MLB Player News

Ragans allowed one run on two hits while striking out four over three innings in Sunday's spring start against the Angels.

Ragans allowed a leadoff triple then retired nine of the next 10 batters faced. The left-hander turned heads this spring with a significant increase in velocity. The pitcher who sat at 92.1 mph during a nine-start introduction to the majors last season is living around 94-96 -- and topped out at 99 a couple of times -- in Cactus League play, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Ragans has allowed one run and walked just one (3.6 BB/9 last season) over six spring innings. "He's pounding the strike zone. And then you look at the stuff, there's no getting around it," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's up from where it was last year, the velocity, but you look at the offspeed pitches, the changeup, the breaking ball -- he's been sharp from Day One, including bullpens and live BPs." Ragans is expected to serve as a depth starter in the organization, but with nagging spring injuries among the projected rotation, he could be up sooner rather than later.

Faedo allowed three runs on four hits while retiring only two batters in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Faedo underwent hip surgery in July, which ended his rookie season. He entered camp healthy and has now had one good performance followed by this rough one. The righty is likely on the outside looking in at the rotation, with Spencer Turnbull back in action, and Matthew Boyd and Michael Lorenzen added in free agency. Faedo could settle in as a long-relief option for the Tigers, which would limit his fantasy value in the short term, though the former first-round pick still has some upside if he starts down the road.

Gray (back) threw a bullpen session Sunday.

Gray reported immediate relief after undergoing treatment Saturday for back tightness that caused him to get scratched from his scheduled start Friday. The right-hander believes he can throw in a game as early as Wednesday.

Sears has allowed five earned runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings while recording six strikeouts across his first two Cactus League starts.

The left-hander is competing for a spot in the starting rotation after turning in a solid 6-3 record, 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 17 appearances (11 starts) as a rookie in 2022. Jack McGruder of MLB.com reports Sears has been working at refining his slider all offseason and used it very effectively against the Cubs in Thursday's start; all three runs allowed by Sears came off his fastball, while the southpaw racked up two strikeouts of Eric Hosmer and induced an inning-ending double play from Cody Bellinger with the slider.

Clevinger will not face discipline from Major League Baseball following an investigation into domestic violence charges, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rogers also reports that Clevinger has voluntarily agreed to evaluations by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Player Association's treatment boards, and that he will comply with any recommendations. It was reported in January that the league was investigating Clevinger for allegations of domestic violence and child abuse that included physical, verbal and emotional abuse toward the mother of Clevinger's daughter as well as his daughter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone hinted Sunday that Cortes (hamstring) will likely be the fifth starter to begin the season, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Gerrit Cole is likely to start Opening Day followed by Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino, and then the winner of the competition between Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt would likely start the fourth game. That would give Cortes an extra few days to be ready for the year as he recovers from the strained hamstring that has sidelined him this spring, with Boone telling reporters that he's about a week behind the other arms in the rotation. The left-hander is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut soon, and while his debut may come later than anticipated, Cortes still should be ready to help fantasy managers to begin 2023.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Sunday that McCullers (forearm) hasn't resumed playing catch yet, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers has been diagnosed with a small muscle strain in his right forearm and has already been ruled out for Opening Day. The right-hander is hopeful he can reach 150 innings in the 2023 campaign, but he's a very risky option for fantasy purposes as there's no clear timetable for a return.

Perez allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three over three innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox.

Perez was making his second Cactus League start and final one before jetting off to the World Baseball Classic. The left-hander bumped his pitch count to 55 pitches, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, and got all nine of his outs on groundballs (six) or strikeouts. The pitcher who averages more than three walks per nine innings during his career has yet to walk a batter in six spring innings. He also received a mouthful from old friend Elvis Andrus, who sent the pitcher on his way to the WBC with a two-run home run. Perez is expected to start Venezuela's opener against the Dominican Republic next Saturday and will be on a 65-pitch limit.

Gray (back) said he "feels normal" after receiving treatment Saturday.

Gray was scratched an hour before he was scheduled to start Friday's game after feeling back tightness. The right-hander expects to throw a bullpen session Sunday and could return to game action as soon as Wednesday.

Turnbull (elbow) allowed one run on two hits across two innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

It was Turnbull's first game action since 2021 as he makes his way back following Tommy John surgery. The righty logged 25 pitches, and the Tigers will likely be cautious with him throughout the spring. Turnbull will slot into Detroit's rotation this season, possibly as the No. 2 starter behind Eduardo Rodriguez. He could have some fantasy appeal if he's fully healthy, though his workload figures to be managed all year, which could limit his upside. Turnbull's career high in innings is the 148.1 he pitched back in 2019.