MLB Player News

Chirinos is a leading candidate to enter the Rays rotation in the absence of Tyler Glasnow (oblique), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos has thrown just 18.1 innings since the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He did make a spot start toward the end of the 2022 campaign, delivering four scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. After rejoining the Rays on a one-year deal this offseason, Chirinos looked like a fringe candidate to make the roster out of spring training. However, he could now be in line for a far more significant role.

McClanahan allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

McClanahan was on the mound for game action for the first time in 2023, and his outing was a success based on the stat sheet. Per Dawn Klemish of MLB.com, McClanahan worked through adjustments related to the pitch clock, as he noticed he was working too fast and his control was suffering as a result. The issue doesn't currently pose any reason for concern, as McClanahan specifically pointed out he was using the exhibition season to adjust to the new rule.

Sale (wrist) is officially scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday versus the Tigers, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Sale threw a successful live batting practice session Wednesday and is now ready for a taste of real competition. The 33-year-old left-hander was limited to 5.2 major-league innings (two starts) last season due to a range of different injuries, but he entered this spring with zero limitations and might just be ready to return to ace-like status in 2023.

Cortes (hamstring) said Wednesday he'll throw a live batting practice session Friday before potentially making his Grapefruit League debut in the middle of next week, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Cortes was forced to withdraw from pitching for the United States team in the World Baseball Classic after straining his right hamstring in a workout early on during spring training, but the injury doesn't look as though it'll threaten his availability for Opening Day. He's already been able to throw multiple bullpen sessions and noted Wednesday that his hamstring responded well to pitchers' fielding practice, so he'll take the next step forward in his recovery by facing hitters Friday. If all goes well for Cortes, Rivera noted that the southpaw could be a candidate to start the Yankees' March 8 Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Berrios gave up two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings while striking out two in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Phillies.

The 28-year-old right-hander is coming off the worst full season of his career, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 19.8 percent strikeout rate over 172 innings, so a good spring would go a long toward reassuring fantasy GMs considering whether to gamble on a rebound. Berrios is still locked into a rotation spot for the Blue Jays, but if his 2023 begins the way his 2022 ended, his leash could be fairly short.

Cantillo (shoulder) completed a throwing session last week on the back fields at the Guardians' minor-league camp, SI.com reports.

Cantillo was added to the Guardians' 40-man roster over the winter and is attending big-league camp, but he has yet to make his Cactus League debut. His absence from Cleveland's spring pitching schedule is likely more of a reflection of the fact that he's not a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster, as the 23-year-old lefty looks to be healthy again after shoulder soreness sidelined him for the final two months of the minor-league season. Cantillo submitted a 1.93 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB in 60.2 innings for Double-A Akron before succumbing to the shoulder injury.

Bello (forearm) threw a bullpen session without incident Wednesday, John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Bello said a day earlier that he has been throwing at about 80 percent effort and feels healthy again after being slowed earlier in camp due to right forearm soreness. He looks on track to appear in Grapefruit League games within the next two weeks, but the time he's already missed could work against him in his bid for a spot in Boston's Opening Day rotation.

Means said Wednesday that he expects to advance from throwing off flat ground to throwing off a half-mound early next week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Both Means and manager Brandon Hyde had implied earlier in spring training that the southpaw was on track to resume half-mound work by the end of February, but Means ended up staying in a holding pattern in his rehab program for Tommy John surgery a little longer than initially anticipated. With neither the pitcher nor team indicating Means suffered a setback, he should still have a chance to make it back from the injured list at some point in July. However, Means still has several markers to hit in his recovery from surgery before the Orioles offer a more precise target date for him to make his 2023 debut.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Eovaldi won't make his next scheduled Cactus League start due to left side tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Young compared Eovaldi's situation to the one that plagued Jacob deGrom earlier in camp, though deGrom appears to have moved past the injury and should be ready to make his spring debut next week. Assuming Eovaldi remains on a similar recovery path as deGrom, his availability for Opening Day shouldn't be affected. Eovaldi pitched well in his Cactus League debut over the weekend against the Royals, striking out four batters over two perfect frames.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Odorizzi is a bit behind schedule in spring training due to right arm fatigue, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Young sounded unconcerned, indicating that Odorizzi was dealing with typical early spring aches and pains. It's not clear, however, when Odorizzi might be cleared for Cactus League action. The veteran right-hander currently appears to be in line to fill a long-relief role for Texas, though he could be set for a good number of piggyback starts or turns as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen.