MLB Player News

Rodriguez allowed one run on two hits and struck out six over five innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Twins.

Rodriguez, who was named Boston's Opening Day starter earlier in the day, dominated Minnesota, needing just 51 pitches to get 15 outs. In three Grapefruit League starts, the left-handed Rodriguez has a 2.31 ERA with 14 strikeouts and no walks over 11.2 innings.

Teheran pitched four scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and struck out seven.

Teheran's velocity has reportedly been up this spring and it showed on Wednesday with the seven strikeouts. The righty now has a 2.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 12 Grapefruit League innings, making a very compelling case for a rotation spot.

Whitley underwent Tommy John elbow surgery Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Whitley felt discomfort in the elbow while throwing live batting practice earlier this month and could not avoid surgery. He faces a 12-to-14 month recovery period and could possibly pitch during the second half of 2022.

Giolito allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Giolito elevated his pitch count to 65 and had to work through a couple of high-volume innings to get there. The right-hander took an optimistic view, telling Scott Merkin of MLB.com that a pitcher needs to grind through situations that he might face during the regular season. "It's good to get reps in pitching with runners in scoring position, getting the pitch count above 20 in an inning," said Giolito. "I felt like I made good pitches when I needed to. I think the plan originally was to go four innings, but the pitch count got a little too high there." Giolito will have two more spring starts before pitching Opening Day against the Angels.

Skubal pitched three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and three walks while striking out six.

The three walks were the only blemish for the lefty, as he was otherwise completely locked in across his 70 pitches. Skubal has now tossed eight scoreless innings this spring with 12 strikeouts, and if there was any doubt about him securing a rotation spot to start the season, he's probably put that to rest. The 24-year-old posted a 5.63 ERA and 37 strikeouts across 32 innings in his MLB debut last season, and he could be poised for a step forward in 2021.

Valdez won't require surgery as his fractured left ring finger showed "significant healing" during Wednesday's evaluation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Season-ending surgery was recommended for the 27-year-old after he suffered the injury in early March, but he opted to hold off and still has a chance to pitch this season. Valdez won't be ready for the start of the season and remains without an official recovery timeline, so it's unclear when he might be able to retake the mound.

Houck was optioned to Boston's alternate training site Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Houck was competing for a back-end rotation spot during spring training, but manager Alex Cora named his five-man rotation Tuesday. Houck wasn't included among the starters, and he should begin the year with Triple-A Worcester. The right-hander made three appearances (one start) this spring and allowed six runs on six hits and 10 walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings.

Manager Alex Cora said Rodriguez will receive the start for the Red Sox's April 1 season opener versus the Orioles, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Based on how Boston's pitching schedule had lined up this spring, Rodriguez had already appeared to be trending toward the Opening Day nod, but it wasn't until after the lefty's third Grapefruit League outing Wednesday that he was locked in for the Red Sox's first game of the season. He was sensational in his latest turn on the mound, limiting the Twins to one run on two hits and no walks while striking out six over five innings. Rodriguez delivered similarly excellent results in his first two starts of the spring, and at this point, he looks to be back in top form after he was sidelined for the 2020 season when he was diagnosed with a heart condition following his positive COVID-19 test over the summer. He returned as a full participant for the start of camp and has thus far avoided any reported setbacks or complications.

Verlander (elbow) has resumed throwing, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander is on the 60-day injured list and is expected to miss the entire 2021 campaign after he underwent Tommy John surgery in early October. However, the 38-year-old is progressing well in his recovery and threw for the first time five months after his surgery. Verlander is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2021 season but has expressed interest in continuing his career once he's healthy.

Houck allowed three runs on three hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's spring game against Atlanta.

Houck's mission was to pound the strike zone as he did in his second spring start, but he walked two batters and hit one in the first inning. He's now sandwiched two shaky, command-challenged outings around a dominant start in Grapefruit League play. The right-hander has permitted 10 walks and hit a batter over 6.1 innings. Boston manager Alex Cora named his five-man rotation Tuesday, and Houck will not be part of it. He will likely start at Triple-A Worcester and work through his location issues.