MLB Player News

The Orioles have not announced a fifth starter yet, leaving Worley and Tyler Wilson available out of the bullpen for the first two games, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

Once healthy, Kevin Gausman will take over the last spot in the rotation, which may leave the O's with a roster decision to make with one of their two temporary fifth starter candidates in the coming weeks.

Gausman (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Gausman will be eligible to return from the DL as soon as April 10, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to appear in games by that point, as his right shoulder tendinitis still remains an issue. He's since resumed throwing, however, so there's a good chance he'll be back at some point in April.

Rodriguez (knee) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez has progressed to live bullpen sessions in his recovery from a knee injury suffered early in spring training, but after having missed all of Grapefruit League play, he'll be unavailable for the Red Sox to begin the season. The 22-year-old will likely need to make several rehab starts in the minors to make up for the lack of spring training innings before rejoining the Red Sox, so he may not be back until early or mid-May.

Darvish (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Darvish hasn't endured any setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery throughout spring training, but the Rangers' plan all along is to ease him back into action by mid-May. As a result, he'll still need a little more than a month to continue his rehab, which could soon include facing hitters.

Alvarez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.

Alvarez has been long expected to start the season on the disabled list due to his lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery, and the A's finalized the move Saturday with Opening Day looming. However, Alvarez has been upping his pitch counts during recent bullpen sessions and is scheduled to face live hitters Wednesday. If he continues to recover at this pace, he could be back on the mound some time in mid-May.

Darvish (elbow) is expected to return in mid-May and won't require a stint on the 60-day disabled list, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Darvish has been gradually working up his pitch count of late as he sets his sights on returning to the mound following last year's Tommy John. The Rangers' confirmation Saturday that Darvish won't require a stint on the 60-day DL is a sign that the club is confident that he'll be able to return early in the first half of the season. Both Darvish and Josh Hamilton are expected to return by some point in mid-May.

Cobb (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday.

As expected, Cobb will open the year on the DL as he continues to work back from Tommy John surgery last May. The Rays haven't placed a firm timeline on Cobb's return, but the expectation is he could return sometime around, or perhaps before, the All-Star break.

Rodriguez (knee) threw a live bullpen session Saturday but he is still not ready for game action, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Rodriguez is already set to start the season on the disabled list, but Saturday's bullpen session is a step in the right direction. According to Britton, Rodriguez needs to log at least two more bullpens before the Red Sox mull over their next move, which would likely be a rehab assignment. Depending on how many innings the Red Sox want Rodriguez to throw before coming off the disabled list, Rodriguez could be in for a rehab assignment that lasts several outings.

Worley threw two innings Friday and seems to have made Baltimore's Opening Day roster as a swing man, MASN Sports reports.

Worley should be available out of the bullpen on Opening Day at the minimum. His sights will be set on April 10. If healthy, Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will start that game. If not, either Worley or Tyler Wilson will make the start. Worley gave up 10 runs -- eight earned -- on 19 hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in 16.2 innings this spring. Once Gausman or Brian Matusz is healthy, Worley's roster spot could be threatened.

McCullers (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Recent reports on McCullers' recovery from the shoulder injury have been encouraging, and he will travel with the team to New York on Sunday to be part of the Opening Day festivities. Considering McCullers has already faced live hitters, it seems possible he could join an affiliate and begin a rehab assignment relatively early on in the season.