MLB Player News

Ray has a 1.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across eight innings in three Cactus League starts.

Ray worked up to 28 pitches in his most recent start Monday against the Angels, and although he's pitched to some contact (seven hits), he' s impressively limited the damage. Ray scuffled to a 12-12 record in Mariners debut campaign in 2022, yet he still generated an impressive 3.71 ERA and respectable 1.19 WHIP across 32 starts. Although the veteran southpaw's strikeout rate did drop from 2021's 32.1 percent in Toronto to 27.4 percent, early returns this spring underscore Ray's ability to miss bats at an above-average clip.

Turnbull allowed three runs on six hits across three innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out four.

Turnbull allowed only three total hits across his first two spring starts, but he was much more hittable Thursday. On a positive note, the righty continued to rack up strikeouts, and he now has nine across 7.1 Grapefruit League innings. Turnbull is making his return from Tommy John surgery this year, so there likely will be some ups and downs, but he could be a streaming option in the right matchups.

Jobe was diagnosed Thursday with lumbar spine inflammation and will be sidelined 3-to-6 months, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jobe battled back discomfort down the stretch last year at High-A West Michigan, and he apparently aggravated the issue in Tigers camp this spring. The 20-year-old right-hander is in danger of missing most of the 2023 minor-league season. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of a high school in Oklahoma City.

Bassitt has tinkered with his positioning on the rubber this spring in order to offer hitters different angles on his already deep repertoire, Eno Sarris of The Athletic reports.

"Technically I have eight," Bassitt said last week when counting up his pitches. "I have two different changeups. To lefties, it's more of a split-change, and to righties, I have a true change." By moving around on the rubber, the veteran right-hander can give hitters more things to think about. "We're learning right now that if I slide more to the third base side it improves my slider, because I have more plate to work with," he said. "From the third base side, I can throw it straight and let it break, like how Max Scherzer does it - he's hard third base side and crossfires sliders down and away." Bassitt's secret strength since becoming a full-time starter in 2019 has been his ability to lessen the third time through the order penalty thanks to having so many pitches he trusts, and after recording a career-high 19 quality starts last season with the Mets, the 34-year-old might just top that number for the Blue Jays in 2023.

Gausman allowed two hits and two walks over 3.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The veteran righty fired 43 of 65 pitches for strikes as he continues to gear up ahead of Opening Day. Gausman has yet to give up an earned run this spring while posting a 12:3 K:BB through 8.2 innings, and the tweaks he made this offseason to his mechanics to avoid running afoul of MLB's balk crackdown don't seem to have impacted his performance at all.

Manager Bruce Bochy indicated Wednesday that deGrom (side) is likely to be on a pitch count to start the season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Bocy said both deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi (side) may be restricted to 75-to-80 pitches to begin the season while coming off their respective injuries. That means guys like Dane Dunning, Glenn Otto or Cole Ragans could be paired with the starters. DeGrom recently threw two innings in a minor-league game and is ramping up for the regular season.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged Wednesday that Eovaldi (side) is likely to be on a restrictive pitch count to start the season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The reports indicates a pitch count for both Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom (side) in the 75 to 80 range, which roughly translates to five innings. In that event, Dane Dunning, Glenn Otto or Cole Ragans could act as a piggyback option. Eovaldi recently returned to game action, firing off a couple of innings against Double-A hitters.

Dunning allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six over five shutout innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Royals.

Since getting rocked as a reliever in his Cactus League debut, Dunning has been superb in subsequent outings. In three starts, the right-hander has allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 13 over 12 innings. Despite the good numbers, Dunning is on the outside of the Rangers' projected rotation, which includes newcomers Jacob deGrom (side), Nathan Eovaldi (side) and Andrew Heaney. He's setting himself up to be the top fill-in starter and possibly a piggyback option for deGrom and Eovaldi, both of whom Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said may be on restrictive pitch counts to open the season, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Rangers also have a long man in Jake Odorizzi, but an arm issue means he won't be ready by Opening Day.

Paxton will undergo testing on his injured hamstring Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

If he's cleared to return after Friday's exam, Paxton will begin throwing bullpen sessions. He's one of three possible rotation members expected to open the season on the injured list. Garrett Whitlock (hip) made his spring debut Wednesday and Brayan Bello (forearm) is expected to follow shortly.

Whitlock (hip) walked one and struck out three over two scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Whitlock looked impressive in his spring debut following rehab from hip surgery. While he pitched in relief Wednesday, following five strong innings from Corey Kluber, the right-hander is expected to be a starter in 2023. Whitlock will not be ready for the opening series and could miss up to two April starts, but the positives of his Grapefruit League debut outweigh a couple of missed cold-weather starts.