MLB Player News

Manager Joe Maddon said Canning was unable to throw Saturday and is likely to begin the season on the injured list, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 23-year-old was scheduled to throw Saturday as part of his medical tests after an MRI revealed some issues with the UCL in his right elbow, but the elbow apparently didn't feel well enough for him to throw. Canning is now set to undergo further testing to see if it's a joint issue rather than a ligament. The right-hander remains without a timetable for his return, though any time on the injured list would sideline him for at least the first couple series of the season.

Sale (illness) will throw two simulated innings prior to Sunday's game against the Braves, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander is expected to throw 30 pitches in the sim game. This will mark the first time Sale has thrown to hitters since an Aug. 13 start against the Indians. He was shut down for the rest of the season following that appearance due to a left elbow injury.

Rodriguez allowed two hits and struck out six over three scoreless innings Saturday against the Yankees.

Rodriguez was sharp again Saturday, five days after looking equally impressive during a simulated game during which he fanned teammate Rafael Devers five times. "He threw some really good pitches. Located his fastball well. Threw some good changeups," interim manager Ron Roenicke told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "He got in a little bit of trouble, but his command is so good [that] he's able to get out of it. He makes pitches when he needs to." After a string of seasons in which a leg injury of some sort curtailed Rodriguez, the left-hander dazzled in 2019, finishing sixth in voting for the AL Cy Young award, tying for the MLB lead with 34 starts and throwing more than 200 innings for the first time in his career. The Red Sox haven't named an Opening Day starter yet, but that honor is expected to go to Rodriguez.

Valdez allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four over 2.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's game against the Mets.

Valdez faced traffic in each frame but escaped unscathed to run his string of scoreless innings to 4.2 while getting his pitch count to 50 (31 strikes). So far, so good in the left-hander's quest to win the No. 5 starter job. His three walks in 4.2 innings hints at the issue that has prevented Valdez from succeeding in the big leagues, but his ability to work around difficulty and slow things down when getting into a jam was an encouraging sign.

Teheran (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Teheran's throwing session lends credence to the belief that his hamstring issue is minor. The right-hander is expected to make his first Cactus League start Monday or Tuesday and should be good to go for the onset of the regular season.

Cole held the Tigers scoreless over 2.2 innings Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Cole looked every bit the ace the Yankees are paying him to be, throwing 21 of 30 pitches for strikes in the efficient outing. The 29-year-old has yet to allow a run in 3.2 innings of Grapefruit League play.

Snell felt some discomfort in his elbow after Wednesday's start and received a cortisone shot Friday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The Rays are reportedly not overly concerned, and although he'll miss his next Grapefruit League start, Snell is already scheduled to play catch Tuesday and throw a bullpen session Friday, so he won't be shut down for long. Manager Kevin Cash noted that the shot was in the lefty's outer elbow, not near the tendon, which would be a considerably more concerning area. Still, it's hard not to worry about elbow issues popping up early in camp for a pitcher who missed two months for elbow surgery last season. Whether or not Snell is expected to miss time at the start of the regular season should become clear over the next week as he resumes throwing.

Canning (elbow) will throw Saturday as part of his medical tests, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Canning underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed UCL issues, and while the exact ramifications aren't yet known, the right-hander will be examined by team doctors while throwing Saturday in order to further determine the severity of the injury. A timetable to return hasn't been established, and it's unclear whether Canning will be available for Opening Day.

Carrasco (hip) is expected to make his first start of spring training Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Carrasco threw a live batting practice session Friday, and he'll likely get into game action if he continues to recover smoothly. The right-hander was diagnosed with a right hip flexor strain early in spring training, but a return to game action would likely be a good sign regarding his availability for Opening Day.

Hart walked one over two scoreless innings in Friday's spring game against the Twins.

Red Sox interim manager Ron Roenicke identified Hart as a candidate for a rotation spot prior to the left-hander's start Friday, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The Red Sox have two starting slots up for grabs heading into the regular season. One is a full-time gig made available when David Price was traded to the Dodgers, while the other is temporary as a replacement for Chris Sale (illness) who will begin the season on the injured list. The 27-year-old Hart is a command pitcher whose fastball lives in the upper-80s to low-90s.