MLB Player News

Eovaldi allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Sunday's spring game against the Twins.

Eovaldi told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com that it felt like he was rushing his delivery and his offspeed stuff wasn't very good. However, he was pleased with the fastball that averaged 97.9 mph and topped out at 99.5.

Manning will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday, pitching after Daniel Norris, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manning is one of the team's best prospects and is closing in on his MLB debut, though it's likely to happen sometime in the summer rather than right out of spring training. The 23-year-old will still be looking to make a good impression during his Grapefruit League action, and he could be an impact arm whenever he does reach the majors. He posted a 2.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 148 strikeouts across 133.2 innings in 2019 with Double-A Erie, then spent last season at the Tigers' alternate training site.

Rodriguez is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

That means Rodriguez will toe the rubber in Boston's sixth spring game; however, he did throw a two-inning simulated game Saturday and appears on track as the team's No. 1 starter. "He looked good," manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "Actually, we were talking about the fact that he was able to repeat his delivery for two innings. It's a positive. Good stuff. A few pitches over the middle of the plate. As far as mechanics and how he felt, it was a good step towards the right direction." The Red Sox will go with a six-man rotation during the first week of spring games but have not committed to it for the regular season. Whatever happens -- five-man or six-man -- Rodriguez will be part of it and likely be the ace.

Perez is scheduled to start Tuesday's spring game against Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Perez was Boston's most consistent starter from start to finish in 2020 and is expected to be part of the 2021 rotation. He follows Nathan Eovaldi (Sunday) and Garrett Richards (Monday). The Red Sox will trot out a six-man rotation early in camp but have not yet committed to that number for the regular season. "We're going to go with a six-man rotation early because I think it fits the pitcher progression better that way," said pitching coach Dave Bush. "I like keeping guys on six [days] just for a little while to spread out their increases and number of pitches." Following Perez on Tuesday is Nick Pivetta (Wednesday vs. Minnesota), Matt Andriese (Thursday vs. Baltimore) and Eduardo Rodriguez (Friday vs. Tampa Bay).

Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said Houck still needs to develop his splitter, which he introduced as a third pitch last season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. "If he's going to be a consistent big-league starter over time, he's going to need a quality third pitch. He knows that and that's probably been on the top of the list," said Bush.

Houck dazzled in a three-start stint late last season, but Bush's comments suggest the right-hander will open the season at Triple-A Worcester. He threw a handful of splitters during his starts in 2020, relying heavily on the fastball-slider mix, so it makes sense for Boston to have him work on the third pitch in the minors.

Lynn will start Thursday's spring game against the Giants, Daryl Van Shouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox will start rolling out their regular starters beginning Tuesday with Lucas Giolito. Lynn's start Thursday puts him on a five-day schedule for the third game of the season, suggesting that the left-handed Dallas Keuchel will slot in between the two right-handers.

Giolito is scheduled to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox are using non-roster invitees to start the first two games of spring and will then incorporate their rotation regulars. Tuesday's start puts Giolito on schedule to start Opening Day on April 1 against the Angels.

Blackburn cleared waivers Saturday and will remain in camp as a non-roster invitee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn and his 5.69 career ERA were unsurprisingly not a hot commodity on waivers. He'll remain in an organizational depth role for Oakland going forward.

Teheran said he didn't have his usual arm or leg strength after contracting COVID-19 last summer, impacting his mechanics during the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Teheran posted an atrocious 10.05 ERA in 31.1 innings with the Angels, so it's clear he was never quite right after his COVID-19 diagnosis. He ended up signing a minor-league contract with the Tigers earlier this month, but he could earn a rotation spot if he's back to full strength. The righty posted a much better 3.64 ERA with Atlanta from 2013 through 2019.

Verlander (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander's shift to the 60-day injured list is simply procedural, as the 38-year-old is expected to miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early October. His removal from the 40-man roster will clear room for Robel Garcia, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move. Although Verlander is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 campaign, he's expressed interest in continuing his career when he's healthy.