MLB Player News

Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson will follow ace Jered Weaver and pitch the second game of the season, while Matt Shoemaker will take the mound for the third game of the season, the team announced Thursday.

Weaver, Wilson and Shoemaker will be facing the Mariners in order next week, starting Monday. The Angels are expected to use a four-man rotation initially, leaving Hector Santiago as the probable starter for Friday's home opener against the Royals.

The White Sox reassigned pitchers Brad Penny and Scott Carroll to minor-league camp on Thursday. Manager Robin Ventura hinted that his 25-man roster will be set on Friday, per the Chicago Tribune.

Penny, 36, told reporters he's fine with opening the season at Triple-A Charlotte. He finished the spring with a 6.89 ERA over 15 2/3 innings. Carroll allowed two earned runs over 11 1/3 innings of work in Cactus League play.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez told reporters that "the writing is on the wall" and indicated that he'll likely start the season in the bullpen.

"I think they had their minds made up from the beginning. But we'll see what happens," Chavez said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Chavez allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings of work on Wednesday against the Angels. He posted a 4.50 ERA, a 1.75 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB ratio over 16 innings this spring. If he is demoted to the bullpen as a long reliever and spot starter, the A's will likely go will left-hander Drew Pomeranz as their fifth starter.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly was able to toss four innings in a minor league game Wednesday, reports the Boston Globe.

Kelly has been dealing with a biceps injury for the past few weeks of spring training and was able to throw 65 pitches in his appearance Wednesday. It is still yet to be determined whether Kelly will begin the season on the disabled list.

The Rangers reportedly believe they have their starting rotation set for the beginning of the season, reports the Dallas Morning News.

The rotation will go Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis, Ross Detwiler, Nick Martinez, and Derek Holland.

Detwiler and Martinez will have beat out Nick Tepesch, Ross Ohlendorf, Anthony Ranaudo, Lisalverto Bonilla and Anthony Bass for two open spots in the starting rotation this spring.

 Martinez posted a 4.20 ERA in four appearances this spring with 11 strikeouts. Detwiler posted a 4.15 ERA with eight strikeouts in three appearances this spring.

Blue Jays manager Jon Gibbons confirmed that Todd Redmond and Colt Hynes are on the team to start the season, according to TSN.ca on Wednesday. Barring any changes to the rosters, the last spot on the roster will come down to second baseman Ryan Goins and pitcher Liam Hendriks.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters his rotation will line up with Dallas Keuchel on Opening Day against Indians, followed by Scott Feldman on Wednesday and Asher Wojciechowski on Thursday. Collin McHugh will open a three-game set at Texas on Friday, followed by Roberto Hernandez on Saturday, per the Houston Chronicle.

Rays manager Kevin Cash reiterated that he won't name a closer for now, and will take a closer-by committee approach to start the season, per the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday.

"We're not going to name a closer," Cash said. "There's going to be guys that we'll lean on to pitch in those (high) leverage situations. It just doesn't make sense to me to come out and name a closer when the game can be on the line in the seventh and eighth inning."

Brad Boxberger, who saved two games last season, was deemed as the favorite by Cash earlier this spring to see the ball in the ninth while Jake McGee is sidelined with an elbow injury. Grant Balfour and Ernesto Frieri have combined for 152 out of 164 career saves on Tampa Bay's active roster.

Cash indicated that he will revisit his closer approach once McGee returns from injury.

"We'll revisit it," Cash said, "but it's too early to tell."

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that pitchers Alex Colome (illness) will throw a live batting practice on Friday, while Drew Smyly (shoulder) will face live hitters Wednesday and Saturday, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes is scheduled to pitch on Thursday against the Twins, according to the Providence Journal on Wednesday. Barnes dealt with food poisoning earlier this week. He has a 5.25 ERA through 12 innings of work this spring.