MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Liam Hendriks surrendered four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings during Minnesota's 9-5 loss to Baltimore on Friday. Hendriks was unable to protect a 4-1 in the fourth inning and was saddled with a no-decision during his season debut. He struck out a batter and walked one as his ERA soared to 7.71.

Hendriks is slated to make his next start Wednesday at Kansas City. In two starts against the Royals last season, the right-hander posted a 6.23 ERA and failed to work past the fifth inning in either outing.

Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer was tagged for six earned runs in his first start against the A's Thursday. The damage included eight hits and two two-run home runs but no walks and only one strikeout.

Maurer is lined up to face the Astros, a team that struck out 43 times in its first three games, in his next start.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer will make his first start in the majors Thursday against the Athletics. 

Maurer's strong spring training performance won him a spot in the rotation over the more heralded Erasmo Ramirez. Maurer was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Year in Double-A last season, but has never thrown a pitch in Triple-A. 

Maurer's first start comes in a favorable park, as CBS Fantasy writer Jack Moore wrote Wednesday. O.co Coliseum has typically played pitcher friendly, suppressing scoring and power. The park also has a large foul ground area that helps aid pitchers. Maurer could be on his way to a decent first performance if he can tame his nerves. 

Rays closer Fernando Rodney was pretty much lights out at the end of last season for the Rays. 

Rodney, who hadn't allowed a run in his previous 19 appearances dating back to 2012, did so after his first two batters Wednesday against the Orioles. 

Rodney, who blew two saves all season and had 48 last year, gave up a walk to Nolan Reimold followed by an RBI double to Brian Roberts to blow his first save of the year as the Orioles tied the score at seven in the top of the ninth. 

The reliever, who gave up a run on one hit and a walk during his 19-pitch inning of work, ended up getting the win, as Tampa won on a walk-off homer by Matt Joyce in the bottom of the ninth. 

The Twins have set their rotation for the upcoming three-game series against Baltimore beginning Friday, reports MLB.com. Liam Hendriks will start on Friday, followed by Vance Worley Saturday and Cole De Vries Sunday. 

Hendriks, who posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in seven starts over the spring, will be making his season debut against the Orioles. 

Brandon Maurer ranks as one of the most added players in CBSSports.com Fantasy baseball heading into Wednesday's action, as he's gone from owned in 10 percent of leagues to 37 percent over the past week. 

The youngster impressed in Mariners camp and worked his way into the rotation over Erasmo Ramirez. Baseball America called Maurer "yet another pitching prospect with frontline potential," and his fastball-slider combination is appealing. More appealing? Maurer's season begins with the Athletics Thursday -- a team that has mustered six hits in its first two games -- and followed by the Astros -- a team with 28 strikeouts through two games -- his next time around Tuesday.

Maurer's stuff alone made him worth a flyer for Fantasy teams who whiffed on pitching in drafts. His early schedule makes it even easier to give him a pickup and see what he has to offer.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said pitcher prospect Trevor May will start the season at Double-A New Britain, according to FOX Sports North.

May, who was considered a top 100 prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com in 2012, is in his first year with the Twins' organization after being acquired from Philadelphia in the Ben Revere trade. May is 37-31 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 525 1/3 minor-league innings. He is also striking out 11.1 batters per nine innings. MLB.com considers May the team's seventh-best prospect.

When the Marlins announced that top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez would be promoted to the majors, the result was a 30 percent increase in ownership -- making him the most added player so far. Fernandez went from being owned in 12 percent of leagues to 42 almost overnight.

Also shooting up the most added list are Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer, who will make his MLB debut Thursday, and Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., whose stellar spring landed him in Boston’s opening day lineup batting eighth. Just behind them are Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and Cardinals relief pitcher Mitchell Boggs, rounding out the top five. 

The Mariners reassigned Endy Chavez, Danny Farquhar, Brad Miller and Jesus Sucre to minor-league camp on Sunday.

Mariners rookie pitcher Brandon Maurer is certainly one of the top surprises of the spring. The 2008 23rd-round pick came out of nowhere to win a spot in the team's rotation and will make his MLB debut Thursday opposite A's starting pitcher A.J. Griffin.

Maurer had quite the spring, going 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in seven appearances (four starts). He also struck out 25. I have no problem with Fantasy owners taking a flier on a potential sleeper like Maurer, especially since the 22-year-old could just be rounding into form after getting over some injury issues earlier in his career.

Though, I'm not so sure I would stick Maurer (owned 23 percent of leagues) into active lineups for Week 1 (March 31-April 7). His first start will be on the road and against an opponent that has a lot of powerful bats in its lineup. I think there's more to lose than gain by starting Maurer in mixed leagues Week 1.