MLB Player News

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.

Bielak could be in consideration for a rotation spot to begin the regular season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros were hit with injuries to both Justin Verlander (shoulder) and J.P. France (shoulder) to start spring training. Depending on their availability to begin the regular season, Houston could immediately be reliant upon depth in their pitching staff. Bielak would likely be at the top of the list, as he made 13 major-league starts last season and is also out of minor-league options.

Hancock (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday at Mariners camp.

After receiving his first big-league call-up in early August, Hancock made just three starts for the Mariners before suffering a Grade 1 shoulder strain, which ended his season. Fortunately for the 24-year-old, he avoided any structural damage and didn't require offseason surgery, so he looks like he'll begin spring training at full health. Hancock will be given a chance to compete for a spot in Seattle's Opening Day rotation, but with five other healthy, more established pitchers in front of him in Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, it may take an injury in order for Hancock to avoid an assignment to Triple-A Tacoma once camp comes to a close.

Kopech (knee) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to have any limitations on the White Sox's first day of spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kopech finished the 2023 season on the injured list while recovering from a minor surgery he underwent in September to remove a cyst from his right knee, but after an estimated 6-to-8-week recovery period, the right-hander had a more normal offseason than he's experienced in recent years, as general manager Chris Getz relayed to Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com earlier this week. Despite struggling to a 5.43 ERA and 1.59 WHIP while striking out 134 batters over a career-high 129.1 innings in 2023, Kopech looks secure in the White Sox rotation heading into Opening Day due mostly to the team's lack of attractive alternatives.