MLB Player News

Verlander (shoulder) will throw another live batting practice session at Minute Maid Park on Monday or Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander threw a 20-pitch live BP -- his first of the spring -- on Wednesday and came away encouraged by how things went. He will travel with the Astros back to Houston on Sunday when camp breaks before facing hitters again early next week and likely upping his pitch count. Verlander is set to open the season on the injured list but seemingly could be back before the end of April.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday that it's possible Lorenzen will be part of the team's Opening Day rotation, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The Rangers are still determining when to slot their new acquisition, but they haven't ruled out him being part of the first turn through the rotation. Young also added that Cody Bradford will make at least one start early on in the season even if Lorenzen is ready right away, likely during a stretch of 17 straight games without a day off in the middle of April.

The Rangers placed deGrom (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday.

It's a procedural transaction for deGrom as he continues his rehab from last June's Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old began a throwing program in mid-February but still has a long road ahead as he builds his arm strength back up.

Irvin will begin 2024 as the Orioles' fifth starter, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Experience wins out here, as Irvin's 7.30 ERA and 8:10 K:BB over 12.1 innings across four Grapefruit League starts probably didn't merit a rotation spot. His starting role is tenuous at best -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) will miss some time to begin the season, but but he has a strong beginning to his 2024 campaign, Irvin is likely to head to the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk once one of those pitchers is ready to debut.

Wells will be the Orioles' No. 3 starter to open 2024, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells likely has a bit more job security than Cole Irvin while John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) work their way back to full health. Wells pitched to a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings across three spring starts. He's not guaranteed to stay in the rotation all year given his success in the bullpen in previous seasons, however.

Carrasco has been informed that he has made the Guardians' Opening Day roster.

He has not yet been officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but Carrasco has been told he'll head north with the big club. The veteran right-hander could even open in the rotation while Gavin Williams (elbow) recovers. Carrasco has posted a 2.57 ERA and 9:6 K:BB over 14 innings this spring.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Gipson-Long (groin) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in any spring games while recovering from the groin strain he suffered early in camp, so it's not a big surprise he won't be available to start the season. Gipson-Long made his big-league debut down the stretch last year and had a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB in four starts (20 innings), but he may be pitching for Triple-A Toledo once healthy with Casey Mize and Reese Olson winning the final two spots in Detroit's rotation. Gipson-Long recently progressed to throwing live batting practice, so he could soon move on to building up his workload.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Mize will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 as he spent last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he pitched well enough during spring training with a 2.35 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 15.1 innings, though he did walk nine batters. Mize lines up to make his first start of the season Apr. 1 or 2 against the Mets with Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty scheduled for the opening series versus the White Sox.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Olson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson posted a 4.12 ERA over 107 innings as a rookie last season and cemented his rotation spot during spring training with a 3.68 ERA and 14:4 K:BB in 14.2 frames. Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty are set to start in the three-game, season-opening series against the White Sox, lining up Olson to pitch April 1 or 2 versus the Mets.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

He was in a hard-fought battle for one of the final two spots in the Tigers' rotation, but the club has opted to go with Casey Mize and Reese Olson. Manning should still ultimately spend a good chunk of the season in Detroit's rotation, but for now he'll head to Toledo to start every fifth day.