MLB Player News

Sears is lined up to start for the Athletics on Tuesday against the Guardians, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sears appears to have won the No. 5 spot in Oakland's season-opening starting rotation, as Adam Oller and Adrian Martinez are listed as available relievers in Thursday night's Opening Day game versus the Angels. Sears, 27, posted a 4.69 ERA and 36:18 K:BB in 48 innings last year with the A's after being acquired from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade.

Cole (1-0) earned the win and racked up 11 strikeouts while allowing three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in the Yankees' season-opening win Thursday against the Giants.

In doing so, Cole became the first pitcher in Yankees history to record 10-plus punchouts in an Opening Day outing. He scattered three singles and two walks while thoroughly dominating the visiting Giants throughout the afternoon. Cole threw 95 pitches, 56 of which went for strikes. Up next for the ace right-hander is likely another home start in the Bronx on Wednesday, this time against the Phillies.

Brown (back) will start for the Astros on Monday against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown came down with some lower-back tightness toward the end of spring training, but he got through a simulated outing Wednesday without issue and is ready to take his place in Houston's season-opening rotation. The 24-year-old posted a 0.89 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 20.1 frames during his first taste of the big leagues last year, and he skyrocketed up fantasy draft boards all March.

The Red Sox placed Bello (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he'll open the season on the shelf while he recovers from right forearm inflammation, Bello doesn't look as though he'll be in store for an extended absence. He tossed three innings in a minor-league spring game for Double-A Portland last Friday and should be ready to head out on a rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league regular season begins this weekend. Like Bello, fellow starting pitchers Garrett Whitlock (hip) and James Paxton (hamstring) are opening the season on the IL and are tracking toward similarly brief stays, so Bello may not be in line for a spot in the big-league rotation once he's formally activated.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

While he works his way back to full health following the right hip surgery he underwent last September, Whitlock will open the season on the shelf and miss his first turn through the rotation. Whitlock hasn't hit any snags in his recovery and most recently through a four-inning, 63-pitch outing in a minor-league game at spring training, so he already appears to be on his way to getting fully stretched out. He'll likely make a minor-league rehab start before coming off the IL when he's first eligible April 11 or shortly thereafter.

McCullers (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Astros GM Dana Brown said earlier this week he wasn't sure if McCullers would begin the season on the 60-day IL, but the club is apparently content to put him on the 15-day IL for now. The right-hander is dealing with a low-grade forearm strain and isn't expected to be ready for game action until May, at the earliest.

Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Thursday with a right middle fingernail avulsion.

Blackburn returned to throwing off a mound a few days ago and might not miss much time. With the right-hander sidelined, the A's are rolling with youngster Kyle Muller on Opening Day.

The Red Sox placed Paxton (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Paxton has been pain-free for a while but will get a late start to the season. The veteran left-hander is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday and is on track for a mid-April return.

McKenzie (arm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

The right-hander was shut down from throwing for two weeks after being diagnosed with a teres major muscle strain Monday, so his move to the injured list was inevitable. McKenzie is without a clear timeline for his return beyond the initial shutdown period, but he shouldn't be expected back until at least mid-May given the time required to build his arm back up.

Lorenzen (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed last week that Lorenzen would begin the season on the shelf due to the groin strain he was diagnosed with March 20, and that transaction is now official. The right-hander recently threw a bullpen session and could progress to facing live batters within the next week or two.