MLB Player News

Cole has been throwing in the backyard of teammate Adam Ottavino, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Despite the suspension of spring training and shutdown of team facilities to most players, Cole appears intent on keeping in shape in anticipation of an eventual return to action. The Yankees' key offseason signing is expected to be the club's Opening Day starter when the regular season commences.

Morton was one of several Rays pitchers nearing the end of their spring throwing programs before play was suspended, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander had only made two Grapefruit League appearances (3.1 innings) before spring training was suspended, but he'd also worked in multiple simulated games while getting stretched out. Morton continues to work out as much as he can on his own while play is paused, and he projects to serve as one of the team's top three starters whenever the regular season does begin.

The White Sox optioned Dunning (elbow) to Double-A Birmingham on March 6.

Dunning is still on the mend from March 2019 Tommy John surgery, so he wasn't a legitimate candidate to break camp with the big club. Once he's deemed ready for game action, Dunning will likely make at least a couple starts at extended spring training or one of the White Sox's lower-level affiliates before making his 2020 debut with Birmingham.

Turnbull finished Grapefruit League play with a minuscule 0.82 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 11 innings of work.

Turnbull had a similarly strong spring a year ago, then went on to post a 4.61 ERA across 30 regular-season starts, though his 3.99 FIP suggests that he was victim to a little bad luck. The 27-year-old is locked in as Detroit's No. 2 starter and could take a big step forward in his second full season in the majors, whenever it is able to begin.

Glasnow is tabbed as a potential future ace of the Rays' staff by team beat writer Juan Toribio, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow was once considered the top prospect in the Pirates' organization, and his performance in an injury-shortened 2019 served as a tangible reminder of why. The towering right-hander posted a 1.78 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 76:14 K:BB across 12 starts and followed it up with a pair of scoreless appearances in Grapefruit League action this spring before play was suspended. Naturally, southpaw Blake Snell is also considered top-of-the-rotation material for the Rays, but Toribio notes Glasnow was arguably the AL's best pitcher over the first six weeks of last season and could ultimately be the team's most effective arm over the long term if he remains healthy.

Heaney has been working out at home in order to stay in baseball shape, but he has not thrown a bullpen session since spring training was suspended, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Heaney, who is slated to be the Angels' Opening Day starter, has been playing catch in the street with teammate Garrett Williams but is waiting for more information about the potential resumption of play before ramping up his routine. Per Bollinger, Angels pitchers are expected to receive further instruction regarding their throwing programs in a matter of days.

McKenzie will open the year at Double-A Akron.

The Indians were taking things slowly with him this spring, but with a shortened season, managing his workload will be pretty easy. He missed all of 2019 and part of 2018 while recovering from forearm and back strains. While he is already on the 40-man roster, McKenzie is unlikely to reach the majors until at least 2021.

Gilbert, who fired four scoreless innings across two Cactus League appearances before spring training was suspended, is considered a future ace of the Mariners' staff, Jesse Sanchez and Greg Johns of MLB.com report.

The 22-year-old performed like a seasoned veteran over his pair of Cactus League appearances this spring, an extension of the dominant form he displayed at three different stops during his 2019 minor-league debut. Gilbert was already at Double-A Arkansas by the end of last season, with his overall body of work earning him the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. Johns notes the right-hander's mid-90s fastball is complemented by an effective slider, curve and changeup, and that his 6-foot-6 frame leads to an unusually long stride toward the batter's box that makes his power pitch even more effective.

Luzardo, who generated a 1.08 ERA and 0.60 WHIP across three Cactus League starts before spring training was suspended, has the talent to ascend to the role of staff ace if he remains healthy, Jesse Sanchez and Martin Gallegos of MLB.com report.

The supremely talented southpaw's spring was highly encouraging, as it served as an extension of the dominance he exhibited during his first taste of the big leagues at the tail end of last season. Luzardo won't open the 2020 regular season as the official ace of the staff in terms of his rotation slotting, as he's projected to serve as the Athletics' No. 4 starter; however, Gallegos notes Luzardo's arsenal of five plus pitches supports the franchise's belief the 22-year-old could anchor the rotation for "the next decade or so."

Severino (elbow) is among a group of Yankees eligible to use the Yankees' facility in Tampa in the midst of Florida's stay-at-home declaration, George A. King III of the New York Post writes.

With Florida's stay-at-home order set to kick in at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, most players will no longer be allowed to gather at George M. Steinbrenner Field. However, the policy makes an exception for players undergoing rehab programs, meaning Severino will be able to continue to use the facility along with a short list of other players including Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (rib). Severino underwent Tommy John surgery in late February and is expected to miss the entire 2020 campaign.