MLB Player News

Houck has made the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Manager Alex Cora has settled on Houck and Garrett Whitlock for the final two spots in his rotation. Houck has been arguably the club's best starter this spring, having posted a 2.40 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 15 frames. The 27-year-old has always had trouble with left-handed batters, so he will likely have to show improvement in that regard if he wants to keep a rotation spot all season.

Whitlock secured a spot in the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation Friday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Whitlock and Tanner Houck will fill the final two spots, with Cooper Criswell joining the Triple-A Worcester rotation after getting optioned Friday. Whitlock earned the gig by collecting a 3.45 ERA and 16:2 K:BB over 15.2 Grapefruit League innings. The Red Sox surely will have to manage Whitlock's workload, given that he hasn't reached even 100 innings since 2018 because of injuries and bullpen work. He's fully stretched out right now, however, and makes for a viable late-round target for those who have fantasy drafts this weekend.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Means (elbow) should be ready for his season debut early in the first half of the season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

It's a timeline without much clarity, but Means has been throwing off a mound and he should be ready to face hitters soon. The lefty has said previously that he hopes to be back with the big club before the end of April.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Bradish (elbow) is expected to rejoin the rotation early in the first half of the season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

It's a vague timeline, which no doubt was purposeful on Elias' part. Everything has been trending in the right direction for Bradish since he was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow in mid-February, and he recently progressed to bullpen sessions. The right-hander still has a long road ahead, but the hope remains that he can avoid surgery.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw another live batting practice session at Minute Maid Park on Monday or Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander threw a 20-pitch live BP -- his first of the spring -- on Wednesday and came away encouraged by how things went. He will travel with the Astros back to Houston on Sunday when camp breaks before facing hitters again early next week and likely upping his pitch count. Verlander is set to open the season on the injured list but seemingly could be back before the end of April.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday that it's possible Lorenzen will be part of the team's Opening Day rotation, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The Rangers are still determining when to slot their new acquisition, but they haven't ruled out him being part of the first turn through the rotation. Young also added that Cody Bradford will make at least one start early on in the season even if Lorenzen is ready right away, likely during a stretch of 17 straight games without a day off in the middle of April.

The Rangers placed deGrom (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday.

It's a procedural transaction for deGrom as he continues his rehab from last June's Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old began a throwing program in mid-February but still has a long road ahead as he builds his arm strength back up.

Irvin will begin 2024 as the Orioles' fifth starter, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Experience wins out here, as Irvin's 7.30 ERA and 8:10 K:BB over 12.1 innings across four Grapefruit League starts probably didn't merit a rotation spot. His starting role is tenuous at best -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) will miss some time to begin the season, but but he has a strong beginning to his 2024 campaign, Irvin is likely to head to the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk once one of those pitchers is ready to debut.

Wells will be the Orioles' No. 3 starter to open 2024, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells likely has a bit more job security than Cole Irvin while John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) work their way back to full health. Wells pitched to a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings across three spring starts. He's not guaranteed to stay in the rotation all year given his success in the bullpen in previous seasons, however.

Carrasco has been informed that he has made the Guardians' Opening Day roster.

He has not yet been officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but Carrasco has been told he'll head north with the big club. The veteran right-hander could even open in the rotation while Gavin Williams (elbow) recovers. Carrasco has posted a 2.57 ERA and 9:6 K:BB over 14 innings this spring.