MLB Player News

Perez threw 73 pitches over four-plus innings Thursday against Kansas City minor leaguers, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Perez made his first appearance since returning from the World Baseball Classic, during which he threw just 3.1 innings over two weeks. The relative inactivity did not impact the left-hander's ability to build up for the regular season. He struck out eight and walked two before departing in the fifth. He'll make one more spring start, this time in the Cactus League, against Kansas City next Tuesday.

Kirby fired five no-hit innings in Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Dodgers, allowing one walk while recording nine strikeouts.

Kirby's near-perfect showing was an excellent tune-up for the regular season, with the right-hander needing just 37 pitches to get through his five frames. Kirby has now pitched 8.1 scoreless frames over his last two spring training starts, portending a standout second season following his impressive 3.39 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across his first 25 big-league starts in 2022.

Mahle gave up three earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 4.2 innings during Thursday's spring training loss to Tampa Bay. His spring ERA increased to 5.93. His fastball velocity did increase to a 92.1 to 94.6 mph range, however, from his last spring start when he was in the 89-93 mph range.

Mahle's fastball velocity was noticeably down during his last spring start which was a little concerning, but it doesn't appear to be an issue. Mahle is having a rough spring with 23 hits and three home runs allowed in 13.2 innings, though he also has a 12:5 K:BB ratio. Mahle is a veteran who has a set spot in the rotation, so his stats may not matter as he builds up strength for the season. Most importantly, he looks healthy after an injury-plagued 2022 campaign. Mahle struggled with a sore shoulder last year, ending his season in early September.

Giolito was sitting between 91 and 94 mph with his fastball during his Cactus League start Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

For much of Giolito's career, he's averaged around 94 mph with his fastball. That number dipped to 92.7 during a subpar 2022 campaign, so it's slightly concerning that he's struggled to ramp his velocity back up. On the other hand, he's racked up 15 strikeouts across only 9.1 frames while maintaining a respectable 3.86 ERA in Cactus League games this spring. Overall, Goilito will be hoping to bounce back from last season's 4.90 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, which he posted across 161.2 frames.

Severino tossed four innings in a Grapefruit League game against Detroit on Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out nine batters.

Severino gave up another long ball -- his sixth in 15 spring frames -- during the outing, but he also racked up nine punchouts. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Severino had the "best breaking ball and slider he's had all spring," per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, so the right-hander may be close to ready for the regular season. Severino is expected to work as New York's fourth starter during the coming campaign.

Kopech said he was pitching through a respiratory issue during his Cactus League start Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The ailment was evident as he sounded hoarse during his post-outing chat with the media, per Van Schouwen. Kopech got knocked around for five earned runs on seven hits and four walks over just three innings of work against the Giants. He said he struggled to find his timing, probably because he wasn't feeling 100 percent. The 26-year-old remains locked into a spot in Chicago's season-opening starting rotation.

Rucinski (hamstring) threw on flat ground Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rucinski came down with some left hamstring tightness earlier this week and had to be scratched from what would have been his fourth Cactus League start. A's manager Mark Kotsay said after Thursday's workout that the team is "hopeful it's resolved prior to Opening Day."

Lynch was removed from Kansas City's Cactus League game against San Diego on Thursday with an apparent shoulder issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch seemed to know something was wrong immediately after throwing a pitch, pointing at his shoulder and motioning for a trainer to come onto the field. The team will look at his shoulder and provide further updates, but early signs are not reassuring for the 26-year-old lefty.

Kikuchi is slated to open the season in the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kikuchi enjoyed his best start of the Grapefruit League schedule Thursday against the Twins, striking out nine batters over five scoreless innings. That put him at 25 strikeouts through 18 innings this spring, though he has also issued 10 walks. It's difficult to expect much consistency from the 31-year-old left-hander leading into the 2023 campaign after his rough showing in 2022, which saw him finish with a 5.19 ERA. Mitch White (shoulder) could eventually be an option to unseat him in that No. 5 spot in the rotation.

The White Sox optioned Martin to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The right-hander has struggled with a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings of Grapefruit League action. That said, Martin did post a respectable, albeit unimpressive 4.83 ERA and provided rotation depth last season, so he's a likely bet to rejoin the White Sox at some point in 2023.