MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Crawford (undisclosed) and Josh Winckowski are both expected to be part of the Red Sox' Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

One of the two will be in the rotation until Garrett Whitlock (hip) is ready, although manager Alex Cora wouldn't say who. Crawford was scratched from a scheduled Grapefruit League start Thursday due to undisclosed reasons, but it would appear whatever he's dealing with isn't a concern. Winckowski is making the start in his place.

Maeda (elbow) threw a live bullpen session Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He gave up five earned runs and two home runs in his last spring outing March 19 and has a 6.23 ERA this spring with a 8:7 K:BB ratio in 8.2 innings.

Maeda hadn't thrown a competitive pitch before this spring since August of 2021 when he underwent Tommy John surgery. By all accounts he's healthy and ready for the start of the regular season, though e's struggled with his control this spring, which could be just the result of a veteran getting in his work and not as worried about results. However, it could also be a sign his command isn't sharp in his initial return from the procedure. Watch his final spring outing and performance early in the season, but he looks set to begin the year in the Minnesota rotation, and there hasn't ye been talk of a six-man rotation to ease him into action.

Manning allowed an unearned run on six hits across four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. He walked two and struck out six.

Manning allowed plenty of baserunners but was mostly able to avoid trouble. He still has a rough 6.43 ERA this spring, though his last two starts have been better, as he's allowed no earned runs across 7.2 innings with 10 strikeouts. Manning should slot in as the Tigers' fourth starter and could be ready to take a step forward after showing some promising signs during an injury-shortened 2022 campaign.

Clevinger said he was dealing with a sinus infection during his Cactus League start Wednesday against the Rangers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

There was a concerning dip in his velocity readings, and Clevinger blamed it on the illness, saying he struggled to find an "extra gear" with his fastball. Still, the 32-year-old right-hander managed to induce a bevy of groundouts as he turned in five innings of one-run ball versus Texas. He should be in the clear to open the 2023 regular season as a starter for the White Sox.

Sale allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Orioles.

Sale, making his third Grapefruit League start, allowed a pair of first-inning home runs and didn't have command of his slider, but the left-hander bumped his pitch count to 70, was sitting mid-90s with his fastball, and got acclimated to working with traffic on the bases. Sale will make one more start before breaking camp with the Red Sox for the first time since 2019. He'll start the second game of the season against Baltimore.

Eovaldi threw five scoreless innings in a Cactus League start Wednesday against the White Sox.

Deploying mostly cutters and sliders, Eovaldi scattered five hits and one walk across his five scoreless frames while racking up four strikeouts. He has yet to allow a run through 10.1 innings this spring and boasts a 13:1 K:BB. The 33-year-old right-hander battled a side injury in the early part of camp but now looks fully ready to take his first scheduled turn in the Rangers' season-opening starting rotation. Texas signed Eovaldi to a two-year, $34 million contract in December.

Crawford has been scratched from Thursday's scheduled spring training start against the Pirates, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

Instead of Crawford on the bump, it'll be Josh Winckowski who starts against Pittsburgh. No reason has been given as to why Crawford won't make the start, but the team should provide an update on the matter in the coming days. Both Crawford and Winckowski are battling for one of the final spots in Boston's rotation to open the season.

Brown (back) was scratched from his Grapefruit League start Wednesday against the Mets as a precaution, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown experienced some lower-back tightness while doing agility drills Tuesday in Astros camp and the team didn't want to risk an aggravation. The talented 24-year-old right-hander could perhaps fit in one final exhibition outing as he prepares to open the 2023 season as the No. 5 starter in Houston. There doesn't seem to be any current worry about an IL stint.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed Wednesday that Sale will start the second game of the regular season April 1 in Boston versus the Orioles, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

As anticipated, Corey Kluber will get the Opening Day nod March 30, with Sale following the two-time Cy Young Award winner in the rotation. The 33-year-old left-hander has logged only 11 total major-league starts since the end of the 2019 campaign, but he's looked sharp this spring with nine strikeouts and only one walk through 10 innings of Grapefruit League action. Most importantly, Sale finally carries a clean bill of health.

Crawford will get the start for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

Crawford will get the start, and Josh Winckowski will be the first arm out of the bullpen for the spring contest. Both hurlers are competing for the final spot the Red Sox rotation, and Crawford has made a strong case by generating a 2.03 ERA, 14:3 K:BB and 0.97 WHIP over 13 innings in Grapefruit League play. Whoever performs better during Thursday's game could ultimately be declared the winner of the job battle.