MLB Player News

Dunn started Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Reds, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk over two innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander, who logged the first four starts of his major-league career at the tail end of 2019, was sharp in his first taste of game action this spring. Per Greg Johns of MLB.com, Dunn consistently hit between 94 mph and 96 mph with his fastball, which helped him to his pair of whiffs, including one of Joey Votto. Dunn made an impression on both the Reds -- which got to him for two earned runs on five walks over two-thirds of an inning in his first big-league turn Sept. 12 -- and manager Scott Servais, who saw the mechanical and mental adjustments Dunn made over the offseason pay immediate dividends. "I was really impressed with Justin today," manager Scott Servais said. "Just his whole demeanor, attacking with his fastball early in the ballgame was great to see. He feels good about where he's at right now."

Snell started Wednesday's Grapefruit League loss to the Twins, firing a perfect first inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

The southpaw threw 21 pitches overall, 15 of which found the strike zone. As per Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Snell utilized all four of his pitches but expressed frustration after the game that he didn't throw a slider against a right-handed hitter, which is an area he's stated he'd like to focus on this spring. Snell made several changes this offseason that appear to be paying early dividends, hiring a personal chef to improve his diet, getting additional rest, and arriving in St. Petersburg almost a month earlier than usual to prepare for the season.

Severino's Tommy John surgery went as expected Thursday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The team also announced that Severino had an existing bone chip removed from his elbow during the surgery. While this is good news for the right-hander, he won't be available for the 2020 campaign and likely a portion of the 2021 season.

JC Ramirez is being stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Maddon wants Ramirez to be available as both a starting pitcher or reliever once the season arrives. The 31-year-old started eight games for Triple-A Salt Lake in 2019, posting a 6.59 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 26 strikeouts across 41 innings. With teammate Griffin Canning heading for an MRI on Friday, it is possible that Ramirez could tackle a few starts earlier in the season while the Angels wait for their ace Shohei Ohtani to return to the mound around mid-May.

Paxton "feels good" thus far about his recovery from back surgery, Sweeny Murti of Sports Radio 66 WFAN reports.

News of Paxton's progress comes at a good time for the Yankees following the loss of Luis Severino to season-ending elbow surgery. While Paxton is expected to miss about a month at the start of the regular season, he could begin throwing as early as next week.

Manager Dusty Baker said Verlander (groin) will start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander was originally scheduled to take the mound Thursday vs. the Nationals but was scratched due to groin discomfort. The veteran right-hander was still able to complete a simulated game Thursday and stated afterwards that it went about as good as he could have hoped, putting him on track to rejoin the rotation early next week.

Verlander (groin) threw a successful simulated game Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander was scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start against the Nationals on Thursday due to groin discomfort, but he was still able to complete a simulated outing and said afterwards that it went about as good as he could have hoped. Assuming the veteran right-hander checks out OK in the coming days, Verlander should slot back into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule sometime next week, which will give him plenty of time to get up to speed before the start of the season.

McCullers is scheduled to start Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

As expected, McCullers is on track to make his Grapefruit League debut over the weekend after tossing his first bullpen session of the spring earlier in the week. The right-hander, who missed all of the 2019 season while on the mend following Tommy John surgery, is competing for the No. 3 spot in Houston's rotation.

Canning is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right elbow Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Canning apparently felt something during his spring debut Wednesday, during which he allowed just one walk across two scoreless innings. While the severity of the issue won't be known until after his test results are disclosed, any setback could have an effect on his status for the start of the 2020 season. It's worth noting that Canning''s 2019 season prematurely ended due to a bout of right elbow inflammation.

Giolito (chest) completed his third bullpen session of the spring Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Giolito came out of the workout feeling positive about his health and said he expects his next throwing session to be a live batting practice session. If Giolito experiences no issues while facing hitters, he could advance to pitching in a simulated game or Cactus League game, likely at some point during the upcoming week. Coming off a breakout 2019 campaign, Giolito still looks like he'll have enough time to prove his health this spring and keep himself in line for the White Sox's Opening Day starting assignment.