MLB Player News

Lyles (back) allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out one over three innings in a Cactus League game Saturday versus the Cubs. He did not walk a batter.

Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Lyles was able to get to about 50 pitches with a bullpen session following the start. Lyles dealt with lower-back tightness earlier in March, which has slowed his ramp-up for the 2024 season. Rogers adds that Lyles should be built up enough to start at the beginning of the season, but there's no guarantee just yet that the right-hander will open the year in the rotation. Both Daniel Lynch and Alec Marsh have been solid in spring games, with Marsh showing the most upside with a four-inning piggyback appearance after Lyles' start Saturday.

The White Sox optioned Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

The left-hander allowed three earned runs over two innings during his lone Cactus League start, so it's not a major surprise he won't be opening the season in Chicago's rotation. Shuster had a 5.81 ERA over 52.2 innings (11 starts) with Atlanta last season, and he seems likely to receive a look with the White Sox at some point in 2024 given the organization's poor rotation depth.

Skubal allowed three runs on eight hits across four innings of work in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out five.

Skubal skipped his last spring start, with him tossing a simulated game instead, but he got back into his normal routine Saturday. The lefty wasn't at his sharpest, though he's still had a strong spring with a 3.00 ERA over three appearances, and he's already been announced as Detroit's Opening Day starter. Skubal had a delayed start to 2023 as he recovered from an injury, and he ultimately posted a stellar 2.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 80.1 innings. The lefty could be ready for a bigger breakout in 2024, as he's poised to take on a larger workload.

France (shoulder) struck out four and allowed one run on four hits and one walk over 2.1 innings Saturday in the Astros' 6-1 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.

France fell short of the three innings he had expected to cover in his spring debut, but he reached the 50-pitch mark and was able to generate 11 swings and misses on the day. Per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, France's delayed buildup during spring training while he battled shoulder inflammation isn't expected to derail his bid for the Opening Day rotation, especially after a spot opened up for him due to Justin Verlander (shoulder) being set to begin the campaign on the injured list. Kawahara notes that France has been working on adding a sinker to his arsenal in 2024 to provide another weapon to combat right-handed hitters. Though he held lefties to a .678 OPS over his 136.1 innings as a rookie in 2023, righties posted a .789 OPS while the right-handed France leaned mostly on a four-seam fastball, cutter and sweeping slider in those matchups versus same-handed hitters.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander (shoulder) will throw a light bullpen session Sunday, and if that goes well, the right-hander will advance to throwing live batting practice, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander said Friday he is "definitely getting close to facing hitters," and it appears Sunday's bullpen will be the final hurdle. Espada also said the 41-year-old will require multiple live sessions before pitching in games, so Verlander is likely still a week or two away from that step. The veteran will begin the season on the injured list but could be ready to join the Astros in mid-to-late April.

DeSclafani (elbow) threw 1.2 innings in a Triple-A spring training game Saturday with three strikeouts and two walks, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani hasn't appeared in a major-league spring training game, but that could come in the next week. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but it's not certain he'll be ready for Opening Day despite this progress. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has thrown 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.

Keller underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery over the offseason, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Keller dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms on a couple occasions last season while with the Royals and evidently at some point opted for surgery. He inked a minor-league deal with the White Sox last week and "threw the ball really well" during a recent live batting practice session, per manager Pedro Grifol. Keller is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte but could become an option for Chicago's rotation before long.

Nastrini has allowed just one run over seven innings this spring as he attempts to win a spot in the White Sox' rotation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Nastrini has permitted just two hits and two walks over those seven frames, recording nine strikeouts along the way. Acquired from the Dodgers at last year's trade deadline, Nastrini is not on the 40-man roster, but the White Sox have at least one rotation spot up for grabs and the 24-year-old is in the running. He'll get another start Sunday versus the Athletics as he continues to state his case.

Urquidy (elbow) will fly to Houston on Saturday to see the Astros' team doctors, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy removed himself from his appearance in a minor-league game Saturday due to discomfort in his right elbow. The pain hadn't disappeared when he arrived at the Astros' complex Saturday, so he will head back to Houston in order to get checked out. Should Urquidy end up having to miss time to begin the season, the Astros may further intensify their push to sign Blake Snell.

Cole said Saturday that he is dealing with nerve inflammation in his right elbow and won't throw for three-to-four weeks, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

A lengthy rest period was expected for Cole, although there is still plenty of room for him to appear later this season after it was determined his elbow won't require surgery. Cole remains without a firm timeline for his return to the Yankees' rotation, but a clearer picture may emerge after the end of his no-throw period.