MLB Player News

The Athletics will place Bassitt on the injured list to begin the season due to a lower-leg contusion, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

According to McWilliams, Bassitt is still recovering after taking a ball off his right shin during the two-game series against the Mariners in Japan last week. The injury doesn't sound overly serious, but it was enough to cost the 30-year-old his chance at the Athletics' final rotation spot. Aaron Brooks will open the season as the team's fifth starter.

Bassitt and Aaron Brooks are viewed as the main candidates for the final available spot in Oakland's rotation, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

With a 5.40 ERA and 12:1 K:BB in 10 innings this spring, Bassitt has marginally outperformed Brooks (6.00 ERA, 9:4 K:BB over nine frames), but that probably doesn't afford the former any sort of noteworthy edge in the job battle. Instead, the fact that Brooks has no minor-league options remaining and would have to be exposed to waivers if he's not included on the Opening Day roster likely works against Bassitt, who still has an option left. Brooks will start in Tuesday's exhibition finale against the Giants, with Bassitt potentially following him as both attempt to make their case for the rotation.

Mejia is slated to open the season as member of the Twins' bullpen, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Mejia had been competing for the final spot in the rotation during spring training, but those duties are expected to fall to Martin Perez. The Twins will be able to get by with only four starters until mid-April, so the two will both be used out of the bullpen initially, most likely as long-relief options.

Giolito was named the third starter in the rotation to begin the 2019 season, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Giolito is in line to pitch the third game of the 2019 campaign against the Royals on Sunday. He struggled to an 8.84 ERA with 18 punchouts over 18.1 frames in spring training and posted a 6.13 ERA over 173.1 innings last season, but the White Sox have confidence that he's the man for the job.

Boyd is slated to start the second game of the season for the Tigers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers recently confirmed Jordan ZImmermann will start the season opener in Toronto and Boyd will follow in the second game Friday. The lefty led the team in starts, quality starts, wins and strikeouts in 2018, and while he doesn't project as the most exciting fantasy option, he should at least have a pretty firm grip on his rotation spot.

Montas has been named to Oakland's starting rotation, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Montas will enter the 2019 season at the Athletics' No. 4 starting pitcher, an unsurprising choice given his success in spring training. He started 11 games last year with Oakland and posted a 3.88 ERA with a 43:21 K:BB across 65 innings.

Heaney (elbow) completed a bullpen session Monday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Heaney tossed 20 pitches in what was his first mound session since being shut down from throwing earlier in the month. The southpaw is still expected to open the season on the injured list. Look for Jaime Barria and Felix Pena to both open the season in the Angels' rotation with Heaney on the mend.

Cobb (groin) was officially placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.

The move is an expected one based on previous reports. Cobb, who was able to play catch Monday, will be eligible to return from the injured list April 4. If he's ready to return in the minimum amount of time, Cobb could start the team's home opener that same day against the Yankees.

Severino (shoulder) threw out to 120 feet Monday, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Severino continues to slowly work his way back from a sore rotator cuff. The right-hander played catch at 90 feet Sunday before ramping things up Monday. While Severino is trending in the right direction, he's expected to remain sidelined until May.

Turnbull has made the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Turnbull will be in the Tigers' rotation, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. The job is well-earned, as Turnbull finished spring with a 1.80 ERA and a 15:3 K:BB in 15 innings. The 26-year-old made three starts and one relief appearance for the Tigers last season, recording a 6.06 ERA, though his underlying numbers (a 21.7 percent strikeout rate and a 5.8 percent walk rate) hinted at a brighter future.