MLB Player News

Kopech (hand) will miss the next three-to-six weeks, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

He fractured his pitching hand in an altercation with his roommate last weekend. Manager John Farrell said the recovery time will depend on whether Kopech requires a pin in that right hand. He is currently seeking a second opinion in Boston. The Red Sox's second best pitching prospect clearly has some growing up to do, as this will be the second time in less than a year that he will miss time for an off-the field issue, the first coming with a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. That said, he is still just 19 years old, and he has the potential to be a No. 2 starter in time, so he should not be discounted much on prospect lists. Look for him to start the year at High-A in mid-to-late April.

McCullers will throw a bullpen session in the next day or so before being slotted into Grapefruit League action, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

The 22-year-old tossed a career-high 157.2 innings between Houston and Double-A Corpus Christi last season, so the Astros are taking a cautious approach this spring with their young hurler.

Gausman threw 2.2 innings in a minor league game Thursday, MASN Sports reports.

The Orioles are known to send some of their pitchers to minor league camp from time to time, even when they are healthy. That seems to be the case for Gausman. He allowed two doubles and walked a batter in the game. Gausman should likely pitch exclusively in Grapefruit League games for the rest of the spring as the first cuts in camp come Friday. The club probably wanted to get a look at some younger guys before making the first round of cuts. Gausman actually might vault as high as the No. 3 starter by the end of spring depending on the condition of Chris Tillman and the effectiveness of Miguel Gonzalez.

Heaney (illness) allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one in two scoreless frames Thursday.

Heaney skipped a start due to an illness, but appears to be better now. After the start, the left-hander came out and said "I have energy. I am not dying. It's great." This is a good development, as he can now get back to his spot at the back of the Angels rotation.

Stroman could start two of the Blue Jays' first five games of the season as a fallback plan in case Marco Estrada (back) is not ready to take the ball the first time through the rotation, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reports.

Stroman will be the Opening Day starter in Tampa Bay, but he could also pitch the home opener later that week if Estrada is not ready. This does not really affect his value for the first week of the season, as he would still pitch twice in that first week even if Estrada is healthy.

Rodriguez (knee) is in a holding pattern and will need multiple bullpen sessions before he appears in a game, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

The talented young lefty is running out of time to get enough work in this spring to be ready for the regular season. Boston is understandably taking it slow with Rodriguez, and although the swelling in his knee has "minimized," there is not an exact timetable for him throw a bullpen session. If he is forced to miss a start or two in the regular season, Henry Owens and Brian Johnson would be options to start the year in the rotation.

Worley allowed three runs on five hits in two innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Worley remains on the outside looking in on a roster spot this spring following the Yovani Gallardo signing. He threw two scoreless his first time out, but he struggled Wednesday, allowing a home run and two doubles.

Gray was named as the A's Opening Day Starter on Wednesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Manager Bob Melvin confirmed Wednesday that Gray would be taking the hill on Opening Day for the third consecutive season when the A's begin their 2016 campaign against the White Sox. Gray has not allowed a run in his other two Opening Day starts.

Darvish (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session with breaking pitches from a normal distance, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Darkish just began throwing breaking balls last Friday, and it appears that he is holding up fine in his rehab process. He's still on track for a mid-May return to the Texas rotation.

The swelling in Rodriguez's dislocated kneecap has "minimized" but he is not yet cleared to throw off a mound, ESPN's Scott Lauber reports.

It sounds like he is progressing well, but prospective owners will want to continue to follow the situation to make sure he can return to the mound in time to get enough work in to be ready for the start of the season. A healthy Rodriguez makes for a cheap breakout candidate, as he has the stuff and physical characteristics to make it as a No. 3 starter.