MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer went two innings in his spring debut Wednesday, giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk in his team's 8-5 loss to the Indians.

Maurer has gotten a late start to his exhibition season due to a stiff back. He's in competition for a spot in the team's starting rotation.

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances allowed one walk while striking out two in 1 2/3 scoreless innings in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Betances, a former starter who was converted into a reliever by the organization, has an option left but it trying to win a spot in the team's opening-day bullpen.

"I knew coming in that there were opportunities, that there were spots available," Betances told MLB.com. "I knew coming in that I had to come in strong and have a good Spring Training. I'm just going to try to keep doing whatever I have to do every time out."

Betances went 6-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 108:42 K:BB ratio in 84 innings with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre last season.

Mariners reliever Fernando Rodney will make his spring debut Wednesday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Rodney signed with the club in February, but has yet to pitch in a spring game. Rodney posted a 3.38 ERA in 66 2/3 innings last year. He'll take on the White Sox in his debut.

Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes has been shut down with shoulder soreness, according to the Boston Herald.

Barnes will be shut down for a few days, but the injury isn't thought to be serious. The shoulder is structurally sound, and the club is just trying to be cautious. 

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer is scheduled to make his spring debut Wednesday after completing Sunday's batting-practice session with no issues, MLB.com reports.

Maurer has been out for about a week while dealing with a stiff back. He'll resume competing for a spot in the back of the team's rotation.

Making his spring debut Monday, Rays pitcher Matt Moore allowed two hits and one walk in 1 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out two in his team's 6-1 win over the Phillies.

Moore delivered a pristine 17-4 record last season as well as a 3.29 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings, but he also led the league with 17 wild pitches while doling out 76 free passes and posting a 1.30 WHIP. He'll seek better control in 2014.

Blue Jays pitcher Esmil Rogers got his first start of the spring on Sunday against the Yankees.

Rogers surrendered a solo home run to Jose Bautista in the opening frame for his only blemish of the day. He allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out one over two innings of work. He has allowed three runs over three innings this spring.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago pitched less than three innings on Sunday against the A's, but was pegged with the loss in his first Cactus League league outing.

Santiago allowed a run to score on a fielder's choice in the opening frame before settling down. He surrendered one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over 2 2/3 innings of work in a 3-2 loss.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer is getting closer to game action, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Maurer is scheduled to toss live batting practice Sunday. He'll be in the mix for the rotation once he's able to return to action. Maurer has been dealing with a back issue during camp. He posted a 6.30 ERA in 90 innings last season.

Athletics starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz is considered an unlikely rotation candidate, and will have to impress in the spring to have a chance. He looked solid in his first exhibition start Saturday against the Rangers.

Pomeranz pitched just one inning in relief, despite throwing just nine pitches, eight for strikes. He hit one batter with a pitch and allowed one hit, before stranding both runners with an inning-ending strikeout, one of two in the inning.

Pomeranz has failed to live up to his lofty former top prospect status in parts of three seasons with the Rockies. He finished 2013 with a 6.23 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of work.