MLB Player News

Severino (elbow) is expected to throw off a mound within the next two weeks, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Severino is past the midpoint of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in February of last year, but he still has plenty of work to do. He won't throw off a mound next week but is expected to do so during the following week as he targets a return sometime over the summer.

Montas, who was cleared to join spring training Thursday after a stay on the COVID-19 injured list, has already begun his ramp-up process, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has already begun a throwing program, and manager Bob Melvin has confirmed Montas will be on the same schedule as the rest of the staff, but just a bit behind in the actual implementation. Montas is expected to progress from throwing bullpens to facing hitters in simulated situations in coming days, and he'll naturally have a chance to see action in multiple Cactus League games.

Schmidt's elbow injury is considered minor, and he hopes to return soon, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Schmidt has been shut down to begin spring training due to an extensor strain in his elbow, but he said Saturday that the injury is a minor one. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will return in time to build up enough ahead of Opening Day, but he appears to have avoided a long-term issue.

Greinke completed intake testing and joined the Astros at spring training Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke got a late start to spring training for a second straight season, but he joined the team ahead of the league's mandatory report date. The right-hander should still have plenty of time to prepare for Opening Day following his brief absence.

Sale (elbow) will stretch his flat-ground throwing program out to 90 feet Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sale, who has not yet thrown off a mound, continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery last March. While he has no set timetable for returning, the left-hander is expected to pitch at some point during the 2021 season.

Rodriguez will pitch a two-inning simulated game Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rodriguez, who is expected to be Boston's Opening Day starter, has not yet been scheduled to start a Grapefruit League game. Nathan Eovaldi (Sunday) and Garrett Richards (Monday) will throw the first two games, and all of Boston's starters will throw two innings in their spring debuts.

Arihara is set to start the Rangers' third spring game Tuesday against the White Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Arihara, who is a likely member of the rotation, will follow Kyle Gibson, the presumptive Opening Day starter, for Monday's spring game. The right-handed Arihara had a 3.46 ERA over 132.2 innings in Japan last season.

Gibson will start Monday's spring game against San Francisco, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers kick off the Cactus League on Sunday when swingman Wes Benjamin starts. Gibson is the first established starter scheduled to throw, and he's the putative Opening Day starter for Texas.

Dunn entered camp 10 pounds lighter than last season, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Dunn made several improvements during the offseason, including an increased fastball velocity that he displayed during his first bullpen session Friday while striking out Kyle Seager, Evan White and J.P. Crawford. The right-hander also altered the grip on his changeup and shed some pounds. Manager Scott Servais said that his weight loss could help him "move down the mound better and hopefully improve his stuff." Dunn made 10 starts for the Mariners last year but isn't guaranteed a spot in the team's six-man rotation to begin the season.

Kluber tossed two innings of live batting practice Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The veteran hurler was tested in the session, facing the likes of Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu, Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres. Voit smashed a homer against Kluber, but that didn't stop manager Aaron Boone from feeling positive about the right-hander's session. "I feel really good about his progress," Boone said. "I thought he finished better than he started, and I think the stuff is overall pretty crisp. I'm encouraged where he's at." Kluber figures to slot in as the No. 2 starter for the Yankees this season.