MLB Player News

Walker will pitch in an intersquad game Wednesday rather than pitching against the Angels in the Cactus League, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Walker was expected to make his Cactus League debut this week, but the Mariners will instead opt to use him in their intersquad game Wednesday. The right-hander has thrown several times already during spring training, and it appears as though he could win a spot in the major-league rotation to begin the regular season.

Eovaldi allowed one hit and struck out four over three scoreless innings in Sunday's spring game against the Braves.

For the second straight start, Eovaldi was pinpoint with his command. He's allowed three hits and no walks while striking out eight over his two spring starts (five innings). It's an encouraging sign out of the right-hander, from whom the Red Sox are expecting a bounceback year. An elbow injury limited him to 67.2 innings in 2019. They envision Eovaldi taking the ball every fifth day. Other than 2014 with the Marlins, when Eovaldi threw 199.2 innings, he hasn't sniffed the 200-inning mark, so expectations are high.

Kluber allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings in Sunday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Kluber ran into immediate trouble, loading the bases with none out in the first inning before escaping with just one run. The veteran right-hander made his spring debut, threw all of his pitches, and eventually found his command over the final two innings. Catcher Jeff Mathis gave manager Chris Woodward a positive review. "I was talking to Math and he was like, 'balls were moving all over the place -- back-door sinker, front-door sinker, front-door cutter,'" Woodward told Dave Sessions of MLB.com. "Balls were moving all over the place and he was commanding it." Kluber did allow a home run, but that was the lone bit of hard contact off him.

Gonzales started Saturday's Cactus League loss to the Royals, firing three scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts.

The young left-hander raised some eyebrows in his first start of the spring Monday when he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning versus the Cubs. However, Gonzales turned in a polar-opposite effort Saturday. Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Gonzales credited a "better pregame routine" with helping him turn things around against Kansas City, as well as a focus on making his delivery more compact. He'll look to build on his momentum in his next spring turn, which is likely to come toward the end of the week.

Chirinos allowed five earned runs on six hits and a walk across two innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Braves on Saturday. He struck out one.

Chirinos' second Grapefruit League start was in sharp contrast to his first -- a one-inning, three-strikeout effort versus the Red Sox on Monday. The right-hander got into trouble early versus Atlanta and was ultimately tagged for a two-run double and a solo home run by Adam Duvall and Pete O'Brien, respectively. Chirinos has earned rave reviews for his offseason weight loss, but he'll have to bounce back with a better performance in his next spring start to remain in the conversation for a spot in the starting rotation.

Bundy pitched two perfect innings against San Francisco on Saturday, striking out three.

Bundy followed a scoreless debut with another strong performance in Saturday's win. The veteran has combined for seven strikeouts in four innings in Cactus League play while allowing only one baserunner (via a walk). He figures to be a solid source of strikeouts this season and could emerge as a fantasy sleeper now that he's pitching in a less hitter-friendly ballpark and has a solid defense behind him.

Giolito (chest) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have brought Giolito along at a measured pace but never expressed doubt he'd be ready for Opening Day. Manager Rick Renteria didn't offer a date for when Giolito will face batters in game action, but he acknowledged that it won't be too much longer, perhaps as early as this week.

McCullers felt great after facing three batters in his first start since August of 2018, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers allowed one hit before striking out Paul Goldschmidt during the first inning of Sunday's 5-4 win against the Cardinals. The 26-year-old was sitting at 16 pitches after striking out Goldschmidt in the first inning and manager Dusty Baker didn't want to push it. McCullers sat out all of last season after having Tommy John surgery in November 2018. The 2017 All-Star is preparing to fill the No. 3 spot in a Houston starting rotation that is headlined by former Cy Young winners Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke.

Turbull pitched three scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He allowed one hit and struck out three.

Turnbull has now pitched five innings this spring without allowing a run, and he's struck out seven batters. The 27-year-old had a 3.99 FIP in 2019, suggesting he could improve upon the 4.61 ERA he posted. He should slot in as the Tigers' No. 2 starter behind Matthew Boyd.

Sale (illness) completed a 15-pitch live batting practice session Sunday and is scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The veteran left-hander is expected to throw 15 pitches per inning during the simulated game, and he could progress to a Grapefruit League game March 10 if all goes well. Sale has already been ruled out for Opening Day and is likely to begin the season on the injured list, so the Red Sox are likely to continue exercising caution as Sale builds up to a starter's workload after dealing with pneumonia in early February.