MLB Player News

Odorizzi likely won't be ready for Opening Day because he'll need more time to build up his pitch count, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi was recently signed after Framber Valdez suffered a broken left ring finger and has not yet pitched in a Grapefruit League game. He's expected to replace Valdez in the rotation, but if he's unavailable for a turn or two, Houston will need to turn to a diminishing stock of available starters. Cristian Javier hasn't pitched since May 2 and just returned from being in quarantine; it's a similar situation for Luis Garcia, who spent time in quarantine and has not yet pitched this spring. That could lead to early season starts for Brandon Bielak.

Giolito allowed two hits and one walk while striking out five over four scoreless innings in Friday's spring game against the Rangers.

Giolito keeps working toward what is expected to be an Opening Day start, even though manager Tony La Russa didn't commit to that, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Giolito expressed his desire to pitch the season opener, but he was more focused how well is slider behaved during the outing. He's allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 over nine Cactus League innings.

Kopech threw a side session Friday rather than pitching in a spring game against the Rangers after experiencing calf tightness, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The fact the 24-year-old still had a throwing session indicates the calf issue is minor, though it's still somewhat worrying to have an injury crop up so close to Opening Day. Kopech should be considered day-to-day until he's able to return to game action.

Bieber will start Opening Day at Detroit on April 1, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was the unanimous winner of the American League Cy Young in 2020, so it's no surprise he'll be starting things off for Cleveland this season. Bieber had a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 122:21 K:BB across 77.1 innings last season after establishing himself as a strong rotation piece with a 3.28 ERA in 2019.

Luzardo fired four scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing no hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts.

The Athletics have been deliberate about breaking in the members of their starting rotation this spring, so Thursday marked Luzardo's first outing. The final line certainly speaks to the left-hander's dominance, and Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Luzardo unveiled a new looping 65 mph breaking ball that he got a called third strike on. "He's very understanding of what he needs to work on," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He's worked this spring on throwing two different kinds of breaking balls to try to add a four-pitch mix, so if one isn't working then he still has three pitches."

Flexen allowed a two-run home run, issued a pair of walks and hit a batter over three innings in a Cactus League tie with the Dodgers on Thursday. He struck out three.

Considering he was facing the defending champions and a lineup full of regulars, the end result wasn't necessarily disappointing. Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Flexen largely accomplished his goal of mixing in all of his pitches, and that the veteran's fastball sat between 92 and 95 mph. "My cutter was really good tonight, I thought my curveball was sharp tonight," Flexen said.

Glasnow recorded seven strikeouts with only a hit, a walk and a wild pitch over four scoreless innings during a Grapefruit League loss to Atlanta on Thursday.

Adam Berry of MLB.com reports the right-hander was as dominant as his line implies, with Glasnow utilizing his four-pitch mix to retire 11 batters in a row at one point against an Atlanta lineup replete with regulars. The presumptive staff ace heading into 2021, Glasnow stretched out to 52 pitches (34 strikes) Thursday while consistently dealing his fastball in the 97-99 mph range and keeping hitters off balance with the rest of his arsenal. "I felt really good. Timing was good. I think just incorporating the slider and the changeup made everything a lot easier," Glasnow said.

Wentz (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

The 23-year-old was in major-league camp but is still working through his throwing program as he makes his return from March 2020 Tommy John surgery. Wentz previously said he may be able to begin a rehab assignment in late April or early May.

Greinke allowed two hits and struck out four over three scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Mets.

Greinke elevated his pitch count to 45 in his second Grapefruit League outing. He's allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts and has not walked a batter. The right-hander's on schedule to start Opening Day for Houston.

Rodon allowed two hits and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Reds.

Rodon made his Cactus League debut as a reliever for starter Rodrigo Lopez. The two are competing for the final spot in the rotation, and Thursday's outcomes favored Rodon. Lopez was hit hard during his three innings, and he believes he may have been tipping his pitches, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Whichever pitcher doesn't make the rotation is expected to be part of the bullpen.