MLB Player News

Muller, who struggled to a 1-5 record, 7.60 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 77 innings in his Athletics debut campaign in 2023, made several changes to his mechanics this offseason, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Muller has had only one opportunity to show off the new look in game action thus far this spring, allowing an earned run on a walk and two hits over two innings while recording three strikeouts in a start against the Dodgers on Feb. 25. However, Gallegos notes Muller's modifications have been noticeable any time he's picked up a ball during camp, with the big right-hander having raised his arm slot and adjusted his windup rotation from east-to-west to more of a north-south orientation, per the recommendations of the team's baseball operations department. The mechanics closely mirror those Muller utilized while toiling in Atlanta's minor-league system in 2022, and the young hurler noted after his first outing that he could already see the changes paying dividends in the form of more swings and misses on his fastball.

DeSclafani (elbow) threw another bullpen session Monday as he ramps back up following a brief shutdown period, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

DeSclafani experienced soreness in his right elbow following his second live batting practice session of the spring. However, he was cleared for a bullpen session this past Friday and threw off a mound again Monday. The setback was worrisome given that DeSclafani is coming back from a flexor strain, but the Twins maintain confidence he can be ready for Opening Day. Working in the team's and the pitcher's favor is multiple early season off days, which would allow DeSclafani about five weeks to ramp back up, if that's the route the Twins want to take. If healthy, the righty looks to have a leg up over Louie Varland for the fifth spot in Minnesota's rotation.

Manoah (shoulder) is slated to play catch Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah had to have a Grapefruit League start over the weekend scratched because of right shoulder soreness. The Blue Jays will develop a plan for the right-hander's progression based on how he comes out of Monday's game of catch. Certainly, his availability for Opening Day is unclear at the moment.

Gausman will not throw his scheduled live bullpen session Monday due to "general shoulder fatigue," Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The good news here is that Gausman's MRI showed no structural damage. However, the fact an MRI was ordered shows there is some level of concern. Gausman has yet to pitch in a game this spring, and since he did not fully bounce back after his last side session, his availability for Opening Day could be in jeopardy. A better picture of his timetable should come into focus in the weeks to come.

Hancock, who fired two perfect innings with three strikeouts against the Athletics in his Cactus League debut Saturday, has impressed manager Scott Servais with his aggressiveness thus far this spring, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. "I love that's where he's at right now," Servais said.

Hancock still faces an uphill battle to snag an Opening Day spot if the Mariners' projected rotation makes it out of spring training unscathed, but he's been giving Servais something to think about since arriving in camp. The talented but oft-injured right-hander told the Seattle skipper in an earlier conversation he wanted to break camp with the big-league club, and he took the first official step toward forcing the issue Saturday with his dominant performance, which featured an improved fastball that sat between 94 and 96 mph, a changeup that got up to 90 mph and a cutter-slider hybrid that he's been working on. "I put a lot of work in this offseason trying to get back on track, get the velo back up," Hancock said. "And then ... when I get my work, I'm done. I don't want to overwork. I want to make sure that when I go into a start, I'm as fresh as possible."

Stripling (finger) didn't factor into the decision in a Cactus League win over the Rangers on Sunday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and recording a strikeout over three innings.

Stripling came on in the fourth inning in relief of starter JP Sears, who pitched a dominant first three frames that included seven strikeouts. Stripling didn't come close to matching his southpaw rotation mate in that regard, but he equaled Sears' workload and escaped without an earned run on his line. The veteran right-hander was originally slated to work up to 45 pitches, but Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports that manager Mark Kotsay relayed Stripling needed to put in another inning's worth of work in the bullpen to reach that count because he'd been so efficient on the mound.

Bido was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Bido has appeared in three games with the A's this spring, allowing three earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over three innings. The right-hander signed with Oakland in November after spending the 2023 campaign with the Pirates, posting a 5.86 ERA over 50.2 frames. He'll now look to carve out a role with the Athletics somewhere down the road.

Gil was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Gil made two Grapefruit League appearances and will shift to minor-league camp after he allowed two runs on a hit and two walks while striking out three. The right-hander is currently stretched out as a starter but could be shifted to a relief role, which would likely provide a clearer path to a roster spot in the majors. Gil missed most of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he returned for a couple minor-league rehab starts in September.

Verlander (shoulder) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Sunday that appeared to include some breaking balls, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 41-year-old continues to ramp up his throwing program, with the next step potentially being to face live hitters. Manager Joe Espada indicated Verlander could still be ready by Opening Day but also said "we're running out of days [in spring training]," per Kawahara.

Houck allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over three scoreless innings in Saturday's spring game against the Nationals.

Houck followed starter Brayan Bello and easily navigated the fourth through sixth innings. This was his second Grapefruit League outing; he pitched two perfect innings in a start last Monday. So far, so good for Houck, who's thrown five scoreless frames in his competition with Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski for the final rotation spot.