MLB Player News

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Kopech could be used as a reliever, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kopech opted to sit out the 2020 season and hasn't thrown in a game since a one-inning stint in spring training last March, just before MLB was shut down. Prior to that, he missed several months following Tommy John elbow surgery in 2018. As such, Hahn, who describes Kopech as a long-term starter, mentioned the possibility of a bullpen role as a way to manage his innings and preserve him for a September/October run. The White Sox have no shortage of rotation candidates, so it's not vital for Kopech to work as a starter from the get-go in 2021.

Manager Kevin Cash relayed Saturday that pitching coach Kyle Snyder was extremely impressed with McClanahan's fastball velocity and breaking ball in a recent bullpen session, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw made his big-league debut in the postseason against the Yankees last October, and he heads into spring training firmly in the mix for a bullpen role. McClanahan's last minor-league stop was Double-A Montgomery back in 2019, when he scuffled to an 8.35 ERA and 1.99 WHIP over a modest four-start sample that covered 18.1 innings. McClanahan also made quite the impression on bullpen catcher Misha Dworken, who labeled the session as good as any he's ever caught.

Eovaldi threw his first live batting practice of spring training Saturday and is at full health, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Eovaldi noted after the session that his arm felt fresh and said the decreased workload of the 2020 season could benefit his potential to stay healthy in 2021. In eight full seasons in the majors, Eovaldi has topped 150 innings only twice. In nine starts last year, he posted a solid 3.72 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 52:7 K:BB across 48.1 frames.

Bieber (illness) reported to spring training Saturday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Bieber missed the first few days of camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he has been cleared to return and will join the team for workouts Saturday. The right-hander will now begin building up ahead of Opening Day as he prepares to serve as Cleveland's ace after unanimously winning the AL Cy Young award last season.

Wentz (elbow) said Saturday that he could begin a rehab assignment in late April or early May, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Wentz has ramped up his throwing program early in spring training and began mound work Friday. He underwent Tommy John surgery last March but was optimistic about his status Saturday and said that he hopes to be back on an active roster by late May or early June. Whether he's able to meet his goals depends on his progress during camp, but the southpaw has been on the right track so far.

Whitley (arm) has yet to arrive at spring training, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley is currently in West Palm Beach, but he hasn't yet reported to camp for an unspecified reason. Manager Dusty Baker said that his late arrival isn't related to the arm issue that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season, but it's not yet clear when he'll join the team. If he's fully healthy, Whitley could make his major-league debut at some point in 2021.

Gibson is the likely Opening Day starter for Texas, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gibson is an unlikely No. 1 starter, particularly after posting a 5.35 ERA in 2020. He's never thrown more than 200 innings in any season and averaged 173 innings over six seasons as a full-time starter for the Twins.

Greinke is not yet at spring training but is expected to join camp by the mandatory report date, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke did the same thing last year, arriving at camp 10 days after other pitchers reported. MLB's mandatory report date this season is Feb. 27. Greinke lives in the Orlando area and will work out there -- last year, he worked out at Rollins College -- until then.

Kluber stated Friday that he has had no setbacks with his right shoulder and that he is on a normal preparation schedule at this point in the spring, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Kluber pitched only one inning last season due to a Grade 2 tear of the teres minor muscle in his right shoulder, but he indicated that he doesn't feel as if he is still rehabbing the shoulder. "I've had no issues with it now or anywhere along the rehab process," Kluber said. "That's encouraging. Honestly, I don't feel like I'm still working on improving the shoulder or anything like that. I think it's in a spot where, like any part of your body, it takes maintenance throughout the year. But I'm not putting any more emphasis on that than I am anything else at this point." The Yankees are counting on Kluber to fill a spot near the top of their rotation, though there are legitimate questions about his arsenal now that he's a few months away from turning 35. In addition, the 2017 AL Cy Young Award winner has hurled only 36.2 frames over the past two seasons and was already experiencing a drop in velocity during his last healthy season (2018).

Teheran signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday that includes an invite to spring training, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Teheran held a showcase in January, but he ended up having to settle for a minor-league deal. His contract with Detroit will earn him $3 million if he makes the big-league roster, however. The right-hander made 10 appearances (nine starts) for the Angels last season, posting a 10.05 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 31.1 innings.