MLB Player News

Whitley (arm) has yet to arrive at spring training, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley is currently in West Palm Beach, but he hasn't yet reported to camp for an unspecified reason. Manager Dusty Baker said that his late arrival isn't related to the arm issue that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season, but it's not yet clear when he'll join the team. If he's fully healthy, Whitley could make his major-league debut at some point in 2021.

Gibson is the likely Opening Day starter for Texas, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gibson is an unlikely No. 1 starter, particularly after posting a 5.35 ERA in 2020. He's never thrown more than 200 innings in any season and averaged 173 innings over six seasons as a full-time starter for the Twins.

Greinke is not yet at spring training but is expected to join camp by the mandatory report date, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke did the same thing last year, arriving at camp 10 days after other pitchers reported. MLB's mandatory report date this season is Feb. 27. Greinke lives in the Orlando area and will work out there -- last year, he worked out at Rollins College -- until then.

Kluber stated Friday that he has had no setbacks with his right shoulder and that he is on a normal preparation schedule at this point in the spring, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Kluber pitched only one inning last season due to a Grade 2 tear of the teres minor muscle in his right shoulder, but he indicated that he doesn't feel as if he is still rehabbing the shoulder. "I've had no issues with it now or anywhere along the rehab process," Kluber said. "That's encouraging. Honestly, I don't feel like I'm still working on improving the shoulder or anything like that. I think it's in a spot where, like any part of your body, it takes maintenance throughout the year. But I'm not putting any more emphasis on that than I am anything else at this point." The Yankees are counting on Kluber to fill a spot near the top of their rotation, though there are legitimate questions about his arsenal now that he's a few months away from turning 35. In addition, the 2017 AL Cy Young Award winner has hurled only 36.2 frames over the past two seasons and was already experiencing a drop in velocity during his last healthy season (2018).

Teheran signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday that includes an invite to spring training, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Teheran held a showcase in January, but he ended up having to settle for a minor-league deal. His contract with Detroit will earn him $3 million if he makes the big-league roster, however. The right-hander made 10 appearances (nine starts) for the Angels last season, posting a 10.05 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 31.1 innings.

Montas landed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The news is not unexpected after reports emerged Wednesday that Montas tested positive for the virus. A timeline for his arrival in camp has not yet been provided, so it's possible his buildup winds up being delayed enough that he's not at full strength by Opening Day. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Athletics to add new signee Yusmeiro Petit.

Cobb visited Driveline Baseball over the offseason and worked on some mechanical changes, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels need the 33-year-old to be something other than he's been thus far in his 30s, as he's struggled to a 5.10 ERA over the last three seasons. Driveline has a deserved reputation for making pitchers suddenly more productive, though a trip there doesn't guarantee anyone's problems will be instantly solved. The report perhaps makes Cobb more interesting than most pitchers his age with his recent track record, but he'll have to demonstrate a new level of performance on the field before he becomes a truly compelling fantasy option.

Rodriguez threw a bullpen session Wednesday and came out of it feeling 100 percent, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez missed all of last season after developing myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, as a result of his battle with COVID-19. The issue made it unsafe for him to exercise, so he has plenty of work to do to get back into baseball shape this spring. He'll presumably be brought along slowly, but it looks as though everything is going as planned so far.

Wentz (elbow) will play catch off a mound Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It's a significant step for the 23-year-old as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. Wentz could return to game action over the summer if all goes well in his recovery over the upcoming months.

Cease has worked with White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz to correct mechanical flaws in his lower body, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cease threw a side session Thursday under the watchful eye of catcher Yasmani Grandal, who liked what he saw. "If we get him to where we see him going, this guy could be a Cy Young finalist," Grandal said. "He could possibly be a Cy Young winner. He's got the tools to do it, there's no doubt on that." The right-hander pitched to a 4.01 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 34 walks over 58.1 innings in 2020. Cease is expected to claim a spot at the back end of the rotation to start the season.