MLB Player News

Odorizzi allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings in Monday's spring game against Washington.

Odorizzi, who was signed by the Astros after spring training started, is behind other starters. He ran his pitch count to 54 on Monday and is focused on getting ready for Houston's home-opening series beginning April 8, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. The right-hander will work on the backfields in simulated games over the next week to 10 days to build up for his season debut.

Urena allowed one run across 4.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He gave up one hit and five walks while striking out three.

The five walks are a little concerning, but it was otherwise a good start for Urena, who finishes spring training with a solid 1.93 ERA. The righty will open the season in Detroit's rotation, slotting in somewhere behind Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd.

Wells will break camp in the Orioles' bullpen, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

As a Rule 5 pick, Wells has to be kept on the roster all season or offered back to the Twins. He appears to have won his roster spot by merit, however, as he struck out 12 batters and walking just three in nine innings this spring, allowing one run on six hits.

Arihara will start the second game of the season Saturday in Kansas City, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Arihara is coming off something of a down season in Japan, with his ERA rising a full run to a still-solid 3.46 and his strikeout rate falling to 19.4 percent, but he's found himself with a team where starts shouldn't be hard to come by. The Rangers will open with just three true starters to begin the season, using tandem arrangements for the other two spots, but Arihara is one of the ones who will be relied upon to handle a starter's workload. He looked worthy of one this spring, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB in four starts.

Rodriguez (arm) threw another bullpen session Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez was initially expected to start on Opening Day but was pushed back due to a dead arm. It's not particularly surprising that he'd be dealing with such an issue, as he missed all of last season after developing a heart condition during his battle with COVID-19. While the heart problem is no longer an issue, the Red Sox may have to handle him carefully for most of the season. It's not yet clear when he's expected to make his season debut.

Houck remains in contention to open the season as a member of the Red Sox rotation, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Houck appeared set to begin the season in the minors after he was optioned March 17, but the complexion of Boston's rotation has changed dramatically since then. Eduardo Rodriguez is working through a dead-arm phase that will prevent him from being available for Boston's season-opening series with the Orioles this weekend, while projected No. 3 starter Garrett Richards' status is uncertain while he's believed to be away from the team due to COVID-19-related concerns. Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez are scheduled to start two of the Red Sox's three games with Baltimore, but Houck -- who is pitching in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta -- is tentatively lined up to start Saturday versus the Orioles.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed Monday that Kremer would open the season as a member of the rotation, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Kremer is scheduled to take the ball for the Orioles' fifth game of the season April 6 in New York against the Yankees. The 25-year-old righty showed the ability to make bats miss (22 strikeouts in 18.2 innings) in his first taste of the big leagues last September, but control (12 walks) was a concern. With that in mind, Kremer is best viewed as a late-round flier in AL-only leagues or as a streaming option when the Orioles are opposing a weak offense.

Javier threw 70 pitches over 5.1 innings in a "B" game against the Marlins on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier, who missed a week of preparation during spring training due to health and safety protocols, is preparing to start the second game of the regular season. He's behind other starters, but Sunday's outing puts Javier in range to throw five-plus innings against the Athletics on Friday, which potentially qualifies him for a win.

Paxton recorded nine strikeouts and allowed two hits and two walks while also hitting a batter over four scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Giants on Saturday.

Paxton finishes Cactus League play with 17 strikeouts over 8.1 innings, proving the velocity drop he experienced as a result of numerous injuries last season is no longer an issue. The veteran left-hander lines up to take the ball against the Giants in the Mariners' second game of the season Friday night.

Berrios gave up three runs on two home runs over 4.1 innings in his final spring start. He finished spring with a 3.50 ERA. "He's at the top of his game right now," manager Rocco Baldelli said, per Megan Ryan of Minneapolis Star Tribune. "... He is ready to take the mound and go out there and win a ballgame in his first start."

Berrios threw 65 pitches, which was his goal to be ready for his first start. He'll make his regular season debut Saturday at Milwaukee.