MLB Player News

Heaney will start opposite Shohei Ohtani in Tuesday's intrasquad game and is expected to throw four innings, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

He has already been announced as the Angels' Opening Day starter, and it's encouraging that he is already ready to log four innings in what could be the first of three exhibition starts before the regular season gets underway.

Manager Aaron Boone was effusive in his praise for Schmidt on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "His pitch repertoire is excellent. His athleticism on the mound allows him to have a real clean delivery. There's an absolute presence to him, like he believes he belongs here," Boone said.

It's not unusual for a manager to praise a top prospect, but it's nonetheless comforting to know that Boone is a big fan of Schmidt. Masahiro Tanaka (concussion) may miss the start of the season, so it's conceivable Schmidt could see MLB action early and often, although Jonathan Loaisiga seems like the leading candidate to fill the fifth starter's spot if Tanaka opens the year on the injured list. Schmidt has three plus pitches and is set to start Monday night's intrasquad game opposite J.A. Happ.

Lyles threw 3.1 innings in an intrasquad game Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The good news is that Lyles is healthy, he's ramping up and his swing-and-miss stuff is intact. He is a shoo-in for a spot in the Rangers' rotation and will continue to increase his workload every fifth day in summer camp.

Cobb threw four innings of live batting practice Monday at Oriole Park, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Cobb and Wade LeBlanc each threw four innings as they ramp up their workloads in this controlled environment. The 32-year-old righty has a locked in spot in Baltimore's rotation. He is coming off a lost 2019 season where he only made three MLB starts due to back and hip issues.

Gibson threw five innings and 59 pitches in an intra-squad game Sunday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Gibson is back to full strength after a 2019 campaign during which he dealt with a season-long battle with ulcerative colitis. Although he made 29 starts and five relief appearances for the Twins last season, the right-hander struggled with his strength and energy, consequently focusing on both areas during the winter. The condition presents a higher level of risk for Gibson should he contract COVID-19, but the right-hander is determined to pitch in 2020.

Whitley is part of the Astros' player pool working out at the alternate camp on the campus of the University of Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Whitley, the team's top prospect, is expected to stay at the University of Houston through July 24 before heading to Corpus Christi when the regular season begins.

Giolito will pitch a simulated game Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox clarified an earlier statement that said Giolito, their projected Opening Day starter, would throw Sunday.

Rodon (elbow) threw three innings and 45 pitches during a live batting practice session Sunday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Rodon, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May, described himself as close to 100 percent following the session. He threw all of his pitches, including a fastball he termed "electric." Rodon is next scheduled to pitch in an intra-squad game Friday. The left-hander should be ready to hurl for the White Sox during the 2020 season, but he may not have a spot in the rotation right away. The White Sox currently have five healthy starters, so Rodon may have to bounce between the rotation and bullpen.

Luzardo has yet to report to the Athletics' summer camp due to "pending issues" according to manager Bob Melvin, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The young southpaw comes into 2020 with significant expectations, so his early absence from summer camp, which began Saturday for the Athletics, is especially noteworthy. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the other member of the team's rotation currently missing from camp, Mike Fiers, worked out frequently with Luzardo in South Florida throughout the shutdown. Melvin did not provide any further details to reporters about either player, and he confirmed that Luzardo's issues, whatever they might be, do not affect the team's early-season rotation plans "at this point" while allowing that could change should the situation linger "a little bit longer."

Canning said his right elbow "feels like normal" and has built up to 60 pitches, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Canning received a PRP injection in the troublesome elbow in March and was able to take his time resuming a throwing program due to the suspension of play. The right-hander returned to the mound in May and has been able to throw without a setback since, most recently tossing a three-inning session of live batting practice Friday. That puts Canning roughly on par with the rest of the Angels' starters, lending credence to the belief that he will be able to open the campaign with a spot in the rotation.