MLB Player News

Berrios threw around 45 pitches over three simulated innings Friday and reached 95-96 mph with his fastball in the first inning, MLB.com reports.

Berrios spent the pandemic shutdown throwing a bullpen session every Tuesday and faced hitters Fridays, the report adds. It sounds like Berrios is in top shape and should be ready for the start of the season. A short season could benefit Berrios, as he's made two consecutive All-Star teams, but he faded in the second half the past two years. Berrios had a 3.00 ERA before last year's All-Star break, and 4.64 ERA in the second half.

Urquidy has yet to report to camp with the Astros for undisclosed reasons, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

If Urquidy's absence is coronavirus-related, the Astros wouldn't legally be allowed to say. Manager Dusty Baker said simply that the righty "has a condition preventing him from reporting to the field." Whether or not he'll be able to report in time to take his presumed place in the Astros' Opening Day rotation remains to be seen.

Manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Teheran is not yet at camp for an undisclosed reason, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Teheran signed a one-year contract with the Angels during the offseason, but he hasn't reported to camp yet as baseball activities resume. Maddon didn't disclose why the 29-year-old wasn't yet at camp, and it's unclear when he could report.

Kikuchi, who maintained a heavy throwing workload during the three-month-plus shutdown, appeared to be the best-conditioned pitcher during the first day of summer camp Friday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "He looked just like he did when he left spring training," said manager Scott Servais, who watched a bullpen earlier this week. "He's probably a little further ahead. The volume of throwing he does is probably a little bit more than other guys."

The 29-year-old Japanese import came into spring training with plenty to prove after a rough first season stateside, and he appeared to be on solid footing when spring training was suspended. Kikuchi's work ethic during the time off may allow him to be an exception to the general rule Servais is likely to have for his pitchers to open the regular season, namely, a workload of approximately four innings or 70 pitches.

Gonzales threw 40-50 pitches in the bullpen during the Mariners' first day of summer camp Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The projected Opening Day starter was excited to get back to throwing off a dirt mound for the first time in months, and his arm seemed to be in good condition after he regularly worked off turf during the shutdown. Gonzales had progressed up to 60 pitches in his final Cactus League start back in March, and given the workload he tolerated during his first day of summer camp, he should be able to handle a pitch count close to normal by the time the regular season arrives.

Farrell spent the shutdown working primarily on his curveball, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Farrell used the hook on day one of summer camp, striking out both Willie Calhoun and Danny Santana on full counts during a simulated game. The right-hander had a strong spring training and is likely to earn a roster spot as a middle reliever and potential opener if needed.

McCullers will throw live batting practice Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers, who missed all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, will simulate three innings of work. The right-hander said he's in a good place, both mentally and physically, and hopes to get his pitch count up to 80 or 90 pitches by the end of summer camp. McCullers is expected to fill some of the void created when Gerrit Cole signed as a free agent with the Yankees.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said he has no timeline for Kopech's return from a personal matter, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

To alleviate any concern, the general manager stressed that Kopech, who was finishing his recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery during spring training, is now healthy. ''I do not have a timeline for his return, and given the personal nature of the matter he's tending to, I won't provide updates until we know the actual plan for Michael going forward,'' Hahn said. Van Schouwen added that the absence has the look of something that could keep Kopech away for a while.

Hill (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Hill underwent elbow surgery back in October, but the delayed season has bought him the time he needs to recover. He's considered fully healthy, though just what kind of workload he's able to handle early on remains to be seen. His performances on a per-inning basis should be quite strong, however, as he cruised to a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts for the Dodgers last season.

Canning (elbow) is throwing live batting practice Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 24-year-old began facing batters in May and continues to ramp up toward the start of the season. Canning was shut down with elbow issues in early March and received a series a biological injections, but he's been progressing nicely in his recovery and manager Joe Maddon recent said that he was very hopeful the right-hander would be healthy by Opening Day. Regardless of his short-term availability, the "chronic changes" to his UCL uncovered by a late February MRI could be a problem down the road.