MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that it's "realistic" that Sale (wrist) will be ready to go for Opening Day, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Cora's comments came after Sale threw his first bullpen session of the spring Wednesday and apparently checked out fine. Sale, who is scheduled to throw another side session Saturday, looks as though he'll be going through a relatively normal throwing progression this spring, despite ending the 2022 campaign on the shelf due to a fractured right wrist that he had surgically repaired. The Red Sox are still likely to proceed cautiously with the southpaw this spring due to his injury history and veteran status, so he may not immediately be worked into Grapefruit League rotation like some of the other pitchers who are competing for roster spots and/or starting roles in camp.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that DeGrom felt tightness in his left side during a bullpen session earlier this week and won't throw again for another day or two, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Though anything remotely injury related pertaining to deGrom is sure to raise concerns for fantasy managers, Levi Weaver of The Athletic relays that the Rangers said that the side issue isn't serious and would be something the star right-hander would be able to pitch through during the regular season. However, with spring training in its earliest stage and due to the unseasonably cold weather in Arizona, Young said the Rangers opted to delay deGrom's next throwing session out of "an abundance of caution." Those invested in deGrom will still want to check back on the news over the next few days to ensure that he did in fact resume his throwing program, as Young suggested will be the case.

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said Wednesday that Montas (shoulder) is continuing to undergo testing, and a surgical option remains "on the table" for the right-hander, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Montas has been diagnosed only with right shoulder inflammation at the moment, but the injury is considered serious enough to sideline him for at least the first month of the 2023 season. Further tests will reveal whether Montas will be sidelined beyond April, and a potential surgery could shelve the 29-year-old for a large chunk of campaign, though Blake did note that a procedure wouldn't necessarily be season-ending. Fantasy managers who are considering stashing Montas in a reserve slot will want to keep a keen eye on updates on his status in the coming days.

Mize (elbow/back) is scheduled to begin a throwing progression this week, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

According to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Mize underwent a previously undisclosed back surgery last summer, around the same time he had his Tommy John surgery in June. Mize's recovery from the back procedure delayed the start of his throwing program, but the fact that he's been cleared to start playing catch this week suggests that rehabbing the surgically repaired elbow is the greater concern at this juncture. Even if he avoids any setbacks with his back and/or elbow, he'll still be sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2023 season while he embarks on a long rehab program. Mize is still likely at least a couple months away from facing hitters, and until he's able to reach that phase of his recovery, the Tigers aren't expected to offer a target date for him to resume pitching in games.

Sale (wrist), who is set to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, is scheduled to throw a second one Saturday before facing hitters next week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Sale is getting early work in what is being described as a "normal spring," something the left-hander hasn't experienced since 2019. Injuries have limited him to just 11 starts since, but if he remains healthy this spring, the 33-year-old Sale is expected to be Boston's No. 1 starter.

Clevinger, who remains under MLB investigation after being accused of domestic violence in January, is eligible to participate in spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

With the White Sox having not placed Clevinger on administrative leave, he looks on track to report to spring training this week as he begins preparations for the 2023 season. The 32-year-old, who signed with Chicago this offseason, could be available to pitch until the league completes its investigation.

Faedo (hip) told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com on Tuesday that he feels great and is ready to compete for an Opening Day roster spot.

Faedo pitched brilliantly over his first seven major-league starts last season and then got hammered in the next five. He ultimately posted a 5.53 ERA in 53.2 innings (12 starts) with the Tigers before undergoing surgery in late July to repair a torn labrum and torn capsule in his right hip. The 27-year-old is hoping to challenge for a starting job this spring, but he might wind up in long relief or in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo.

Canning (back) is a full-go at Angels camp this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Canning did not pitch at any level in 2022 because of a stress fracture in his lower back, but he enjoyed a fairly normal offseason and already has several bullpen sessions under his belt. If his health cooperates, the 26-year-old right-hander should again emerge as an option for the Angels' six-man rotation here in 2023. He holds a 4.73 ERA and 214:81 K:BB through 209.1 career major-league innings.

Sale (wrist) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday in Red Sox camp, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Abraham notes that this will be the first "normal spring" for Sale in the last 3-4 years. The left-hander missed the first half of the 2022 season due to a stress fracture in his ribcage and then suffered a broken wrist in a bicycle accident in August, ultimately logging just two total appearances for Boston. But both of those injuries are now in the rearview and he'll be looking to return to top-flight form in 2023.

Paxton (lat) is a full participant at the beginning of Red Sox camp, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Paxton signed with the Red Sox last offseason while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he's yet to debut for them after suffering a Grade 2 left lat strain in August. The left-hander doesn't have any restrictions right now, so Boston is planning for him to be part of its Opening Day rotation. Paxton's upside is undeniable, but he's made just six major-league starts and one rehab start since 2020.