MLB Player News

Hancock has been invited to major-league spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hancock wasn't at big-league camp over the first few weeks of spring training, but manager Scott Servais said Saturday that he'll join the major-league club for developmental purposes. The 21-year-old won't appear in any Cactus League games but will get to work with the major-league coaching staff prior to heading to the minors to begin the regular season. The sixth overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft impressed at the team's alternate training site last year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Schmidt (elbow) is at least a week away from throwing, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Schmidt has been dealing with a minor extensor strain in his elbow to begin spring training, and the Yankees have been bringing him up slowly as a result. Although the team hasn't expressed significant concern regarding his injury, the right-hander likely won't be available for the first few weeks of the regular season.

Eovaldi, who had been scheduled to start Saturday, is having his next spring start pushed back to Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Boston manager Alex Cora was quick to point out this is not due to injury, but rather it was because Eovaldi missed a day of preparation for personal reasons, and the club wants to proceed with caution. Tuesday's start will be Eovladi's second Grapefruit League outing.

Rodriguez allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring game against the Rays.

This was a big start for Rodriguez, who hadn't gone through a pre-game routine in nearly a year. He missed the shortened 2020 season with myocarditis that developed following a severe case of COVID-19. Other than a second-inning home run to Moises Gomez, the left-hander had little trouble navigating Tampa Bay's roster. He was planned to pitch three innings or 50 pitches and was pulled by manager Alex Cora as Rodriguez neared his pitch limit, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Rodriguez, who threw a two-inning simulated game last Sunday, became the first Boston starter to make a progression by pitching into a third inning. He was pleased with his cutter and breaking ball.

Whitley threw a simulated game and, per manager Dusty Baker, "came up sore," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker did not disclose any other details on Whitley's status, but this report certainly provides reason for concern, and it will presumably alter Whitley's throwing program to some degree.

Bielak did not allow a hit or walk while striking out three over three scoreless relief innings in Friday's spring game against the Marlins.

Bielak had a brutal Grapefruit League debut last Sunday when he allowed four runs and two home runs over two innings, but his bounce-back performance, in which he threw 29 strikes among 33 pitches, came at a time when his importance increased. The Astros continue to evaluate starter Framber Valdez's fractured left ring finger, while Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are sidelined by health and safety protocols. Those developments could lead to Bielak, who started six games for Houston in 2020, becoming a member of this year's rotation.

Urquidy allowed one run on two hits over two innings in Friday's spring game against Miami.

Urquidy made his spring debut Friday and suddenly increases in importance, as Houston's starting rotation and depth is currently being challenged. Framber Valdez (finger) could miss the season while Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are away from camp due to health and safety protocols.

Greinke will make his spring debut Saturday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke's Grapefruit League debut is later than others because the pitcher chose to arrive at camp on the latest possible date, Feb. 27. He's expected to serve as Houston's No. 1 starter this season, as Justin Verlander (elbow) will not pitch in 2021.

Cease pitched a simulated game Friday and got up and down three times, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cease got positive reviews from manager Tony La Russa ("excellent") and catcher Jonathan Lucroy ("devastating arsenal"). The right-hander has not yet appeared in a Cactus League game, but he is expected to serve as the fourth starter behind Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn.

German tossed two scoreless innings against Detroit in a Grapefruit League game Friday, allowing one hit and striking out four.

German entered the contest having not faced big-league hitters in over 17 months, but he showed little rust in racking up four strikeouts and limiting Detroit to a Wilson Ramos double. The right-hander is battling this spring for the final spot in the Yankees' starting rotation, and he could maneuver his way into the position with more performances like the one he posted Friday.