MLB Player News

Lynch was removed from Kansas City's Cactus League game against San Diego on Thursday with an apparent shoulder issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch seemed to know something was wrong immediately after throwing a pitch, pointing at his shoulder and motioning for a trainer to come onto the field. The team will look at his shoulder and provide further updates, but early signs are not reassuring for the 26-year-old lefty.

Kikuchi is slated to open the season in the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kikuchi enjoyed his best start of the Grapefruit League schedule Thursday against the Twins, striking out nine batters over five scoreless innings. That put him at 25 strikeouts through 18 innings this spring, though he has also issued 10 walks. It's difficult to expect much consistency from the 31-year-old left-hander leading into the 2023 campaign after his rough showing in 2022, which saw him finish with a 5.19 ERA. Mitch White (shoulder) could eventually be an option to unseat him in that No. 5 spot in the rotation.

The White Sox optioned Martin to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The right-hander has struggled with a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings of Grapefruit League action. That said, Martin did post a respectable, albeit unimpressive 4.83 ERA and provided rotation depth last season, so he's a likely bet to rejoin the White Sox at some point in 2023.

Brown (back) did not throw Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It might have just been another rest day for Brown's lower-back tightness, which caused him to miss a scheduled Grapefruit League start Wednesday against the Mets. Astros manager Dusty Baker offered no update on the status of the 24-year-old right-hander, who had been cruising toward the final spot in Houston's Opening Day rotation before the injury surfaced.

Whitlock (hip) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock made his first spring training start Monday, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the 26-year-old righty will need to make three more starts before he's ready to rejoin Boston's rotation. Those three outings (plus four rest days between each start) put him in line to return sometime in mid-April.

Bello (forearm) will begin the regular season on the 10-day injured list as he builds up for a starter's workload, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

As expected, Bello, who battled forearm tightness earlier in the spring, will spend at least a couple more weeks building up for the regular season. Once ready, the right-handed prospect figures to enter Boston's rotation and build upon his rookie campaign in 2022, when he posted a 4.71 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 57.1 innings.

Crawford will break camp as a member of the Red Sox' rotation, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Crawford will start the fourth game of the season at home against the Pirates. It's possible it will be the only start he gets before Garrett Whitlock (hip) joins the rotation, with James Paxton (hamstring) and Brayan Bello (forearm) hopefully not far behind. Crawford earned the spot by posting a 2.03 ERA and 14:3 K:BB over 13.1 innings this spring. He was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday, but it appears that was just about lining him up for his regular-season outing.

Garcia was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia has allowed just two runs over 12.1 innings this spring but still finds himself on the outside looking in for a roster spot. It's not clear whether the 27-year-old will be used as a starter or reliever -- or both -- at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Rodon (forearm) threw a 15-pitch, all-fastball bullpen session Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It was his first time on the bump since he went down with a left forearm strain in early March. Rodon is slated to play catch Friday and throw another bullpen session in a few days, mixing in some breaking balls that time. The southpaw is expected to need 2--to-4 bullpen sessions and a couple live batting practice sessions before being cleared for a rehab assignment.

Rodon (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he was diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain back on March 9. Rodon is expected to throw at least two bullpen sessions before progressing to a couple live batting practice sessions and then a rehab assignment. That would seem to rule him out until at least late April, although a clearer timetable should be available as he continues his progression.