MLB Player News

Giolito threw four relief innings Wednesday, giving up seven runs on eight hits, including two home runs, and two walks over four innings against the Diamondbacks.

Giolito threw out of the bullpen as it was his day to throw, but the White Sox let Ervin Santana open the game. Giolito has been hit hard in all five of his Cactus League outings, posting an 8.84 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over 18.1 innings.

Turnbull is a candidate to claim Detroit's final rotation spot with Michael Fulmer headed for Tommy John surgery, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The battle for the No. 5 spot will likely come down to Turnbull and Daniel Norris. Turnbull has outperformed Norris this spring, posting a 1.80 ERA across 15 innings including five scoreless innings Wednesday compared to Norris' 5.06 ERA across 10.2 innings. However, Norris has more experience at the MLB level, with Turnbull logging his first four career appearances last year as a rookie. Even if Turnbull loses out on the rotation spot to begin the season, he could grab it before long if Norris struggles.

Glasnow allowed five earned runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings in a 6-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Yankees on Tuesday. He struck out four.

Despite the unsightly line, the news wasn't all bad for the towering southpaw. His control issues did allow him to get his work in via a total of 81 pitches, and Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports that Glasnow then continued firing away in the bullpen after he exited the game. The 25-year-old also notched a couple of whiffs with the curveball he's been working on refining this spring, but he ultimately only got 47 of his offerings into the strike zone. Glasnow has one more Grapefruit League outing before the regular season, and the young lefty feels that just a slight improvement in his timing will get him to where he needs to be for his first scheduled regular-season start March 30 versus the Astros.

Nicolino was assigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Nicolino has allowed just one run in 5.2 innings this spring, though he was always a long shot at best to break camp with the team. The lefty has a 4.65 ERA in 201.1 major-league innings and spent the entirety of 2018 at the Triple-A level.

Boyd covered 4.2 innings in Tuesday's 3-1 exhibition loss to the Pirates, surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Boyd tossed 92 pitches in what will likely be his final Grapefruit League outing ahead of a potential Opening Day assignment March 28 in Toronto. With Michael Fulmer (elbow) opting for season-ending Tommy John surgery, Boyd enters the upcoming campaign as the clear top starter in a beleaguered Detroit rotation and looks poised to build on what was a promising if unspectacular 2018 campaign. Per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Boyd's fastball has been sitting around 91-to-93 miles per hour this spring, a decent uptick from the 90 mph he averaged in 2018. The spike in velocity may at least partially explain why Boyd has racked up 20 strikeouts in 18 innings during the exhibition slate.

Severino (shoulder) played catch at about 60 feet from flat ground Wednesday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

With the cortisone shot Severino recently received having alleviated the pain in his right shoulder, he's now been cleared to resume his throwing program after a two-week rest period. Severino is slated to play catch again Thursday before the Yankees determine his next step, but general manager Brian Cashman has already suggested the right-hander won't be ready to make his 2019 debut until some point in May at the earliest. Expect the Yankees to formally place Severino on the injured list shortly before their March 28 season opener versus the Orioles.

Gonzales (1-0) gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings Wednesday against the A's. He picked up the win.

Very impressively, Gonzales only needed 69 pitches (51 strikes) to get through six frames. Khris Davis and Stephen Piscotty each took him yard, but he was still able to notch a quality start in the first game of the regular season. He should take the hill next week on the official Opening Day (March 28) against the Red Sox.

Lynn allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over five-plus innings Tuesday against the Brewers.

Lynn hurled five scoreless frames before tiring, becoming the first Ranger starter to pitch into the sixth inning this spring. He had thrown nine consecutive scoreless innings before running into trouble. If it were the regular season, manager Chris Woodward would probably let Lynn pitch out of his jam, but the right-hander was at his pitch limit. He's struck out 18 batters in 11.2 Cactus League innings.

Perez said Tuesday he doesn't expect to be used as a starter until mid-April, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The news comes as little surprise as the Twins have no need for a fifth starter until that point due to several off days over the first couple weeks of the season. Perez has looked sharp in spring training as he has showcased increased velocity on his fastball after making some offseason tweaks to his delivery.

Morton allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks over five innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates on Monday.

The right-hander described himself as "pleasantly surprised" that he was able get into the sixth inning. Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports that Morton threw 75 pitches and got up to an impressive 95 mph with his fastball. The two runs were the first spring blemishes for Morton, who appears to be heading into the No. 2 role he'll fill this coming regular season with considerable momentum.