MLB Player News

Odorozzi will make a start Thursday at the Astros' alternate site, facing off against the Rangers.

Due to signing with the Astros late in winter, Odorizzi was delayed in his build-up program compared to Houston's other starters during spring training, resulting in him being held off the Opening Day roster. As Jake Kaplan of The Athletic notes, Odorizzi will be fully stretched out for a starting duty following Thursday's game, so his next outing should come with Houston. He tentatively lines up to make his Astros debut April 13 or 14 versus the Tigers.

Astros general manager James Click said Thursday that Valdez (finger) has resumed playing catch off flat ground, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Just over a month after suffering a fractured left ring finger that was initially expected to require surgery, Valdez is initiating a throwing program. Houston likely won't have a definitive target date for the southpaw's 2021 debut until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's pitching in simulated games or minor-league rehab games, but he'll essentially have to complete his normal spring-training build-up program all over again following his shutdown. If he experiences no discomfort while gradually increasing his throwing distance off flat ground for the next week or two, he could then be cleared to step back on the mound for bullpen sessions.

Paxton (forearm) will get a second opinion on his MRI results, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Paxton was placed on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a left forearm strain during Tuesday's loss to the White Sox. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday, but he won't have a timetable for his return before he receives a second opinion on the test results. Nick Margevicius is expected to serve as the sixth man in Seattle's rotation while Paxton is sidelined.

Rodriguez (arm) was officially reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Orioles.

Rodriguez missed all of last season after developing a heart condition following his battle with COVID-19. Given that context, it's perhaps no surprise that he battled a dead arm late in camp and opened the season on the injured list. After missing just one start, he'll get what should be a fairly friendly matchup for his season debut.

Sale (elbow) has advanced to throwing off flat ground from 120 feet but has yet to get back on a mound, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Sale is expected to return from Tommy John surgery sometime in the middle of this season, as he underwent the procedure last March, but the Red Sox haven't offered any specific timeline. He's behind schedule due to a pair of setbacks, though neither one was arm-related, as he battled neck stiffness and then COVID-19 over the winter.

Taillon allowed two runs on three hits while striking out seven across 4.2 innings in Wednesday's game against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Taillon was once considered the next big pitching prospect for the Pirates before two Tommy John surgeries and a run-in with testicular cancer halted his career progression. Finally healthy once again, everyone was intrigued to see how the 29-year-old would bounce back in his return to the mound, and he did not disappoint. Taillon didn't allow a baserunner through three innings but was punished in the fourth when he allowed two solo home runs in a span of three hitters. He ultimately was pulled after 74 pitches -- no surprise, as manager Aaron Boone said before the season that the team would be cautious with his workload early on. Taillon would've had a phenomenal outing if not for the two home runs allowed; however, he did record his final six outs via strikeout and did not issue any walks. He's expected to make his next appearance Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Means allowed one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Means limited the Yankees' big bats from making too much noise, as all seven hits he let up were singles, but they were able to get to him a bit in the third inning. They started off with back-to-back singles before Aaron Hicks eventually provided a third base hit to drive Gardner home for an early 1-0 lead. Despite only allowing one run, the Yankees made Means work for every out, as he was eventually pulled after just 4.2 innings with his pitch count already at 93. Fantasy managers have to like what they've seen so far from the 27-year-old, as he's let up just one run in 11.2 innings thus far. He'll look to continue his solid start to the season Tuesday in what should be a favorable matchup against the Mariners.

Dunn hurled 4.2 innings against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing three runs on one hit and eight walks while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

Typically, a starter giving up just one hit would be cause for congratulations, but Dunn was so wild Wednesday -- he yielded an astonishing eight walks -- that he wasn't able to work past the fifth inning. The right-hander was particularly out of control in that fifth frame, when he issued four free passes, including one with the bases loaded that gave Chicago its first run. Dunn will need to be more effective moving forward if he hopes to stick in the rotation. His next chance to prove his value will come Wednesday at Baltimore.

Keuchel pitched five innings against Seattle on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

Keuchel was a little better than in his first start of the campaign, when he allowed six runs (three earned) over four-plus frames, but he still didn't broach the craftiness of last season that led him to post a career-best 1.99 ERA. The southpaw exited with a chance for a win, however, before reliever Matt Foster let things get away by allowing six baserunners while recording only two outs. Keuchel next's opportunity to nab his first win of the campaign will come Tuesday at home versus Cleveland.

Ray (elbow) felt good after throwing 63 pitches during a simulated game Wednesday, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

Pitching coach Pete Walker said over the weekend the left-hander is "really close" to returning from the injured list, so the simulated game may have been the final step before being activated. If that's the case, Ray likely won't be immediately ready for a full starter's workload given he hasn't cleared the 70-pitch mark in his rehab work.