MLB Player News

Rodriguez (arm) is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game at Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Though Boston formally placed Rodriguez on the injured list Thursday while he works through a case of dead arm, the fact that the lefty is facing hitters again suggests he'll likely be in store for little more than a minimum-length stay on the shelf. Tanner Houck is expected to fill in for Rodriguez when his first turn in the rotation comes up this weekend, but if the sim game goes well, Rodriguez could be ready to start as soon as April 8 against the Orioles.

Irvin appears to be the Athletics' temporary fifth starter after both A.J. Puk and Daulton Jefferies were optioned Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Irvin probably won't make too many starts in the role, as Mike Fiers (hip) doesn't appear to be facing a long-term absence. Though he had an excellent spring, Irvin holds limited fantasy appeal, as he owns a 6.75 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 17.2 percent strikeout rate in 45.1 career major-league innings.

The Rangers recalled Allard from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Allard initially appeared set to miss out on the Opening Day roster, but the Rangers elected to bring him back as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. Texas plans to use rotation members Jordan Lyles and Dane Dunning as tandem starters for the first outings of the season Sunday in Kansas City and Tuesday versus Toronto, respectively, but Allard isn't expected to piggyback either pitcher. Instead, Taylor Hearn appears on track to follow Lyles, while Wes Benjamin will follow Dunning.

Rodriguez (arm) will begin the season on the injured list as expected, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Though his stint will technically last 10 days, Rodriguez may not need to miss more than one turn in the rotation. The move can be backdated to Monday, leaving Rodriguez eligible to return on April 8. That would have been the first time the Red Sox needed a fifth starter, but their Opening Day contest against the Orioles was rained out Thursday and postponed to Friday, eliminating their early off day. The Red Sox have yet to confirm whether Rodriguez will return when first eligible.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Turnbull (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) has been cleared to report to the Tigers' spring-training complex in Lakeland, Fla. to resume workouts, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After nearly two weeks away from the team while he waited to clear protocols, Turnbull will need some time to fully ramp up before Detroit activates him from the COVID-19 injured list. He's expected to throw at least a couple of bullpen sessions in Lakeland before moving on to the organization's alternate site in Toledo, where he'll likely complete a simulated game or two to finish out his throwing progression. Assuming he experiences no snags in the build-up process, Turnbull could be ready to rejoin the Detroit rotation at some point in the second half of April.

Means and the Orioles won't play the Red Sox on Thursday after their Opening Day game was postponed due to rain, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The two teams are now scheduled to play their season opener Friday, which was initially set to be an off day for both sides. Means and the other four members of the Orioles' Opening Day rotation will presumably all be pushed back a day in the pitching schedule.

Eovaldi and the Red Sox won't play the Orioles on Thursday after their Opening Day game was postponed due to rain, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The two teams are now scheduled to play their season opener Friday, which was initially set to be an off day for both sides. Eovaldi and the other members of the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation will presumably all be pushed back a day in the pitching schedule.

Sandoval was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was competing for a bullpen spot but was unable to show enough during spring training to earn the role. Sandoval had a 5.65 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB over 36.2 innings last season for the Angels.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said that Paxton will make his first start of the season Tuesday against the White Sox, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Paxton was initially lined up to start the Mariners' second game of the season Friday against the Giants, but he'll instead switch spots in the rotation order with Yusei Kikuchi. The change isn't an ideal one for Paxton's fantasy managers, especially for those in leagues with two separate lineup periods for the first two weeks of the season. Not only will Paxton miss out on a Week 1 start, but he'll also get a downgrade in matchup in swapping out the Giants for the White Sox in his first start.

Manager Scott Servais said Kikuchi would start the Mariners' second game of the season Friday against the Giants, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

James Paxton was initially lined up to follow Opening Day starter Marco Gonzales in the pitching order, but Paxton will instead flip spots with Kikuchi, who had been slated to start the fifth game of the season Tuesday against the White Sox. The change is a welcome one for Kikuchi's fantasy managers, particularly in leagues with separate lineup periods for the first two weeks of the season. Not only will Kikuchi draw a more favorable matchup in swapping out the White Sox for the Giants, but he'll still line up for a Week 2 start. He tentatively lines up to make his second start of the season April 10 in Minnesota.