MLB Player News

Odorizzi allowed five hits and struck out five over 6.2 innings in a minor-league start against the Orioles' Triple-A Norfolk team Monday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander took his regular turn in the rotation with Triple-A Durham, while many of his major-league teammates were down in Havana readying for Tuesday's exhibition versus the Cuba National Team. Odorizzi surrendered a home run, but was otherwise sharp despite some discomfort from a callus on his right middle finger, finding the strike zone on 67 of his 90 offerings. He'll take the mound again versus the Pirates on Saturday in Bradenton, when his goal will be to reach 105 pitches.

Bassitt has been diagnosed with a left hamstring contusion, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

In his third Cactus League start Monday, Bassitt was less than crisp against the Giants, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four in 5.1 innings. Prior to the outing, he had tossed five scoreless frames with four punchouts versus two free passes, but the hamstring injury may have played a part in Monday's subpar performance. Although it's unclear if his next spring start will be skipped, a delayed return could hinder his chances of opening the season in the Athletics' rotation.

Meyer will work in the starting rotation at Triple-A Rochester after being moved to the bullpen last season, GM Terry Ryan told Rhet Bollinger of MLB.com

Ryan said he wanted Meyer to be able to work on a third pitch as a starter. We'll have to see if Meyer is able to stay in the rotation as he had more success as a reliever last year (with a 3.68 ERA and 10.2 K/9 over the final two months at Triple-A). Meyer would have more fantasy value as a starter, but could have a faster path to the majors as a reliever.

Rodriguez (knee) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Monday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

No issues were reported during of after Rodriguez's outing, so it can presumed that he came out of the session without setback. He is progressing in the right direction and will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, but it remains to be seen when he will get into a game next.

Hamels has faced just seven hitters in official exhibition game action, opting to throw against minor-leaguers as he prepares for the season according to the team's web site.

Hamels has given way to other starters competing for a rotation spot, so scanning the stats and seeing just one appearance for the Texas ace isn't a cause for alarm.

Darvish (elbow) had a successful bullpen session Saturday and is expected to throw 30 pitches in the bullpen Monday, the team's web site reports.

Darvish is expected to gradually increase his workload over the next two weeks and continues to progress to an expected mid-May return.

Boyd remains a long shot to win the job as the fifth starter, reports MLive.com.

Daniel Norris and Shane Greene appear to be first in line for the fifth spot, but Boyd is still in camp. Boyd has a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched this spring, but more importantly, he has fired 13 strikeouts to just 12 hits. He's still likely to start the season with the Toledo Mud Hens, but his development has clearly taken a step forward. Boyd's leg kick is now lower and (hopefully) easier to repeat than the high one he used last year. Boyd's future is improving.

Verlander's fastball hit anywhere from 87 to 94 mph on the stadium radar gun in his spring training outing against the Nationals in Lakeland on Sunday, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Tigers' scouts immediately questioned the stadium's gun after clocking significantly higher readings on Verlander's fastballs and were quick to state it as more about his location than his velocity. The pitcher left his breaking stuff up in the zone twice to Bryce Harper, one of the best power hitters in the game, and both pitches were smacked over the fence. Verlander will make two more spring training starts before taking the ball for the season opener in Miami.

Gausman is dealing with right shoulder tendinitis and is expected to remain sidelined for 2-3 days, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Gausman relayed that his throwing shoulder has been bothering him for the last week, and with improvement not coming as quickly as expected, the Orioles directed him to have a cortisone shot. It will take a few days for the shot to have its intended effect, but the Orioles are hopeful that by the end of the week, the 25-year-old will be able to resume throwing again. This minor setback shouldn't affect his outlook for the upcoming season.

Sale held the Dodgers to two runs on six hits in 5.1 innings Saturday in his Cactus League debut.

Sale allowed a solo home run to Howie Kendrick but otherwise limited the Dodgers to a bunch of singles. Sale's lack of spring training action had nothing to do with his health, and it looks like his stamina should not be a question heading into the second half of camp.