MLB Player News

Chirinos (undisclosed) was spotted on the field Sunday for the first time since the start of summer camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He had been away for the first couple weeks of summer camp. It is unclear how built-up Chirinos is from a workload standpoint. He should eventually slot into the Rays' rotation, but he may not be ready for what would have been his first couple turns. Trevor Richards is stretched out enough to handle five innings, if needed.

Bielak and Framber Valdez are competing for the final spot in the rotation, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Bielak, who has been used mostly as a starter in the minor leagues, was originally thought of as being a possible bullpen member, but he has become a candidate to replace Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) in the rotation. The 24-year-old Bielak, a righty who has no MLB experience, started Saturday's intrasquad game against Valdez. He allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings in a 73-pitch effort.

Valdez and Brandon Bielak are competing for the last spot in the Astros' rotation, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

With Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) not in camp, there's room in the rotation for either Valdez or Bielak. The duo squared off in Saturday's intrasquad game, the final chance either had to submit evidence in the quest to be the No. 5 starter. Valdez allowed a three-run, first-inning home run to Michael Brantley but lasted five innings. He walked one and struck out six in a 74-pitch outing. "He still has some things to learn, but he's a whole lot better than I heard he was in the past, as far as his concentration, as far as his tempo in the game," said manager Dusty Baker, referring to Valdez's penchant for a lack of focus and letting innings get away from him. Baker also noted he'd be speaking with Valdez about missing "three or four signs" during the outing.

Giolito allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in Saturday's intrasquad game, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This was Giolito's final appearance in summer camp before he's expected to start Opening Day, July 24, against the Twins. White Sox manager Rick Renteria has not made it official that Giolito will start the opener, but it would be a shock if he doesn't.

Heaney didn't pitch during Saturday's intrasquad game as scheduled after waking up with some back stiffness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander still completed a bullpen session, so the issue doesn't appear to be overly concerning. Heaney is set to start Opening Day against the Athletics on Friday, and there's been no indication his availability for that contest is in jeopardy.

German (suspension) will not be retiring, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

German announced in a somewhat cryptic Instagram post Friday that he was stepping away from baseball. He's since deleted that post and provided another one, in which he apologized for the "unsettling post," explaining that he let his emotions get the best of him after being forced to watch his teammates get ready for the season from afar. German will miss the entirety of the season as well as the first three games of next year while serving a domestic-violence suspension.

Teheran (undisclosed) was cleared to work out Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Teheran was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons in early July. While it's undoubtedly a positive that he's now able to join his teammates, his late arrival to camp could impact his ability to handle a starter's workload early in the season.

Luzardo won't start any of Oakland's first five games, John Hickey of SI.com reports.

Luzardo seemed to be trending towards opening in the pen for the past few days, as a positive COVID-19 test had prevented him from reporting to camp until Friday. He was able to throw 30 pitches in his first bullpen session, though that's still not close to a starter's workload, so he'll work in relief for now. The Athletics will almost certainly want him to start at some point this season, but it's not yet clear when he'll get the opportunity to do so.

Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Montas will be the Athletics' Opening Day starter, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com

Melvin raved about Montas' three-inning outing in a simulated game Monday, and the right-hander was officially named the starter for the team's season opener against the Angels on July 24. The 27-year-old was suspended for 80 games last season but posted a career-best 2.63 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 96 innings across 16 starts and impressed in three Cactus League outings this spring.

The Yankees do not believe that German (suspension) is retiring, as his since-deleted Instagram post suggested he intended to do Friday, Bob Klapisch of The New York Times reports.

German still has 63 games remaining on his 81-game domestic violence suspension, meaning he'll miss the entirety of this year as well as the first three games of the 2021 season. Whether or not he remains a major-league player at that point remains to be seen.