MLB Player News

Carrasco covered 4.2 innings Friday in the Indians' 5-2 exhibition loss to the Rangers, surrendering three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out six.

Making his second start of the spring, Carrasco breezed through three scoreless innings before meeting some resistance in the fourth. Carrasco allowed four hits in a five-batter stretch during that inning, but was at least able to regroup and retire the final three hitters he faced on the day. He'll make one or two more starts this spring before likely slotting in as the Tribe's No. 3 starter when the regular season arrives.

Sale struck out seven batters while allowing just two hits in four scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Braves.

Sale's fastball velocity was hovering around 92 mph, nearly three ticks below his 94.7 mph average from last season, but Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports that the Red Sox aren't concerned about that, as they instructed the lefty to take it easy in his first start of the spring. The velocity could be worth watching if the dip continues into the start of the season, especially for a player whose second half was marred by shoulder problems. For now, it's undoubtedly reassuring to see Sale back on a mound and having success, though his fantasy ceiling may not be fully realized early on during the season. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported Saturday that the Red Sox want to keep Sale under 100 pitches in his initial starts.

Hammel said he will not go to the minors if he doesn't make the Rangers' roster, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "I certainly won't go to Triple-A," Hammel said after firing four scoreless innings Friday. "This is a grind. If it requires me to go home, I know my family is waiting for me and has been for a while. I'm more than willing to go home and spend time with them."

Hammel's allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 8.2 Cactus League innings. The Rangers already have a projected rotation, so Hammel could stick around as a long reliever/spot starter, and he could be the first option should one of the three starters coming back from Tommy John surgery falter.

Whitley walked two and struck out four over four hitless innings Friday against the Cardinals.

Whitley was sent to minor-league camp earlier this week but did not let that disappointment impact Friday's start. With just 10 starts at the Double-A level, Whitley will head back to the minors this season to build up innings.

Giolito allowed four runs on six hits -- including two home runs -- and two walks while striking out seven over five innings against the Cubs on Friday.

Giolito has a 6.91 ERA in the Cactus League, mirroring his body of work in 2018, but the right-hander accentuated the positive after another lackluster outing. He told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he's happy with the state of his curveball. "The feel for my curve is 10 times better," Giolito said after an 82-pitch effort. "So I'm confident going into every game I'll be able throw that pitch for strikes and will be able to get on top of it and throw it in the dirt to get chases as well. Whereas last year I wouldn't really know going into games what my curve would be doing." Giolito feels his stuff is better, but the results have been the same: a lot of traffic on the basepaths leading to runs allowed.

Kopech (elbow) has increased his throwing distance to 75 feet, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech continues to make steady progress in his return from Tommy John surgery, though he's still not expected to return at any point this year. He underwent the procedure in September, which should give him time to be ready to take part in spring training of 2020.

Severino (shoulder) won't be ready to pitch in MLB games until May 1 at the earliest, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The flame-throwing righty received a cortisone shot in his inflamed right rotator cuff last week and said he was no longer feeling pain when lifting his arm. However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters Friday that Severino will be sidelined for at least the month of April, so it's confirmed the club will have to roll without its ace for the start of the season. Severino is in the midst of a two-week rest period before he'll start a throwing program as he works his way back into action.

Rodriguez allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over five innings.

Rodriguez had one bad inning and was sharp in the four others. The left-hander ran his pitch count to 76 and will have two more starts to prepare for the regular season.

Kikuchi fired five strong innings in an intrasquad game Wednesday afternoon, his final tune-up prior to a scheduled start in the second game of the regular season on March 21, Greg Johns of MLB.com repors.

Kikuchi battled strong gusts of wind that reached up to 30 mph, but he still managed to get quality work in after seeing his regularly scheduled Cactus League turn postponed by rain Tuesday. Kikuchi will ironically kick off his major-league regular-season career in his native Japan, where he'd spent the entirety of his professional career prior to signing with the Mariners this offseason.

Gonzales allowed four earned runs on five hits and three walks across 2.2 innings in an 8-4 Cactus League win over the Giants on Wednesday. He struck out five.

It was a mixed bag of a performance for the young lefty in his final tune-up prior to an Opening Day start March 20 against the Athletics in Tokyo. Greg Johns of MLB.com reports that Gonzales was unconcerned with his uncharacteristic control problems during the outing, with the pitcher noting he's still working on his timing. Gonzales becomes the first Mariners hurler not named Felix Hernandez to open a regular season since 2006.