MLB Player News

The Mariners have sent pitcher Brandon Maurer to Triple-A.

Maurer dealt with a back injury throughout most of camp, which limited his production. He started 14 games with the club in 2013, but could find it tougher to break into the rotation this season. Last year, he posted a 6.30 ERA in 90 innings.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings in his team's 4-1 win over the Giants Friday.

Chavez wraps up a quality spring campaign with a 5-1 record, 2.22 ERA and 25:6 K:BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings. He'll battle the Indians in his season debut Wednesday.

The White Sox reassigned six players to minor-league camp Friday, including catcher Hector Gimenez, infielders Micah Johnson and Alex Liddi, outfielder Blake Tekotte and pitchers Zach Putnam and David Purcey.

Promising right-hander Dellin Betances and left-hander Vidal Nuno have snagged the last two spots on the Yankees pitching staff for the regular season.

Betances earned his place on the roster by surrendering just one earned run in 12 1/3 innings in exhibition competition. Nuno lost his shot at a starting job, but managed to hang on for a bullpen role.

The good news for Rays starter Matt Moore is that he didn't take another comebacker to the face, which he admitted Friday he was a bit leery about. The bad news is that he yielded three earned runs on seven hits against Detroit.

Moore raised his spring ERA to 4.67 with the effort in which he walked none and struck out four. He is set to make his first regular season start next Wednesday against Toronto.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago was not at his best in his final start of the spring on Thursday against the Dodgers.

Santiago served up two homers to Hanley Ramirez. He was charged with four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings pitched. He posted a 3.63 ERA and 24:12 K:BB ratio over 21 1/3 innings pitched this spring.

The Astros claimed reliever Ryan Pressly from the Twins and designated left-hander Raul Valdes for assignment Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Pressly posted a 5.40 ERA over 8 1/3 innings this spring. Valdes allowed only one run over 5 1/3 innings of work this spring.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced his starting rotation on Thursday, and there are no surprises, according to The Tampa Tribune.

Much like the spring rotation, David Price will open the season on Monday against Toronto. Alex Cobb, Matt Moore and Chris Archer will follow. Jake Odorizzi will start three-game weekend series on Friday against the Rangers.

The Blue Jays announced Wednesday they will open the season with an eight-man bullpen. The bullpen will include closer Casey Janssen, Sergio Santos, Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, Aaron Loup, Todd Redmond, Esmil Rogers and Jeremy Jeffress.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer threw 19 pitches in an inning of work in a minor-league game Tuesday, MLB.com reports. He's been out since early March due to tightness in his neck and back.

"I'm just trying to get the feel back for all four of my pitches, but it felt pretty good for the first time," Maurer said. "I'm finally pain free with everything."

Maurer is expected to throw three innings in his next outing, and he's likely headed to the disabled list to continue his rehab.