MLB Player News

Walker, who was slated to make his first Cactus League start Thursday against the Giants, will instead pitch in a simulated game Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "We'll bump him back," manager Scott Servais said. "We'll probably do one more live up-down before we slide him into the regular 'A' game rotation. I thought he threw well on the backfields today. He felt good coming out of it, so he'll continue building on that."

The right-hander is being treated with an abundance of caution after shoulder and elbow injuries wiped out most of his last two seasons. Johns adds that Walker could potentially pitch in a "B" game Friday as well. Walker got through two innings of live batting practice Monday without issues.

Cole pitched a scoreless inning in his Yankees debut Monday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters in a tie with Pittsburgh.

Cole allowed a walk to Cole Tucker after getting ahead in the count 0-2, but he was otherwise impressive in his first game action with the team that signed him to a massive nine-year contract in the offseason. He threw 20 total pitches -- 12 of which were strikes -- and induced a pop out in addition to his two strikeouts.

Boyd took the loss in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, allowing a solo home run and a walk across two innings of work. He struck out three.

The outing was a microcosm of Boyd's 2019 campaign, as he gave up plenty of home runs (39, second most in the league) but also racked up the strikeouts (238 in 185.1 innings pitched). The southpaw continues to show glimpses of brilliance, but he's yet to sustain it across a full season. He'll line up as Detroit's unquestioned ace heading into 2020 and will look to improve his consistency on the mound.

Maeda gave up a run, on a home run, with a strikeout over two innings in his Twins debut in Saturday's spring training win over Boston.

Minnesota has said that Maeda will be part of the starting rotation and there's no indication he may be used in the bullpen at times like he was with the Dodgers. He moved to the bullpen in September each of the last two seasons in Los Angeles. His 26.4 K% and 8.3 BB% as a starter should help make Maeda an above-average starter with the Twins.

Rodriguez (knee) completed a bullpen session Monday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez's spring debut was pushed back after he hurt his knee during a bullpen session last week, but his ability to get back on the mound a few days later suggests the injury won't threaten his availability for the start of the season. If Rodriguez's knee responded well to Monday's side session, he could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice later this week.

Berrios threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in Sunday's spring training win over Toronto. He reached 95 miles per hour with his fastball, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins are making plans to reduce his workouts during the season in order to try to give him more endurance in the second half after he struggled after the All-Star break for a second consecutive season. (He had a 5.83 ERA over his last eight starts in 2019.) Berrios looks set to remain a steady presence at the top of the Minnesota rotation and could take a leap forward if he can avoid another late-season decline.

Civale is slightly behind schedule as he deals with a sore groin, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Civale is dealing with a sore groin after fielding work, and he'll be behind schedule by several days as he recovers. The right-hander is scheduled to throw a simulated game in the coming days, and it's unlikely that the injury will force him to miss much time barring any setbacks. Civale was effective in his first major-league action last season, posting a 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 57.2 innings.

Sale (illness) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Sale, who is working his way back from a bout of pneumonia, has thrown side sessions, but this was his first bullpen of the spring. Interim manager Rob Roenicke is hopeful the left-hander can take the next step. He and pitching coach Dave Bush plan to meet with Sale on Monday to outline his program for the remainder of spring training.

Valdez allowed one walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings Sunday against Washington.

Valdez, who is competing for the final rotation spot, submitted an impressive piece of evidence during his first spring start. He needed just 14 pitches to dispatch seven major-league hitters in his two innings. Josh James and Austin Pruitt will also have an opportunity to capture the final rotation spot.

Mize allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk in an inning of work during Sunday's Grapefruit League win over the Pirates. He struck out two.

Mize, the top overall pick in the 2018 draft, struggled in his spring debut. The 22-year-old pitched well last year at High-A and Double-A, and while he'll likely head back to the minors after spring training wraps up, it should only be a matter of time until he's back in the majors.