MLB Player News

Gil was optioned to Double-A Somerset on Friday.

Gil is on the Yankees' 40-man roster, but he has yet to pitch beyond the High-A level and wasn't in contention to make the Opening Day roster. The right-hander has appeared in one game during spring training, pitching a perfect inning against Detroit.

Dunn, competing with Nick Margevicius for the sixth starter role, allowed an unearned run on three hits and a walk over three innings in a Cactus League win over the Reds on Friday. He struck out three.

Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Dunn's fastball velocity and location both continue to be highlights of his impressive performances thus far, with the heater touching 96 mph Friday and the right-hander issuing just the one free pass. Dunn's diligent offseason conditioning work has paid dividends to date in the form of an unblemished ERA through five spring frames, certainly catching his boss' eye. "His body is moving differently down the mound, and he's got something behind it," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "There's life on the ball."

Kopech (calf) is expected to pitch during Monday's Cactus League matchup against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kopech experienced calf tightness Friday and threw a side session rather than pitching in the spring game against the Rangers. Manager Tony La Russa said that the right-hander didn't experience any calf issues Saturday, and he'll return to Cactus League action Monday as a result.

Teheran has averaged 92 mph with his fastball in his last two Grapefruit League starts, which is up from last season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Teheran sat below 90 mph during most of 2020, and he struggled with a 10.05 ERA and 1.76 WHIP across 10 appearances (nine starts) with the Angels. The Tigers are hoping the righty reverts to his 2019 form, when he posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 33 starts with Atlanta. Teheran is a non-roster invitee to camp, but he could push his way onto the roster if he looks more like his old self.

Quantrill gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one in three innings in his most recent Cactus League appearance against the Angels.

He was scoreless over two frames in his first outing of the spring, but has given up multiple runs in each of his most recent appearances, during which he has been piggybacking with Triston McKenzie. Cleveland has been keeping its cards close to the vest thus far regarding how the rotation will shake out behind its top three starters, but the general assumption is that McKenzie will be the No. 4 starter while Quantrill and Logan Allen vie for the final spot. Allen has had better results in their respective tiny samples this spring, while Quantrill has a more impressive track record dating back to previous seasons.

McKenzie gave up one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two in three innings in his most recent Cactus League outing against the Angels.

He has steadily built up this spring, throwing 1.2 innings in his first outing, then two innings and then three innings in his latest appearance. McKenzie and Cal Quantrill have been piggybacking in their appearances this spring. The assumption is that McKenzie will be the No. 4 starter, while Quantrill and Logan Allen vie for the final spot in the rotation, although Cleveland has not officially confirmed that McKenzie is locked into a spot.

Allard is one of several candidates that could be used as part of a piggyback tandem with another pitcher, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. The left-hander was dominant Friday when he allowed one hit and one walk striking out six in a spring game against the White Sox.

Texas manager Chris Woodward talked about the need to be "creative" with his staff, which includes several young hurlers that do not have a track record of pitching a lot of innings in a season. There's also a strategic benefit, per the manager. "You've got to have opposite arms, obviously, with one guy throwing two-seamers this way and another guy throwing 97 this way. Just matching them up the best way possible. I think this is something we're definitely talking about." Allard has allowed three hits and one walk while striking out nine over six scoreless innings in Cactus League play.

Lyles allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings in Friday's spring game against the White Sox.

Lyles is one of several Texas pitchers without a set role at this point, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. He's been told that he won't be used as a traditional starter, news that didn't please him, and he could be used as part of tandem with another pitcher stretched out for multiple innings. "He's throwing the ball really well. Now, it's a question of how long can you do it? I don't know what the answer is. If he does [maintain his strength], then obviously he's a guy you would want starting," said manager Chris Woodward. The right-hander started nine games and made three relief appearances for the Rangers in 2020, posting a 7.02 ERA. Offensive numbers against him spiked after Lyles reached 45 pitches last season; between pitches 46-60, batters had a .982 OPS against him.

Dunning pitched 2.1 innings in a "B" game Friday against the White Sox.

Dunning got off to a shaky start but then settled in. After inducing a groundout to the first batter, he gave up singles to three straight batters, reached his pitch limit, and had the inning rolled. Dunning was better in his two full innings after that, giving up two hits and striking out four. Because he hasn't pitched much since 2018, the right-hander is expected to be part of a piggyback situation. The Rangers may have two sets of piggyback tandems among a group that includes Dunning, Taylor Hearn, Kyle Cody, Wes Benjamin and Kolby Allard, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Garica is throw in a "B" game Saturday against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia is a potential starter, but he hasn't thrown an inning in a spring game. He recently cleared the league's health and safety protocols. That doesn't leave much time to build up pitches and innings in the lead up to Opening Day.