MLB Player News

Canning (elbow) has been "ramping up intensity and volume," Jeff Fletcher of The Orange Country Register reports.

Canning was reported to have resumed throwing off a mound last week, and Angels general manager Billy Eppler confirmed that the right-hander has progressed to that stage in a text message Wednesday. With a potential Opening Day slated to take place no sooner than early July, Canning appears on track to claim a spot in the Angels' starting rotation to kick off the campaign.

Cease is looking to build off his first season in the majors and will introduce a tweak to his mechanics, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

Cease's MLB debut was a bumpy one, as he went 4-7 with a 5.79 ERA in 14 starts. "One of (the things I learned) was more a physical adjustment with my front side," Cease said. "Not getting too rotational on my front side, that's the main thing that's going to be different. I think that's one of the big reasons I was having cutting issues with my fastball." Cease, who permitted 4.3 BB/9 and 1.8 HR/9, hopes the mechanical adjustment will allow him to pitch deeper into games. While his overall numbers were not pretty, the right-hander finished on an up note, allowing seven runs over 21 innings (3.00 ERA) with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in his final four starts. He's expected to slot in as the fourth starter in the rotation.

Canning (elbow) has been cleared to start throwing bullpen sessions, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

In a post to his story on his personal Instagram page, Canning shared video of himself throwing in the bullpen at Angel Stadium on Tuesday. That suggests the right-hander has continued to progress in his recovery from the elbow discomfort that sidelined him in late February. The injury was originally expected to land Canning on the injured list to begin the season, but with MLB play still suspended, chances are high that he could be ready to pitch whenever play resumes.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Paxton (back) is expected to be fully recovered from his microscopic lumbar discectomy by "mid-May."

Paxton had already been making rapid progress during spring training after requiring the procedure in early February to remove a peridiscal cyst, and MLB's ongoing hiatus has only provided more time for him to heal up without having to miss any game action. After checking out fine following five bullpen sessions, Paxton was cleared to pitch a simulated game Monday, which likely marks one of the final checkpoints he'll need to clear in the recovery process. He should be a part of the Yankees' Opening Day rotation and face no workload restrictions whenever the season resumes.

Montgomery has worked on a "less-exaggerated angular delivery" as well as getting more extension on his changeup and putting reduced stress on his arm since returning from Tommy John surgery last season, Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com reports.

Montgomery was impressive in Grapefruit League action, posting a 16:1 K:BB over 11 innings. That helped him ascend to the No. 4 spot in the Yankees' rotation before play was suspended, though a possible return to health of James Paxton (back) by the start of the rescheduled regular season could push Montgomery back to a fifth-starter role. Still, a place anywhere in the team's rotation should be considered a noteworthy success given the fact that Montgomery hurled a mere 7.2 frames across all levels in 2019.

Keuchel may be better prepared for the pandemic-induced layoff than other starters, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

Keuchel, like every MLB starter, is coping with the layoff, but he was in the same position in 2019. A free agent at this time last year, Keuchel did not sign with the Braves until after June's amateur draft. The left-hander kept his arm in shape at home in Newport Beach (Calif.). "I was throwing every fifth day just like in spring training," he said. "Physically, I was so in shape that I was ready to go but until you get that major-league adrenaline and atmosphere out there, it's tough to duplicate." Keuchel, who is lining up to be the second starter behind Lucas Giolito, offers balance in the rotation as a lefty who doesn't overpower opponents with a high-velocity fastball.

Verlander said Thursday that he's doing "very well" in his recovery from groin surgery and a right lat strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Particularly this week, I've made a big stride forward," Verlander noted, regarding his progression through a throwing program.

Verlander appears to be more concerned about the health of his lat rather than his groin at this juncture, as he noted that he's not quite throwing long toss at 100 percent as a safeguard against re-injuring his lat. The fact that he's pleased with where he stands in his recovery at this stage can at least be taken as a positive sign, and the 37-year-old looks like he'll be on track to make regular starts for Houston whenever the MLB season resumes.

Wentz (elbow) is beginning his rehab from Tommy John surgery at the Tigers' spring training facility in Florida, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wentz underwent the procedure in mid-March, and he is now one of just three Detroit players currently still in Lakeland, joining Michael Fulmer (elbow) and Shao-Ching Chiang. The 22-year-old will of course ease into activity, but he should be able to continue his rehab work in relative isolation while MLB play is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Wentz will still likely be out until the second half of the 2021 season.

Paxton (back) recently completed his fifth bullpen session since resuming a throwing program in March, Brendan Kuty of NorthJersey.com reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided a positive update about Paxton on Thursday, indicating that he's "really encouraged" by the southpaw's progress and that the recovery process from February back surgery has "gone pretty smoothly." Paxton remains on track to be ready to pitch in games by late May or early June barring any setbacks.

Montgomery was lauded Wednesday by Yankees vice president of baseball operations Tim Naehring for his performance this spring, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

In an interview with Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network, Naehring mentioned that Montgomery's command and changeup in Grapefruit League play "stood out big-time." The southpaw compiled an eye-popping 16:1 K:BB over 11 innings this spring, though he did serve up four home runs and allow five earned runs. Montgomery is the favorite for the Yankees' fifth-starter role when the 2020 campaign gets underway.