MLB Player News

Bello's (forearm) status and timetable are expected to become clearer next week, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com Thursday.

Bello had some right forearm soreness crop up in mid-February, though he resumed throwing off a mound last weekend and hasn't had any issues since then. Realistically, he's running short on time to get built up for Boston's rotation, but if he needs an injured list stint to begin the season it doesn't seem like it would be a long one. With Bello and Garrett Whitlock (hip) a little behind in camp, it could open up a rotation spot for Tanner Houck, at least initially.

Wells (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Braves, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles have been slow-playing Wells in camp after he ended last season with right shoulder inflammation. He's been feeling fine, though, and is ready to test things out in game action. The right-hander is competing for a spot in the Orioles' rotation, so he's surely eager to get going.

Whitlock (hip) will throw two innings of live batting practice Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game yet, as the Red Sox are easing him into things as he works his way back from hip surgery. It remains possible the right-hander will need a stint on the injured list to start the season, but any potential absence isn't expected to be significant. Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that more will be known about Whitlock's status next week.

Kikuchi walked one and struck out two over two scoreless, no-hit innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The southpaw has gotten his spring off to a quick start as he looks to secure the fifth starter role for the Blue Jays, tossing four scoreless innings in two starts with seven strikeouts and only one free pass. Kikuchi has struggled during his four years in MLB after a strong career in Japan, but he still has quality stuff and Toronto believes he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Robbie Ray as a successful reclamation project for pitching coach Pete Walker.

Kaprielian (shoulder) is set to throw a two-inning simulated game Thursday.

The recovering right-hander threw a successful live batting practice Sunday as he continues to work his way back from November shoulder surgery. The simulated game is another important step in a quest to make the season-opening starting rotation, one manager Mark Kotsay still feels Kaprielian can pull off if he doesn't experience any setbacks.

German hurled 2.1 innings against Washington in a Grapefruit League game Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out three batters.

After Clarke Schmidt began his spring with a dominant start Sunday, the pressure was on German -- who is competing with Schmidt for the Yankees' fifth-starter role -- to keep pace. German did just that Wednesday, as the only tally against him came in the third inning, when he allowed an infield single to begin the frame that the Nationals converted to a run after German departed the contest. The position battle between German and Schmidt is one to keep an eye on throughout March, and it's quite possible that whichever pitcher has the better spring will end up in the rotation to start the campaign while the other begins in the bullpen.

Cole is expected to start Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Cole has been tossing bullpen sessions but has yet to throw in a game this spring. He'll likely toe the mound against Detroit on Friday, though Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports that New York is "leaving the door open" for the veteran right-hander to toss a live BP session instead. Cole will enter the regular season as the team's ace after posting a 3.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 257:50 K:BB over 200.2 innings last season.

Chirinos is a leading candidate to enter the Rays rotation in the absence of Tyler Glasnow (oblique), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos has thrown just 18.1 innings since the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He did make a spot start toward the end of the 2022 campaign, delivering four scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. After rejoining the Rays on a one-year deal this offseason, Chirinos looked like a fringe candidate to make the roster out of spring training. However, he could now be in line for a far more significant role.

McClanahan allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

McClanahan was on the mound for game action for the first time in 2023, and his outing was a success based on the stat sheet. Per Dawn Klemish of MLB.com, McClanahan worked through adjustments related to the pitch clock, as he noticed he was working too fast and his control was suffering as a result. The issue doesn't currently pose any reason for concern, as McClanahan specifically pointed out he was using the exhibition season to adjust to the new rule.

Sale (wrist) is officially scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday versus the Tigers, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Sale threw a successful live batting practice session Wednesday and is now ready for a taste of real competition. The 33-year-old left-hander was limited to 5.2 major-league innings (two starts) last season due to a range of different injuries, but he entered this spring with zero limitations and might just be ready to return to ace-like status in 2023.