MLB Player News

Gibson (illness) said he believes he'll be ready to go by Opening Day, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Gibson noted that he's pretty much recovered from the E. coli issue he was dealing with earlier in the offseason. His status should be updated as he continues to work back to 100 percent health, but it sounds like the veteran right-hander will be ready to go by the start of the season, barring any setbacks. Gibson will reprise his role in the Twins' rotation after posting a 3.62 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 32 starts (196.2 innings) for Minnesota in 2018.

Kaprielian will undergo an MRI for a sore lat Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Injuries have kept Kaprielian off the mound for two straight seasons. He believes the latest one was caught early and won't be a major issue, though the full details won't be known until the MRI is complete.

Cloyd agreed Monday with the Rays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After his development as a starter with the Phillies stalled out earlier in his career, Cloyd headed to Korea in 2015 and returned stateside as a reliever the following season. He broke back into the big leagues with the Mariners in 2017 before splitting the past campaign between Triple-A New Orleans and the majors in the Marlins organization. Cloyd will get a chance to compete for a mop-up role out of the Tampa Bay bullpen this spring but will most likely wind up as organizational depth in the high minors.

Kaprielian suffered a setback with his previously injured shoulder and will be behind the other pitchers to start spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's unclear how the setback was incurred, but the oft-injured righty will start 2019 off on the wrong note nonetheless. This adds another poor chapter to his unfortunate professional career, as Kaprielian hasn't thrown in a game since 2016. No word has come forth as to when Kaprielian will get back on track with the other pitchers, though more information will likely come forth once he's able to progress further in his rehab program. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle also reports that Kaprielian will get an MRI on his shoulder to identify any potential issues, so more might be known after those results are disclosed.

Verlander and the Astros are open to discussing a contract extension, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander is entering the final year of his contract -- he made voiding a 2020 club option a condition of accepting a trade to Houston in August 2017 -- and the soon-to-be 36-year-old remains one of the best starters in the game. "We love Justin Verlander, and we traded for him for a reason, and he clearly has not declined at all. He continues to be one of the elite pitchers in the game," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Of course we would have interest in keeping him around here as long as we possibly can." The right-hander finished second in the AL Cy Young voting in 2018, after going 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA, an MLB-best 0.90 WHIP and an AL-leading 290 strikeouts.

Nicolino signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training.

After being waived by the Marlins last March, Nicolino was scooped up by the Reds and spent the entire 2018 campaign with Triple-A Louisville. The left-hander made 24 starts (and one relief appearance) for the Bats, posting a 4.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 5.8 K/9 across 134.1 innings. The 27-year-old Nicolino owns a lackluster 4.65 ERA and 3.8 K/9 across parts of three major-league seasons (201.1 innings), so he seems unlikely to make an impact in the majors in 2019.

Bridwell went unclaimed off waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bridwell will stick in the organization and join the Athletics in spring training as a non-roster invitee after the team handed his 40-man spot to starting pitcher Marco Estrada. It's expected that Bridwell will be included in the Las Vegas rotation to begin the 2019 campaign.

Kopech (elbow) threw Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kopech underwent the procedure in September after making just four starts in his rookie season. It's certainly a positive that he's already resumed throwing, but there's no expectation that he'll be back in game action at any point this season, given that recovery from the surgery typically takes over 12 months.

Hammel signed a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training with the Rangers on Friday.

Hammel spent the last two seasons in Kansas City but the Royals declined his option in October, making him a free agent. The 36-year-old struggled with a 5.59 ERA and 1.51 WHIP for the Royals, allowing 44 home runs over 307.1 innings. The veteran right-hander will undoubtedly be looking for a bounce-back season if he can manage to crack the Opening Day roster.

Miley is expected to claim the fourth spot in Houston's starting rotation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Miley's careening career may have been salvaged in 2018, when he threw his cutter more than any other pitch. His pitch mix helped fuel a career-best 2.57 ERA over 80.2 innings with the Brewers. While it's prudent for fantasy owners to be circumspect of the left-hander's sudden break from empirical evidence, his success in 2018 appears to be more than just a fluke occurrence. Opponents will make adjustments, so we're hesitant to conclude Miley will replicate last season's production, but he may be useful pitching in front of a high-octane Astros offense, which finished sixth in runs scored last year.