MLB Player News

Woo fired four perfect innings during which he recorded five strikeouts in a Cactus League win over the Brewers on Thursday.

Woo has bounced back from a forgettable Cactus League debut against the Rockies on March 1 to throw 6.2 hitless innings over his next two appearances. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports the right-hander needed just 38 pitches to record his 12 outs Thursday, necessitating another dozen pitches in a bullpen session after his appearance in order to continue building up for the start of the season. The Mariners will monitor Woo's workload throughout the campaign as they prepare to push him well past the 131.2 innings he threw in 2023 as a rookie.

Cole (elbow) will rest and receive treatment to recover from his elbow injury after it was determined Thursday that surgery won't be necessary, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Cole was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who determined that there was no tear in Cole's UCL. As a result, the right-hander will be able to avoid surgery of any kind. An exact timeline for Cole's return to the mound remains unclear, though he is expected to be sidelined for at least 1-to-2 months.

DeSclafani (elbow) got through another bullpen session without issue Thursday and his next step is to pitch in a minor-league game, Nick Nelson of Twins Daily reports.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli wasn't sure which day the minor-league appearance would take place, but it's imminent. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but his availability for Opening Day remains very much in question. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has spun 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.

Irvin allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 innings versus Atlanta on Wednesday.

Irvin experienced his first struggles this spring -- he had not allowed a run over his previous five innings across two starts. Irvin remains in contention for a rotation spot, and there should be enough room for both him and Tyler Wells at the start of the season, but that will likely change quickly once Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) are given the all-clear.

Williams (elbow) is scheduled to resume a throwing program after three or four days off but will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Though the Guardians are optimistic about Williams' long-term health outlook after a recent MRI came back clean, his sore elbow will prevent him from breaking camp as a member of the Opening Day roster. Williams, who hurt his elbow last week during a weighted-ball workout, has shown improvement since being scratched ahead of a Cactus League start last Sunday, and he should be able to start ramping up early next week. Provided Williams steers clear of any setbacks with his elbow as he builds up to a starter-level workload during what remains of spring training as well as the early part of the regular season, he could be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 15 days. The Guardians will likely formally place him on the IL closer to Opening Day.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Thursday that Iriarte is a candidate to reach the majors in 2024, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Acquired from the Padres in the Dylan Cease trade, Iriarte held a 3.49 ERA and 128:45 K:BB across 90.1 innings between the High-A and Double-A levels last season. The 22-year-old is already on the 40-man roster and figures to start the 2024 season at Triple-A Charlotte, but he could push to debut with the Pale Hose later this summer.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Thursday that Thorpe could pitch in the majors this season, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Thorpe was part of the return package from the Padres in the Dylan Cease trade and is landing with a club severely lacking in big-league rotation depth. The 23-year-old reached the Double-A level in 2023 but made just five starts there, so it seems likely that a non-contender like the White Sox will give him more time in the minors. Thorpe has thrown seven scoreless innings this spring and will have a couple weeks left of Cactus League action to impress his new club.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Thursday that Kopech will begin the season in the bullpen, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Kopech finished last season in the bullpen, but the White Sox seemingly had been committed to him as a starter again heading into 2024. However, they've reversed course even after trading starter Dylan Cease. Kopech was excellent in relief back in 2021 and immediately becomes a candidate to close for the club, perhaps even the favorite for the job. It's a boost to Kopech's fantasy outlook, but even if he does close he'll be doing so for one of the worst teams in the league.

Espino will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Espino had surgery last May to repair the anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder and now has an additional shoulder surgery that he'll need to rehab. The 23-year-old had flashed some of the best raw stuff in the minors since entering the professional ranks in 2019, but he simply hasn't been able to stay healthy, as he's battled numerous shoulder and knee problems. It's not clear when Espino might be game-ready again, but it probably won't be until at least midseason in 2025.

Bassitt struck out nine batters in 5.1 innings during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk.

The veteran right-hander faced a Pittsburgh lineup that only included a handful of regulars, but aside from a solo shot by Oneil Cruz in the sixth inning, Bassitt had little trouble carving up the opposition. He built up to 73 pitches (47 strikes) and looks just about ready for Opening Day, having posted a 14:1 K:BB through 14.2 spring innings. Should Kevin Gausman (shoulder) not be quite ready when the regular season begins, it's not out of the question that Bassitt takes the mound for the Blue Jays' opener.