MLB Player News

Rodriguez (illness) said he's taking the next week off from baseball activities but has not considered opting out of the 2020 season, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

The 27-year-old developed myocarditis -- an inflammation of the heart -- as a result of his battle with COVID-19, but he said Sunday that he "love[s] the sport too much" to consider opting out. Rodriguez will be restricted from any physical activity that's more strenuous than walking for the next week. The left-hander still hopes to pitch again in 2020, but it remains to be seen if/when that becomes medically realistic.

Snell is expected to throw two or three innings Sunday against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 27-year-old threw 47 pitches during his final intrasquad appearance last week, and it appears he'll begin the season with a similar workload. It's a significant hit to his Snell's fantasy value, as he's essentially operating as an opener and won't qualify for a potential win.

Glasnow will take it one inning at a time in Monday's home start against the Braves, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He threw three innings in his final exhibition start in camp and was just so-so, as he struck out five but walked four. It sounds like Glasnow could theoretically go five-plus innings if he's on, but it also wouldn't be surprising if he didn't go deep enough to qualify for a win in his first start of the season. He lines up for a two-step, with his second start of the week coming in Baltimore over the weekend.

Singer allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision against the Indians on Saturday.

The 23-year-old allowed a run to score on a wild pitch but had good command for the most part and induced 14 swinging strikes on 80 pitches. Singer impressed in spring training and summer camp to earn a spot in the Royals' starting rotation, and if this performance is any indication, he isn't going anywhere. Up next is a road start in Detroit before a two-step the week of Aug. 3 (@CHC, vs. MIN).

Clevinger allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Saturday. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

His season got off to a rough start, with Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez hitting back-to-back homers off Clevinger in the first inning. However, Clevinger settled in nicely and got through seven on 90 pitches, allowing just two hits the rest of the way. The right-hander now lines up for three consecutive road starts: at Minnesota, at Cincinnati, at the White Sox.

Bundy (1-0) struck out seven and earned the win Saturday, giving up just one run on three hits over 6.2 innings in a 4-1 victory over the A's.

Bundy retired the first eight batters he faced and looked impressive throughout the entire game, allowing two singles and a double before departing the game in the seventh inning. He had a 4.79 ERA in 2019, but he will undoubtedly try to build on this performance ahead of his next outing. He is tabbed for a home start against the Astros on July 31.

Manager Aaron Boone said Paxton's velocity was down throughout summer camp and remained there for Saturday's start against the Nationals, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports. The left-hander took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while recording one strikeout over one inning.

The 31-year-old's fastball velocity sat around 92 mph Saturday, about three mph slower than his velocity over the past three seasons. Paxton underwent back surgery in February and he's apparently still attempting to fully get comfortable in his delivery. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Boone said after Saturday's game, "I'm not alarmed, but I feel like physically he is sound. I think it's just a matter of really getting in his delivery and finding that click where he's really extending through the ball." Hopefully Paxton will return to form as he gets more time on the mound, but in a shortened season the clock is ticking on ironing out any kinks.

Walker (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. He struck out one and took the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

Walker wasn't particularly bad until the fourth inning. He gave up a solo home run to Yuli Gurriel and an RBI double to Kyle Tucker before Scott Servais pulled him from the game. Reliever Brandon Brennan allowed two inherited runners to be tacked onto Walker's line. It was an ugly start to Walker's second stint as a Mariner after three years with the Diamondbacks, two of which were mostly wiped out by Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old right-hander will search for his first win Friday at home against the Athletics.

Keuchel (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Twins after giving up two runs on three hits and zero walks over 5.1 innings. He recorded one strikeout.

The veteran southpaw was on cruise control through five innings, but he was removed at 73 pitches with runners on first and second with one out in the sixth inning. Nelson Cruz then clubbed a three-run homer on the second pitch from Steve Cishek. Still, it was a good first outing of the season for Keuchel, who has a solid matchup Friday at Kansas City for his next start.

McCullers (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings in Saturday's win over the Mariners.

McCullers made his first regular-season appearance since 2018, as he missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. His control wasn't at its best Saturday, but that's usually a given for the 26-year-old lefty with a career 1.27 WHIP. McCullers threw 55 of his 92 pitches for strikes, so it doesn't appear he'll have any workload limitations in 2020. Expect to see the southpaw on the mound for a road start versus the Angels on Friday.