MLB Player News

Gil will be stretched out to start this spring, but the Yankees are open to the possibility of shifting him to a relief role, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

The Yankees remain high on Gil's potential as a starting pitcher, but they could have more of an immediate need in the bullpen. Clayton Beeter is also a possibility to shift to relief. Gil was limited to just two rehab starts in 2023 after coming back from Tommy John surgery but has arrived to spring training without restrictions.

Rodon sat in the mid-90s and touched 97 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Martino notes that Rodon was sitting in the 90-to-92 mph range during his early live batting practice sessions last year and, of course, then went on to have an injury-shortened, disappointing season. Rodon reported to camp this spring early and in better shape, and there is growing internal optimism about the left-hander's chances of bouncing back in 2024, per Martino.

Cortes (shoulder) said Thursday that he's already thrown four live batting practice sessions this spring, YES Network reports.

A left rotator cuff strain limited Cortes to just 12 starts last season, with the last one coming in early August. He's been throwing for most of the offseason, though, and it doesn't appear he'll face any restrictions during spring training. A healthy Cortes and Carlos Rodon would go a long way in stabilizing the Yankees' rotation.

Wentz will focus on competing for a bullpen job with the Tigers this spring, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nearly all of Wentz's pro experience has been as a starting pitcher. However, he's out of options and isn't viewed as a viable rotation option right now, so the Tigers want to evaluate him solely as a reliever. Wentz holds a career 5.99 ERA and 125:60 K:BB over 138.1 frames covering 32 appearances (26 starts).

Manoah threw off a mound Thursday and appears to have lost significant weight during the offseason, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was downright awful for most of 2023 and ended the season dealing with shoulder issues that required injections to reduce soreness and inflammation. Manoah seems to have taken his offseason program seriously though, and he worked off a mound for the first time this spring without any apparent issues. A bounce-back performance from the 2019 first-round pick is key for the Blue Jays this year.

Irvin could be needed in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's also possible the O's could seek help from outside the organization, but as things currently stand it seems likely that they'll need Irvin to make some starts. The left-hander had an uneven first season in Baltimore, finishing with a 4.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB over 77.1 frames.

Wells could open the season in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The tall right-hander was seemingly squeezed out of the rotation following the team's trade for Corbin Burnes, but he's now firmly back in the mix with Bradish pegged for the injured list and Means likely to join him. Wells finished with a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB over 118.2 innings in 2023 but had a 7.07 ERA in just 14 frames after the All-Star break.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means (elbow) is a month behind schedule, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Means suffered a flare-up with his surgically-repaired left elbow last October. While previous indications had been that the southpaw was past the issue, clearly the team still plans to proceed cautiously with him in spring training. Elias was not ready to commit to a stint on the injured list for Means, but it's difficult to see him avoiding one if he's a month behind other Orioles starters.

Bradish will open the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bradish has been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and will begin a throwing program Friday. The hope is that the right-hander will be able to recover with rest and rehab, but eventual Tommy John surgery is always the fear when a UCL sprain is involved. Bradish had a breakout 2023 campaign with the Orioles, collecting a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts.

Martin (elbow) will begin throwing bullpen sessions Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last May and his rehab has come along without any hiccups to this point. A clearer timetable for when Martin could rejoin the White Sox probably won't be available for a while, but it figures to be at least August.