I was told what I needed to work on, I stayed within myself and realized that if things are going to go the right way this year, I'm going to have to work on one thing at a time." Sedlock said he spent the first couple weeks of camp just working on his fastballs while ignoring all off-speed pitches. The 6-foot-4 right-hander projects to be a mid-rotation starter in time, but the journey is just beginning for the 21-year-old. In dynasty formats, Sedlock is definitely worth putting on the watch list.

Zych (biceps) is scheduled for an inning of relief in Sunday's game against the Reds, his first Cactus League action of the spring, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Zych is making his way back from biceps surgery and he'll work in a game with the big club a day earlier than previously expected. He is battling Edwin Diaz and Steve Cishek (hip) for a prominent role in the late innings for manager Scott Servais. Even if he isn't used for saves he could be valuable for holds and his high strikeout rate.

Lee was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

He was having a strong spring in major league camp, notching a 2.77 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 13.0 innings. Despite being optioned to the minors Saturday, MASN's Roch Kubatko Lee is still in the running to be Baltimore's fifth starter early in the season.

Duffey gave up one unearned run over six innings with 10 strikeouts in a minor league game Saturday. He appears to be the leading candidate for Minnesota's fifth starter job as a result, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Duffey has a 3.86 ERA with a 6:1 K:BB in 11.2 innings in big league spring training games. He excelled in the minor league start Saturday, while Adalberto Mejia did not fare as well against minor leaguers. Although Duffey may have the lead in the competition, it's still not clear what the Twins will decide to do as Jose Berrios could also figure into the mix. However, Berrios may need time in Triple-A after failing to pitch enough innings while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Fulmer will start the Tigers' fourth game of the season and home opener April 7 against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

This was already hinted at, and now Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has confirmed Fulmer's first start. Ausmus said he wanted to push the young righty back in the rotation because the team "started him slower" this spring. Fulmer also missed some time due to a sprained ankle.

Smith (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday that manager John Farrell characterized as "surprisingly good," Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Smith showed good action and velocity, but Farrell tempered his excitement, noting there can be peaks and valleys for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery. The timeline for his return hasn't changed; Smith is expected to come back in June.

Pomeranz overcame some early trouble and finished strong in Friday's start against the Blue Jays, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports. The left-hander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in his first appearance since leaving a start early due to tightness in his triceps.

All of the damage against Pomeranz came in the first two innings, but his mechanics clicked while warming up to start the third. After realizing he was leaking out early with his curveball, Pomeranz stayed back on his left foot and, voila, the outing dramatically shifted. He retired six of the next seven hitters. He'll focus on those final two frames Friday and build on that next Wednesday when he's scheduled to pitch five innings while piggybacking on Rick Porcello's start. Manager John Farrell is hopeful Friday's performance represents a breakthrough, improving Pomeranz's chances of breaking camp on the active roster. His first regular-season start would be April 8 or April 9 in Detroit.