MLB Player News

Cease allowed three runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over three-plus innings in Monday's spring game against the Reds.

Cease's third spring start was not like his first two. The same issues he had last season -- command, walks, one bad inning -- resurfaced for the first time this spring. He lost command during a two-run third inning when the right-hander walked three and hit a batter. Just 36 of his 64 pitches landed in the zone.

Skubal tossed 2.2 innings of one-run ball in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out three.

The promising lefty appeared in an earlier Grapefruit League game, though this was his first start. He held his own against a Houston lineup that featured regulars such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa. Skubal recorded an impressive 179 strikeouts across 122.2 innings in the minors last season, and he could find himself making his MLB debut later this year if he pitches well in the upper levels of the minors.

Snell felt great following his outing Monday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell wasn't at all happy with his performance, which included four walks and four earned runs and just a single out. The important thing, though, is that he felt no pain in his elbow following the game. Assuming that remains the case for the rest of spring, Snell should be fine for Opening Day.

Verlander (lat) said Monday that it would "probably take a miracle" for him to be ready to return by Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander was pulled from his start Sunday against the Mets with an injury which was originally referred to as right triceps soreness but is now being called a mild lat strain. He's been shut down from throwing for an undetermined period, though both he and the Astros have expressed some optimism that he avoided a particularly serious injury. Verlander has only thrown 4.2 innings this spring, so he'll need to complete his spring buildup once he's cleared to throw again.

Verlander was shut down Monday after being diagnosed with a mild lat strain, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Despite reportedly feeling better Monday, Verlander underwent an MRI that revealed the strain. The Astros will elect to shut him down as a result, but it's unclear how long he'll be on the shelf. General manager James Click called the MRI results "positive," but he wasn't able to reveal a timeline for Verlander's return. It's unclear whether the right-hander will be ready for Opening Day.

Clevinger (knee) will throw his first bullpen session of the spring Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Clevinger underwent surgery in February to repair a partial tear of his left meniscus, but he's been increasing his throwing program throughout the spring and will throw his first bullpen Monday. The 29-year-old likely won't be ready for Opening Day, but he could join the Indians' starting rotation sometime in mid-April if his recovery continues to go smoothly.

Medina was optioned to High-A Tampa on Monday.

Medina reached High-A late last season, making just two starts. In 22 total starts between Tampa and Low-A Charleston last season, the 20-year-old struggled to a 5.47 ERA, with his encouraging 27.0 percent strikeout rate largely offset by his 14.9 percent walk rate. Like many young pitchers, he'll need to make strides with his command to allow his exciting stuff to play up to its potential.

Gil was optioned to High-A Tampa on Monday.

Gil was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, which allowed him to work in major-league camp during spring training. However, he'll report to High-A Tampa after making his debut at the High-A level last season. The 21-year-old could potentially advance in the minor-league system in 2020, but he'll require more work against higher-level competition before being considered for a major-league roster spot.

Verlander is feeling better Monday but is still awaiting the results of his triceps MRI, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Verlander left his start Sunday against the Mets after just two of his scheduled four innings due to right triceps soreness. The Astros called his removal precautionary, and the fact that he's feeling better is certainly encouraging, but it won't be clear whether he's set for a lengthy absence until his MRI results are known.

Paxton (back) may be cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Paxton's recovery from Feb. 5 surgery to remove a peridiscal cyst from his back looks to be coming along quicker than anticipated. Though Paxton was initially handed a 3-to-4-month recovery timeline, the fact that the lefty is on the brink of throwing just over a month into his rehab program offers hope that he could meet his goal of being ready to pitch in games by early May. Paxton will still have multiple checkpoints to clear before he's even deemed ready to make a minor-league rehab start, but his progression to date has been encouraging.