MLB Player News

Ryan has been working on a new sinker this spring and threw it in Friday's spring training start, MLB.com reports. Ryan gave up two runs with two strikeouts and a walk over two innings Friday against Boston.

Ryan doesn't have great velocity (92.3 average mph fastball in 2023) but has an extremely deceptive four-seam fastball that helped him generate an excellent 29.3 strikeout percentage and 14.2 percent swinging strike rate in 2023. However, his secondary pitches all took a step backward last season, so the development of another pitch could be a significant addition and is something to monitor this spring. He worked on the new sinker at Driveline in Arizona in the offseason.

Rodriguez has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut because of back spasms, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez's back acted up on him following a recent live batting practice session. The positive news is he's slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday and then another live BP session after that. The bad news is Rodriguez is trying to ramp up after not pitching anywhere in 2023, so any delay, however small, isn't helpful.

Lyles trained at Tread Athletics to increase his velocity and adjust his curveball this offseason, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lyles allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings versus the White Sox on Thursday. He used his cutter more during his Cactus League debut, so it remains to be seen if his offseason work on his fastball will pan out. Lyles had an awful 2023 with a 6.28 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 177.2 innings, but he also made 31 starts and pitched a career-high three complete games. He projects as an innings eater at the back of the Royals' rotation in 2024.

Williams struck out four and walked one over two hitless innings versus the Angels on Thursday.

Thursday was Williams' Cactus League debut, and it couldn't have gone much better. The right-hander burst into the majors in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB over 82 innings across 16 starts last season. His 4.04 FIP suggests he was a little lucky, but at 24 years old, he's still got room to grow. Williams should be considered a favorite to begin 2024 in the Guardians' rotation.

Berrios gave up two hits and struck out one in two scoreless innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Facing a lineup that included only a couple of likely Opening Day starters in Trea Turner and Bryson Stott, Berrios pounded the strike zone and fired 20 of 29 pitches over the plate. The 29-year-old righty was his usual rock-solid self in 2023, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 189.2 innings with a 23.5 percent strikeout rate against a 6.6 percent walk rate, and he figures to provide stability to the middle of the Toronto rotation once again this season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Skubal will start Opening Day against the White Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Skubal seemed to be an obvious choice after he logged a 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 80.1 innings across 15 starts for the Tigers last season following a return from flexor tendon surgery. The left-hander probably isn't going to be a workhorse but nonetheless possesses ample fantasy upside for the 2024 season.

DeSclafani has been slowed in Twins' camp by right elbow soreness, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani felt some soreness following his second live batting practice session. While he's resumed long toss and hopes to return to a mound in a few days, the setback is a troubling development given that he missed much of the 2023 campaign with a flexor issue. For what it's worth, trainer Nick Paparesta said Friday that DeSclafani still has time to be ready for Opening Day. The righty is competing with Louie Varland for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander was not cleared to face hitters after Tuesday's bullpen session as hoped, but perhaps that will happen after Sunday's mound work. The veteran right-hander has been coming along slowly but surely in camp after some offseason shoulder issues, but he's running out of time to get ramped up by Opening Day.

Valdez will experiment with calling some of his own pitches during spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez will wear a PitchCom device that will allow him to send signals to the catcher beginning with his Grapefruit League debut Friday. Assuming the experiment goes well, he's expected to continue the practice into the regular season, though it's unclear if any other Astros starter will follow suit. Valdez appears to be making the shift as a result of the departure of Martin Maldonado, who caught every inning that he threw in 2023 and all but three frames in the last two seasons.

Flores, who averaged 92.9 mph on his fastball last season, touched 99 mph in Grapefruit League play Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Flores got a swinging strikeout on the pitch, and a sustained increase in velocity would be good news for the young righty. He was selected to the 40-man roster in November, and while he'll likely start the year with Triple-A Toledo, Flores could be a bullpen option at some point in 2024 if he's able to pitch well in the minors.