MLB Player News

Kaprielian suffered a setback with his previously injured shoulder and will be behind the other pitchers to start spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's unclear how the setback was incurred, but the oft-injured righty will start 2019 off on the wrong note nonetheless. This adds another poor chapter to his unfortunate professional career, as Kaprielian hasn't thrown in a game since 2016. No word has come forth as to when Kaprielian will get back on track with the other pitchers, though more information will likely come forth once he's able to progress further in his rehab program. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle also reports that Kaprielian will get an MRI on his shoulder to identify any potential issues, so more might be known after those results are disclosed.

Verlander and the Astros are open to discussing a contract extension, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander is entering the final year of his contract -- he made voiding a 2020 club option a condition of accepting a trade to Houston in August 2017 -- and the soon-to-be 36-year-old remains one of the best starters in the game. "We love Justin Verlander, and we traded for him for a reason, and he clearly has not declined at all. He continues to be one of the elite pitchers in the game," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Of course we would have interest in keeping him around here as long as we possibly can." The right-hander finished second in the AL Cy Young voting in 2018, after going 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA, an MLB-best 0.90 WHIP and an AL-leading 290 strikeouts.

Nicolino signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training.

After being waived by the Marlins last March, Nicolino was scooped up by the Reds and spent the entire 2018 campaign with Triple-A Louisville. The left-hander made 24 starts (and one relief appearance) for the Bats, posting a 4.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 5.8 K/9 across 134.1 innings. The 27-year-old Nicolino owns a lackluster 4.65 ERA and 3.8 K/9 across parts of three major-league seasons (201.1 innings), so he seems unlikely to make an impact in the majors in 2019.

Bridwell went unclaimed off waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bridwell will stick in the organization and join the Athletics in spring training as a non-roster invitee after the team handed his 40-man spot to starting pitcher Marco Estrada. It's expected that Bridwell will be included in the Las Vegas rotation to begin the 2019 campaign.

Kopech (elbow) threw Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kopech underwent the procedure in September after making just four starts in his rookie season. It's certainly a positive that he's already resumed throwing, but there's no expectation that he'll be back in game action at any point this season, given that recovery from the surgery typically takes over 12 months.

Hammel signed a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training with the Rangers on Friday.

Hammel spent the last two seasons in Kansas City but the Royals declined his option in October, making him a free agent. The 36-year-old struggled with a 5.59 ERA and 1.51 WHIP for the Royals, allowing 44 home runs over 307.1 innings. The veteran right-hander will undoubtedly be looking for a bounce-back season if he can manage to crack the Opening Day roster.

Miley is expected to claim the fourth spot in Houston's starting rotation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Miley's careening career may have been salvaged in 2018, when he threw his cutter more than any other pitch. His pitch mix helped fuel a career-best 2.57 ERA over 80.2 innings with the Brewers. While it's prudent for fantasy owners to be circumspect of the left-hander's sudden break from empirical evidence, his success in 2018 appears to be more than just a fluke occurrence. Opponents will make adjustments, so we're hesitant to conclude Miley will replicate last season's production, but he may be useful pitching in front of a high-octane Astros offense, which finished sixth in runs scored last year.

Miley signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Astros on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Miley is coming off a surprise 2018 campaign that saw him post a 2.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 16 starts (80.2 innings) with the Brewers. The veteran southpaw figures to slide into the back end of Houston's starting rotation. The ERA estimators -- 3.59 FIP, 4.30 xFIP -- suggest it would be unwise to expect a repeat campaign from Miley in 2019.

Houck had his pitch mix adjusted midseason in 2018 and had better results following the change, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Houck, 22, came out of Missouri with a two-seam fastball-slider mix, but the Red Sox had him focus on throwing four-seamers to start 2018. Things didn't go so well -- he had a 6.16 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over his first 11 starts -- and the right-hander returned to throwing the two-seamer as his main pitch. That led to a 2.86 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his final 12 starts at High-A Salem. It looks like the organization found the right pitch mix for Houck. "He went back to primarily a two-seam fastball with the knuckle-curve, elevating the four-seamer, sinking the changeup. And I think for now, that's a really good mix for him with everything we've seen from him and as he continues his journey through the minor leagues," vice president of pitching development Brian Bannister told Smith.

Baxendale signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Monday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Baxendale is back with the Twins after spending the entire 2018 campaign with Triple-A Rochester, posting a 3.74 ERA and 61:19 K:BB across 67.1 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander figures to serve as organizational pitching depth for Minnesota.