MLB Player News

Paxton (back) could be ready to return to the mound by the beginning of the regular season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy to remove a peridiscal cyst in early February and was expected to be out 3-4 months. The southpaw has been ramping up his activity of late, culminating in a throwing session last week. That bodes well for his return at the early end of the recovery timeline, which would enable him to return by early May. With MLB's announcement Monday that Opening Day will not take place for at least eight weeks, Paxton certainly has a chance to be part of the Yankees' rotation when the regular season begins.

Boyd said he plans on getting stronger in the weight room while spring training is suspended and his throwing program is interrupted, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Boyd has remained at the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Fla., and tried to look on the bright side of the delay, calling it an "awesome opportunity for us to get even stronger." The lefty struggled a bit down the stretch last season after a strong start, so perhaps the emphasis on strength training could help with his endurance whenever the 2020 campaign resumes.

Cobb (finger) completed a simulated game Thursday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Cobb developed a blister earlier in the week that resulted in him being scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League outing, but his ability to face hitters in a controlled setting implies that the affected finger isn't much of a concern. With the MLB regular season having now been pushed back at least two weeks, Cobb's blister should be completely healed by the time the Orioles reconvene for workouts.

Sale (elbow) is still scheduled to be reevaluated sometime next week despite the suspension of spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Sale has dealt with both pneumonia and a flexor strain in his pitching elbow during spring training, but interim manager Ron Roenicke indicated that the team will currently keep his throwing program in place despite the stoppage in play over coronavirus concerns. The southpaw was scheduled to throw Friday before play stopped, and it's unclear whether that session occurred. Sale's reaction to increased usage will likely determine his next steps in his recovery process.

Mize will likely begin the year in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

This isn't much of a surprise, as Mize posted a strong 2.55 ERA and .209 opponent batting average in his first full professional season last year, which included 15 games at Double-A. The first overall pick in the 2018 draft figures to be on the fast track to the majors, and his debut could happen this summer.

Gonzales started a rain-shortened Cactus League win over a Padres split squad on Wednesday and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

The left-hander bounced back nicely after a rough outing in his first spring start, allowing just Thursday's earned run over 6.1 innings combined across his last two appearances. Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Gonzales would have been in line for two more Cactus League outings had the remainder of spring training not been suspended due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but all that is up in the air now. Johns adds Gonzales' removal in the fourth inning was due to the 28-year-old having reached a 60-plus pitch count and not because of any injury-related issue. "I was a lot more crisp than the last couple times out," Gonzales said. "I'm definitely feeling confident with my fastball and landing some off-speed pitches. So that was great. I had the walks and some little mistakes here and there, but overall I felt pretty sharp."

Glasnow threw 50 pitches across three innings in a simulated game Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow worked with Mike Zunino as a battery mate and faced Nate Lowe, Kevan Smith and Daniel Robertson during his three frames. The right-hander threw 27 pitches for strikes in what would turn out to be his final tune-up for the regular season now that the remainder of spring training has been cancelled due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus. Glasnow finished Grapefruit League play with 2.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and posted a 5:1 K:BB across a pair of starts.

Anderson gave up one run on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings while striking out four in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

On a day when the two teams combined for eight homers, Anderson was able to limit the damage off him to a single solo shot. The right-hander has had a bumpy first spring with the Jays, posting an 11.57 ERA and 6:7 K:BB through 9.1 innings, but he's still expected to hold down a spot in the middle of the rotation.

The Rays reassigned McClanahan to their minor-league camp Thursday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

McClanahan may not be joining the Rays for Opening Day, but he made quite the impression during his time at big-league camp. The righty scattered two hits and a walk during 1.1 innings in his first spring start Wednesday against the Red Sox, sporting a fastball that hit triple digits on the radar gun on one occasion and 99 miles per hour on four others. He'll likely open the campaign at Double-A Montgomery after struggling in his initial taste of the Southern League following his late-season promotion in 2019.

The Rays reassigned McGuire to their minor-league camp Thursday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

The non-roster invitee never had much hope to break camp for a Rays squad that's overflowing both with rotation and bullpen depth. He'll likely begin the season with Triple-A Durham.