MLB Player News

Worley tossed two shutout innings with three strikeouts against the Twins in Sunday's Grapefruit League game.

Worley followed Miguel Gonzalez, who was roughed up badly for the second time in three appearances. With Worley following Gonzalez to the mound and delivering an encouraging performance, there has to be speculation that Worley could make the rotation. Worley has allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts this spring.

Manager John Farrell is hopeful that Rodriguez (knee) will throw a bullpen session this week, Red Sox reporter Maureen Mullen reports.

It's looking like Rodriguez will not be ready to pitch by Opening Day, but the sooner he gets back on a mound, the sooner he will be ready to make his first official regular season appearance.

Clevinger was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

As expected, Clevinger will begin the year at Triple-A after spending all of 2015 at Double-A Akron. In 158 innings last season, Clevinger posted a 3.02 ERA, going 9-8 with a 1.057 WHIP.

Rodriguez (knee) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez has been in a holding pattern in his rehab over the last week and is quickly losing time needed to be ready for Opening Day. A bullpen session soon would be encouraging, but it's beginning to look like Henry Owens or Steven Wright will have to cover Rodriguez's turn in the rotation for a few weeks. The Red Sox don't need a fifth starter until April 10, so they do have a little wiggle room past Opening Day.

Eovaldi (groin) touched 99 mph in his spring debut Thursday, the New York Post reports.

Elbow inflammation ended Eovaldi's 2015 season in early September, and a groin issue delayed him at the start of camp, but his performance Thursday should go a long way in easing any lingering concern. Eovaldi breezed through the tough Blue Jays' lineup, tossing a pair of perfect innings. He was happy with the sharpness of his slider, but wasn't particularly pleased with how he threw his splitter in the outing.

Copeland was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday, the Toronto Star's Brendan Kennedy reports.

The 28-year-old righty should head to Triple-A at the start of the season to serve as a swingman and as organizational bullpen depth. He had a 6.46 ERA in five appearances (three starts) in the majors last season.

Rodriguez (knee) remains without a timetable to throw from a mound, NESN's Maureen Mullen reports.

No news is bad news in Rodriguez's case, as he is running out of time to get ready for his first turn in the Boston rotation at the outset of the regular season. Assuming Joe Kelly makes the rotation out of camp, Henry Owens, Steven Wright and Roenis Elias would be competing to keep Rodriguez's rotation spot warm if he has to start the year on the DL.

Rodon threw four scoreless innings against the Padres on Friday without using his slider, the White Sox's official site reports.

Rodon's came into the league with an already elite slider, but being able to harness his other pitches should propel him into the next tier of starters. He enters the season as the third man in the White Sox rotation.

McCullers (shoulder) got some good news Saturday when his MRI came back clean, but he has no timetable to return to the mound, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have repeatedly said and demonstrated they are going to be cautious with the health of their young right-hander, so they probably aren't going to rush him back, even with a clean MRI. Whether or not this affects McCullers' Opening Day readiness remains to be seen, so keep an eye out for when he returns to camp.

McCullers is dealing with shoulder soreness and will see a doctor, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's next throwing session has been postponed indefinitely, with the Astros determined to get a read on the issue before having him get back onto the mound. Manager A.J. Hinch said McCullers has not bounced back well following his sessions so far in camp. Mike Fiers would be in line to start for Houston if this turns out to be serious.