MLB Player News

Baz's (elbow) throwing program will be delayed by about a week after he tweaked his oblique while picking up a weight, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was close to being cleared to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring, but that will now be pushed back a bit. The young right-hander is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery but will begin the season in extended spring training as the Rays build him up slowly. It's unclear as to when Baz will be ready to make his season debut.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander has not encountered any setbacks and continues to progress well as he works his way back from an offseason right shoulder issue. However, the 41-year-old simply needs more time. Verlander has been throwing bullpen sessions but has not yet been cleared for live batting practice. It's not clear whether he will be able to get into any Grapefruit League games before the exhibition schedule wraps up. If Verlander is placed on the IL Opening Day, he would first be eligible to return April 11, although it would appear far from a given that he's ready at that time.

Bradish (elbow) played catch from 140 feet Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish noted afterward that his right elbow still feels good and also added that 140 feet is about the maximum distance from which he usually plays catch. That could indicate he'll be cleared to throw from a mound soon, although it has not yet been revealed when that will happen. Bradish is working his way back from a partial UCL tear in his pitching elbow and will begin the season on the injured list, but he remains hopeful of avoiding surgery.

Detmers pitched 1.2 innings in a Cactus League start against San Diego on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Spring training is generally a time to shake off rust, so Detmers' struggles shouldn't be read into too deeply. Still, it wasn't a promising performance from a hurler who is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Detmers' 9.3 percent walk rate last season was in the 35th percentile leaguewide, and improving upon that number could be key in allowing him to reach the potential the Angels assessed when selecting him 10th overall in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. His next opportunity to pitch this spring will likely come Wednesday.

Lopez gave up two runs with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his second spring outing to raise his Grapefruit League ERA to 7.20. However, Lopez says he's been experimenting with different pitches rather than focusing on results, including throwing a rare 0-2 sinker to a lefty (Matt Olson), the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "It didn't work out. He hit it like 600 feet to center," Lopez said.

Lopez has already been named Minnesota's Opening Day starter March 28 against Kansas City, so he has no worries about his performance this spring. He's healthy and working on different pitches and looks sharp early in the spring. The right-hander's first season in Minnesota was the best of his career, with Lopez collecting a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234:48 K:BB over 194 innings.

Medina left Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds due to a right knee sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina allowed one run on no hits and one walk over 1.1 innings while striking out three before leaving the game. The status for his next start is up in the air while the team monitors how he recovers over the next few days. The right-hander entered spring training gunning for a spot in the Athletics' rotation. Medina had a 3-10 record over 17 starts with a 5.42 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 106:57 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2023, his first season in the majors.

Wacha has allowed one run on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over three innings across his first two Cactus League starts.

Wacha's doing just fine in spring training. The veteran right-hander will need to stay healthy to be an effective starter, but he's logged 20-plus starts in each of the last three seasons while keeping his ERA under 3.50 in the last two years. The Royals' pitching staff was a weakness in 2023, and signing Wacha to a two-year deal addressed that concern. He'll likely continue to offer solid control and an ability to keep the ball in the yard, but he may regress in the surface stats in his age-32 season.

Suarez tossed two scoreless frames Monday versus the Rangers in his Cactus League debut after overcoming a dead arm phase, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Suarez has been behind other starters in Angels' camp while battling through dead arm issues, but it looks like he's over the hump. The left-hander currently appears on the outside looking in for a spot in the Halos' rotation, but he's out of options, so he could settle into a long relief role initially.

Bibee gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.2 innings versus the Giants on Sunday.

Bibee's spring debut was forgettable, though the strikeouts were a bright spot. The right-hander ended last season on the 60-day injured list due to right hip inflammation and started slowly in spring training. Unless he has a truly awful Cactus League slate, Bibee figures to open the season in the Guardians' rotation.

Burnes has allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in Grapefruit League play.

On the bright side, Burnes has struck out five batters. Spring struggles aren't really a concern for a veteran like Burnes, who projects to be the ace of a potentially very strong Baltimore rotation this season. Even in a down year in 2023, the right-hander posted a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 200:66 K:BB over 193.2 innings with the Brewers.