MLB Player News

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.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Gipson-Long (groin) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in any spring games while recovering from the groin strain he suffered early in camp, so it's not a big surprise he won't be available to start the season. Gipson-Long made his big-league debut down the stretch last year and had a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB in four starts (20 innings), but he may be pitching for Triple-A Toledo once healthy with Casey Mize and Reese Olson winning the final two spots in Detroit's rotation. Gipson-Long recently progressed to throwing live batting practice, so he could soon move on to building up his workload.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Mize will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 as he spent last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he pitched well enough during spring training with a 2.35 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 15.1 innings, though he did walk nine batters. Mize lines up to make his first start of the season Apr. 1 or 2 against the Mets with Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty scheduled for the opening series versus the White Sox.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Olson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson posted a 4.12 ERA over 107 innings as a rookie last season and cemented his rotation spot during spring training with a 3.68 ERA and 14:4 K:BB in 14.2 frames. Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty are set to start in the three-game, season-opening series against the White Sox, lining up Olson to pitch April 1 or 2 versus the Mets.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

He was in a hard-fought battle for one of the final two spots in the Tigers' rotation, but the club has opted to go with Casey Mize and Reese Olson. Manning should still ultimately spend a good chunk of the season in Detroit's rotation, but for now he'll head to Toledo to start every fifth day.

Lorenzen said in an interview with Foul Territory on Friday that he will be part of the Rangers' rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Lorenzen agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with Texas earlier this week, shortly after getting up to 70 pitches in a throwing session Monday. It's not clear when he might be ready to make his first start for the Rangers, but the intention it to put him in the rotation. That means Cody Bradford -- who had been named the fifth starter prior to the Lorenzen signing -- will either move to the bullpen or to the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.

Cortes tossed four innings against Atlanta in a Grapefruit League game Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

With Gerrit Cole (elbow) set to miss extended time at the start of the campaign, Yankees manager Aaron Boone named Cortes the team's Opening Day starter last week. The left-handed hurler got the ball for what's expected to be his final spring outing Thursday, and he worked up to 75 pitches. Cortes gave up just one run through four frames, but Atlanta tagged him for three straight hits -- a homer, a triple and a single, in that order -- resulting in two runs before he was pulled without retiring a batter in the fifth. If this was in fact Cortes' final appearance before next Thursday's Opening Day outing, he'll finish spring play with an 8.10 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 10 innings.

Blackburn fired six no-hit innings against the Cubs in a Cactus League win Wednesday, allowing one walk and recording three strikeouts.

The right-hander was in prime form, with Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reporting Blackburn needed only 63 pitches to get through his six frames while facing the minimum number of hitters. Additionally, 15 of Blackburn's outs were recorded on four pitches or less, and he lowered his spring ERA to 2.84 with the nearly pristine outing.