MLB Player News

Kluber was removed from Sunday's start against the Rockies after experiencing tightness in the back of his right shoulder.

The 34-year-old completed one scoreless inning but didn't retake the field for his second frame due to the injury. Kluber's availability going forward is now in question, and he's scheduled to be evaluated further Monday.

Kluber was removed after allowing one walk and recording one strikeout during a scoreless first inning Sunday versus the Rockies, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran right-hander didn't appear to suffer an obvious injury, but he was replaced by Joe Palumbo for the start of the second inning. The Rangers will likely update Kluber's status sometime this afternoon.

Odorizzi (back) is scheduled to pitch against live hitters early this week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old opened the season on the 10-day injured list after experiencing back stiffness last weekend, and he's eligible to return from the shelf Thursday. If all goes well Odorizzi could take the mound during the four-game set against Cleveland next weekend.

Luzardo, who fired three scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording two strikeouts in a loss to the Angels on Saturday, could make his next appearance as a starter, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "We'll see," manager Bob Melvin said. "I think nowadays, if you can throw 60 to 65 pitches, you might be in a position to start. We're right on the border there, so we'll see. Maybe we get him one more outing and we're in a good position to start him, or maybe not."

After J.B. Wendelken came on to get the last out of the fifth inning Saturday, Melvin made good on his pledge to have Luzardo pitch as early as the second game of the season by giving the young left-hander a solid workload. Luzardo recorded his nine outs on an efficient 44 pitches, and the southpaw hit the ground running with a strikeout of Justin Upton that featured three straight fastballs of 97 mph or higher. Melvin was unsurprisingly effusive in his praise of Luzardo following the outing, noting the young hurler "came through with flying colors" after a significantly delayed arrival to summer camp relegated him to a relief role to start the campaign.

Cortes fired 1.1 innings in a loss to the Astros on Saturday, allowing one hit in the form of a solo home run and no walks. He also recorded a strikeout.

Cortes fired 10 of 15 pitches for strikes, but his one mistake resulted in a 402-foot homer by George Springer in the sixth to close out the scoring for both clubs. Cortes made the Opening Day roster with an impressive spring training and summer camp, and despite Saturday's one hiccup, he could see a steady stream of work as a left-handed relief option capable of working multiple innings.

Rodriguez (illness) said he's taking the next week off from baseball activities but has not considered opting out of the 2020 season, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

The 27-year-old developed myocarditis -- an inflammation of the heart -- as a result of his battle with COVID-19, but he said Sunday that he "love[s] the sport too much" to consider opting out. Rodriguez will be restricted from any physical activity that's more strenuous than walking for the next week. The left-hander still hopes to pitch again in 2020, but it remains to be seen if/when that becomes medically realistic.

Snell is expected to throw two or three innings Sunday against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 27-year-old threw 47 pitches during his final intrasquad appearance last week, and it appears he'll begin the season with a similar workload. It's a significant hit to his Snell's fantasy value, as he's essentially operating as an opener and won't qualify for a potential win.

Glasnow will take it one inning at a time in Monday's home start against the Braves, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He threw three innings in his final exhibition start in camp and was just so-so, as he struck out five but walked four. It sounds like Glasnow could theoretically go five-plus innings if he's on, but it also wouldn't be surprising if he didn't go deep enough to qualify for a win in his first start of the season. He lines up for a two-step, with his second start of the week coming in Baltimore over the weekend.

Singer allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision against the Indians on Saturday.

The 23-year-old allowed a run to score on a wild pitch but had good command for the most part and induced 14 swinging strikes on 80 pitches. Singer impressed in spring training and summer camp to earn a spot in the Royals' starting rotation, and if this performance is any indication, he isn't going anywhere. Up next is a road start in Detroit before a two-step the week of Aug. 3 (@CHC, vs. MIN).

Clevinger allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Saturday. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

His season got off to a rough start, with Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez hitting back-to-back homers off Clevinger in the first inning. However, Clevinger settled in nicely and got through seven on 90 pitches, allowing just two hits the rest of the way. The right-hander now lines up for three consecutive road starts: at Minnesota, at Cincinnati, at the White Sox.