MLB Player News

Gray (1-0) struggled with his control at times in Wednesday's season debut against the White Sox, walking four batters, but he allowed just three hits and one run while striking out five en route to a 2-1 win.

Oakland's ace missed out on the first two games of the season thanks to the flu, but was mostly over it in this one even if he had some trouble throwing strikes. After last year's campaign was cut short by a late-season hip injury that also served to derail an otherwise excellent stat line, it's important for Gray to get off to a strong start and show he's healthy in 2016. At age 26, it's arguable that he still hasn't reached his ceiling.

Gibson (0-1) put a dozen men on base -- seven hits and five walks -- in five innings Wednesday, ultimately allowing four runs in a loss to the Orioles.

Frankly, he's fortunate to have avoided more damage, as Gibson was unable to work a single clean inning, but escaped without allowing any of Baltimore's rallies to turn into crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Even so, there's no positive way to spin this outing, which is a disappointing start to the regular season after a strong spring. Gibson's pitch-to-contact, high-WHIP tendencies make him a low-end fantasy starter.

Miley threw six innings, allowing five runs, seven hits and no walks while striking out seven and taking a no-decision in Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

After working through a bit of trouble in the second inning, Miley cruised forward through the fifth by retiring nine straight hitters. The wheels came off in the bottom of the sixth when two Rangers led off the inning with singles before Prince Fielder blasted a 449-foot three-run home run. Miley's seven strikeouts and no walks left plenty of room for optimism going forward. The 29-year-old right-hander will take the hill against the Rangers once again in his next start Tuesday.

Alvarez (shoulder) threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez had been limited to just throwing bullpen sessions of late, but he moved up to facing live batters Wednesday for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery. He told reporters following Wednesday's session that his shoulder felt good and that May is still in the realm of possibility for his return date. Alvarez's next batting practice session is scheduled for Sunday.

Heaney, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a left flexor muscle strain, hopes to get better with rest, as his UCL has been deemed healthy by team doctors, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports.

It's easy to jump to conclusions with an injury like this and assume the worst, but the general sense among people that cover the team is that Heaney has a chance to get back on the mound without going under the knife. The Angels will likely be pretty careful with him, so he should be out longer than the 15-day minimum, but it's not yet time to cut bait with Heaney in deeper formats. Nick Tropeano is expected to come up from Triple-A and take the open rotation spot, but Tyler Skaggs should also be ready to join the rotation later this month, so Tropeano's stay in the rotation could be brief.

Heaney was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a left flexor muscle strain, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

According to Fletcher, Heaney had a noticeable dip in his velocity during Tuesday's start against the Cubs, which resulted in a loss. A flexor muscle strain is a concerning injury for pitchers as forearm injuries can often lead to more significant problems down the line. He'll be shut down for the time being, and the Angels figure to release a timetable for his return in the near future. The Angels have yet to make a corresponding move to replace Heaney on the active roster. Heaney's placement on the DL is a tough development for an Angels' staff that is already dangerously thin. Nick Tropeano is the leading candidate to take Heaney's spot in the rotation.

McCullers (shoulder) tossed 30 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday, Brain McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers was placed on the DL on Friday, and threw the simulated game at the Astros' facility in Kissimmee, Florida on Wednesday. McCullers is expected to head out on a rehab assignment in the near future before returning to the Astros by mid-to-late April.

Gausman (shoulder) will make a second rehab start for High-A Frederick on Thursday, April 14, Rich Dubroff of ComcastSportsNet reports.

Gausman is making a rehab start this Saturday at Double-A Bowie but the Orioles decided one more tune up would be ideal to prepare him for his return to the majors. By giving Gausman another start in the minors next week, it gives the 25-year-old a chance to regain his command and build his confidence against lower competition. After showing signs of improvement last year by posting a 8.25 K/9 and 1.23 WHIP over 112.3 innings, the prospect is there that 2016 could be a breakout year for the young righty.

Milone will get the start Saturday against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Milone was in line to start Friday, but thanks to a rainy Opening Day, Ervin Santana will get the ball again on Friday, pushing Milone back to Saturday. He went 9-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 24 appearances (23 starts) last season.

Nolasco will have his start pushed back to Sunday for this weekend's series against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins will shuffle their weekend rotation a bit, starting Ervin Santana on Friday, Tommy Milone on Saturday, and pushing Nolasco back to Sunday. Nolasco will have the unenviable task of facing a Royals lineup that knocked him out of his start after just 2.2 innings last season.