MLB Player News

Rodon (elbow) should be ready to pitch at some point near the start of the regular season or shortly thereafter, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have five set starters ready to throw when MLB's season resumes around July 23 or 24, but they will get an added boost with both Rodon and Michael Kopech coming off Tommy John elbow surgery. Rodon had talked about being ready to pitch by June, so it's likely he'll be contributing at some point. With starters not expected to pitch deep into games initially, both Rodon and Kopech could be used as openers or in piggy-back situations.

Verlander (groin/lat) told manager Dusty Baker that he's healthy and pain free, though Baker noted "we don't know yet" about his endurance, Brandon Scott of 610 Sports Radio reports.

It's not confirmation that Verlander will be ready to go when Opening Day comes around a month from now, but it appears things are trending in that direction. The veteran right-hander underwent right groin surgery in mid-March and also dealt with a lat strain, but he may not end up missing any games due to the shortened season. Verlander has been throwing since April and has been working off a mound since at least mid-June, though the specifics of his workouts remain unclear. More information should be available once players officially report to team facilities next week.

Boyd said he's thrown one simulated game per week during the layoff to stay ready for game action, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Boyd added that he recently got up to five innings of work. The lefty can now set his sights toward Opening Day, which is slated for about a month from now following a second spring training in early July. Detroit and other MLB teams are likely to be cautious with their starters to begin the abbreviated season, so Boyd may not go past five innings on the mound anytime soon.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he's "very" hopeful that Canning (elbow) will be ready for Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

There was no chance Canning would have been a go for the original Opening Day, but he may have had enough extra recovery time to secure a spot on the season-opening 30-man roster. As of last month, Canning had built up to 55 pitches in live BP sessions. His MRI in late February showed "chronic changes" to the UCL in Canning's pitching arm, so the concerns about his elbow will not be going away anytime soon even if Canning does gain clearance for the start of the 2020 campaign.

Mariners CEO John Stanton said Wednesday on 710 ESPN Seattle that Kirby will likely be on the 30-man taxi squad this year, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Mega prospects Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez are expected to join Kirby on the taxi squad, and we will likely see many of the game's top prospects on their respective taxi squads given that those players are not expected to accumulate major-league service time. A first-round pick last year, Kirby shined with short-season Everett, posting a perfect 25:0 K:BB in 23 innings. As a member of the taxi squad, he will be able to work out with the team and can be added to the big-league roster as needed.

Mariners CEO John Stanton said Wednesday on 710 ESPN Seattle that he expects Gilbert to be on the 30-man taxi squad this year, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Members of the taxi squad are not expected to accumulate major-league service time, so we will likely see Gilbert along with fellow Mariners top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez on the squad. This will be a way to make sure those players are staying fresh and not stagnating while also providing depth to the major-league team. Taxi squad members can work out with the team and will be eligible to be added to the major-league roster as needed. Gilbert reached Double-A last year at the age of 22 and thrived with a 2.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB in 50 innings at that level.

Verlander (groin/lat) posted a video Monday on his personal Instagram account featuring him throwing a bullpen session. "Ready. Let's go!!" Verlander captioned the video.

Though the Astros have yet to confirm that Verlander will be ready to pitch when the MLB season resumes, the two-time Cy Young winner's ability to complete a bullpen session suggests he's moved past the groin surgery he required and the mild right lat strain he developed during spring training. Verlander will presumably ramp up the intensity of his throwing sessions at home in the next few weeks before likely reporting back to the Astros with few restrictions, if any, when teams are allowed to reconvene.

Snell threw 15 fastballs during a bullpen session Friday, marking the first time he's thrown off a mound since mid-March, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

There's no word of a snag with Snell's session, so his throwing program seems to be going on without a hitch. Barring a setback of some kind, Snell should be available for the start of the 2020 season, when or if it commences.

Glasnow is "ready right now" to begin the regular season according to Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Glasnow was not one of the pitchers who had a chance to throw off a mound at Tropicana Field on Friday under Snyder's supervision. However, the towering southpaw has been able to throw regular bullpen sessions in his local area while spring training has been suspended and has kept in regular contact with his pitching coach. Snyder is evidently impressed with the ongoing work Glasnow has been putting in to make such a proclamation, and the coach's optimism seems supported by the 26-year-old's on-field results. Glasnow followed up a stellar 1.78 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 76:14 K:BB across 12 starts last season with a pair of scoreless appearances in Grapefruit League action before play was paused.

Chirinos was one of several Rays pitchers that was able to throw off a mound Friday at Tropicana Field, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos took advantage of the first opportunity to utilize the bullpen mounds since workouts resumed May 25, and he, along with teammates Charlie Morton, Ryan Yarbrough and Brendan McKay, received high marks from pitching coach Kyle Snyder for their readiness. The right-hander scuffled some during his Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was suspended, but considering his versatility and the likelihood teams work with expanded staffs in any potential 2020 season that unfolds, Chirinos appears slated for consistent starts if and when the campaign kicks off.