MLB Player News

Montgomery has worked on a "less-exaggerated angular delivery" as well as getting more extension on his changeup and putting reduced stress on his arm since returning from Tommy John surgery last season, Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com reports.

Montgomery was impressive in Grapefruit League action, posting a 16:1 K:BB over 11 innings. That helped him ascend to the No. 4 spot in the Yankees' rotation before play was suspended, though a possible return to health of James Paxton (back) by the start of the rescheduled regular season could push Montgomery back to a fifth-starter role. Still, a place anywhere in the team's rotation should be considered a noteworthy success given the fact that Montgomery hurled a mere 7.2 frames across all levels in 2019.

Keuchel may be better prepared for the pandemic-induced layoff than other starters, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

Keuchel, like every MLB starter, is coping with the layoff, but he was in the same position in 2019. A free agent at this time last year, Keuchel did not sign with the Braves until after June's amateur draft. The left-hander kept his arm in shape at home in Newport Beach (Calif.). "I was throwing every fifth day just like in spring training," he said. "Physically, I was so in shape that I was ready to go but until you get that major-league adrenaline and atmosphere out there, it's tough to duplicate." Keuchel, who is lining up to be the second starter behind Lucas Giolito, offers balance in the rotation as a lefty who doesn't overpower opponents with a high-velocity fastball.

Verlander said Thursday that he's doing "very well" in his recovery from groin surgery and a right lat strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Particularly this week, I've made a big stride forward," Verlander noted, regarding his progression through a throwing program.

Verlander appears to be more concerned about the health of his lat rather than his groin at this juncture, as he noted that he's not quite throwing long toss at 100 percent as a safeguard against re-injuring his lat. The fact that he's pleased with where he stands in his recovery at this stage can at least be taken as a positive sign, and the 37-year-old looks like he'll be on track to make regular starts for Houston whenever the MLB season resumes.

Wentz (elbow) is beginning his rehab from Tommy John surgery at the Tigers' spring training facility in Florida, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wentz underwent the procedure in mid-March, and he is now one of just three Detroit players currently still in Lakeland, joining Michael Fulmer (elbow) and Shao-Ching Chiang. The 22-year-old will of course ease into activity, but he should be able to continue his rehab work in relative isolation while MLB play is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Wentz will still likely be out until the second half of the 2021 season.

Paxton (back) recently completed his fifth bullpen session since resuming a throwing program in March, Brendan Kuty of NorthJersey.com reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided a positive update about Paxton on Thursday, indicating that he's "really encouraged" by the southpaw's progress and that the recovery process from February back surgery has "gone pretty smoothly." Paxton remains on track to be ready to pitch in games by late May or early June barring any setbacks.

Montgomery was lauded Wednesday by Yankees vice president of baseball operations Tim Naehring for his performance this spring, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

In an interview with Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network, Naehring mentioned that Montgomery's command and changeup in Grapefruit League play "stood out big-time." The southpaw compiled an eye-popping 16:1 K:BB over 11 innings this spring, though he did serve up four home runs and allow five earned runs. Montgomery is the favorite for the Yankees' fifth-starter role when the 2020 campaign gets underway.

Mize has been throwing five days per week in Nashville, including a 40-pitch bullpen session every Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

He has access to a facility where he can throw, work out and get physical therapy while observing proper social distancing. Mize said he is frustrated with the shutdown because he had hoped to reach the majors this year, and that is still his goal if the season is able to get underway at some point. If there is a MLB season, the Tigers will be faced with a difficult decision with Mize and the rest of their prized upper-level pitching prospects, as there is unlikely to be a traditional minor-league season, so the only way to get them innings in a competitive setting might be in the majors.

Gilbert may be a beneficiary of the unique conditions of an abbreviated 2020 season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The promising 22-year-old impressed in two Cactus League appearances, a pair of starts during which he fired four scoreless innings overall. Gilbert has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level, but with the possibility of expanded rosters and a sharp uptick in doubleheaders during an abbreviated 2020 season, the right-hander and his impressive four-pitch arsenal could serve as valuable reinforcement for the front-line pitching staff.

Luzardo has been working out with veteran rotation mate Mike Fiers while spring training is suspended, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The promising southpaw raised the already lofty expectations he came into spring camp with by posting a 1.08 ERA across 8.1 Cactus League innings. The news Luzardo is closely interacting with a savvy veteran the caliber of Fiers is also encouraging, as the extended one-on-one instructional time could certainly pay significant dividends as early as this season.

Snell continues to throw three times per week at his St. Petersburg home while spring training remains suspended, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander's ability to continue playing catch without issue supports the notion his previously ailing elbow is back to full health. A more stringent test will come once Snell is able to jump back into game action again, however, and for the moment, the timeline for being able to do so remains firmly up in the air.