MLB Player News

Manoah (shoulder) will play catch for the second day in a row Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah resumed throwing Monday after a brief shutdown period with right shoulder soreness, and it's a good sign that he's feeling well enough to throw again the next day. Manoah still has numerous hoops to jump through and faces a tall task to be ready by Opening Day.

Initial imaging on Giolito's right elbow showed a partial UCL tear and flexor strain, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Giolito will be examined further before any decisions are made, but season-ending surgery is a possibility. It's brutal news for a Red Sox team that already seemed a little light on rotation depth. Giolito's two-year, $38.5 million contract contains an opt-out after the first year, but he surely wouldn't exercise that if he winds up requiring surgery. Worth noting is that Jordan Montgomery remains a free agent and has been heavily connected to the Red Sox. If Boston fills Giolito's spot internally, it opens the door for both Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock in the rotation.

France (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Wednesday and is on track to begin the season in the Astros' rotation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

France came into camp battling some right shoulder inflammation but has made steady progress since then. He should be cleared for games soon after if Wednesday's live BP session goes well, giving him time to ramp up for Opening Day.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Giolito felt right elbow soreness after his last Grapefruit League appearance and is not expected to be ready Opening Day, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito will have the elbow checked out before more is known, but Cora admitted to being concerned about the right-hander, suggesting this could be a long-term absence. Both Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock would now appear locks for the Red Sox rotation, although the calls for the team to sign Jordan Montgomery no doubt will grow louder.

Baz's (elbow) throwing program will be delayed by about a week after he tweaked his oblique while picking up a weight, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was close to being cleared to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring, but that will now be pushed back a bit. The young right-hander is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery but will begin the season in extended spring training as the Rays build him up slowly. It's unclear as to when Baz will be ready to make his season debut.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander has not encountered any setbacks and continues to progress well as he works his way back from an offseason right shoulder issue. However, the 41-year-old simply needs more time. Verlander has been throwing bullpen sessions but has not yet been cleared for live batting practice. It's not clear whether he will be able to get into any Grapefruit League games before the exhibition schedule wraps up. If Verlander is placed on the IL Opening Day, he would first be eligible to return April 11, although it would appear far from a given that he's ready at that time.

Bradish (elbow) played catch from 140 feet Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish noted afterward that his right elbow still feels good and also added that 140 feet is about the maximum distance from which he usually plays catch. That could indicate he'll be cleared to throw from a mound soon, although it has not yet been revealed when that will happen. Bradish is working his way back from a partial UCL tear in his pitching elbow and will begin the season on the injured list, but he remains hopeful of avoiding surgery.

Detmers pitched 1.2 innings in a Cactus League start against San Diego on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Spring training is generally a time to shake off rust, so Detmers' struggles shouldn't be read into too deeply. Still, it wasn't a promising performance from a hurler who is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Detmers' 9.3 percent walk rate last season was in the 35th percentile leaguewide, and improving upon that number could be key in allowing him to reach the potential the Angels assessed when selecting him 10th overall in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. His next opportunity to pitch this spring will likely come Wednesday.

Lopez gave up two runs with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his second spring outing to raise his Grapefruit League ERA to 7.20. However, Lopez says he's been experimenting with different pitches rather than focusing on results, including throwing a rare 0-2 sinker to a lefty (Matt Olson), the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "It didn't work out. He hit it like 600 feet to center," Lopez said.

Lopez has already been named Minnesota's Opening Day starter March 28 against Kansas City, so he has no worries about his performance this spring. He's healthy and working on different pitches and looks sharp early in the spring. The right-hander's first season in Minnesota was the best of his career, with Lopez collecting a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234:48 K:BB over 194 innings.

Medina left Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds due to a right knee sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina allowed one run on no hits and one walk over 1.1 innings while striking out three before leaving the game. The status for his next start is up in the air while the team monitors how he recovers over the next few days. The right-hander entered spring training gunning for a spot in the Athletics' rotation. Medina had a 3-10 record over 17 starts with a 5.42 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 106:57 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2023, his first season in the majors.