MLB Player News

Bridwell was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The Angels' Opening Day rotation came into greater focus Thursday with Bridwell and Nick Tropeano both getting optioned. Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register notes that the Angels could start the season with a short rotation thanks to the schedule before needing a fifth starter on April 12. Bridwell and Tropeano would be options for that spot if Andrew Heaney (elbow) is brought along slowly to begin the year.

Manager Bob Melvin said Blackburn (forearm) will be shut down from throwing for 10 days, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Forearm tightness prompted Blackburn to undergo an MRI on Thursday, though fortunately the tests revealed only a strain. He'll take some time off before resuming a throwing program, which will force him to open the season on the shelf. That said, given how stretched out he was before suffering the injury, Blackburn shouldn't need too much to get up to speed once he's able to resume throwing. In the meantime, Daniel Gossett appears to be the favorite to open the season in the rotation in his place.

An MRI on Blackburn's forearm revealed no structural damage, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This is certainly encouraging news for Blackburn, as forearm tightness is often the precursor to a more serious ailment. The 24-year-old will now take some time off to let the discomfort subside before resuming a throwing program. He's still expected to open the season on the disabled list given how close it is to the start of the season, but he was close to being stretched out, so he seemingly won't need too much time to get up to speed once he's able to resume throwing. With Blackburn sidelined, Daniel Gossett will likely step into the team's rotation to open the season.

Odorizzi was named the Opening Day starter against the Orioles on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi will be followed by Kyle Gibson, Jose Berrios and Lance Lynn as the Twins revealed their plan for a four-man rotation to begin the season. In 2017 with Tampa Bay, he logged a 4.14 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 127:61 K:BB over 143.1 innings.

Bundy will start for the Orioles on Opening Day against the Twins, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bundy was the favorite to get the ball first for the Orioles. The 25-year-old flashed his upside towards the end of 2017, posting a 3.58 ERA and 10.7 K/9 over his final eight starts of the season. So long as he's able to stay healthy in 2018, Bundy will look to build off his solid 2017 campaign.

Manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Carrasco (foot) is fine, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. "He was fine last night," the manager said.

Carrasco suffered a left foot contusion after being hit by a comebacker during Wednesday's Cactus League contest. Fortunately, the issue doesn't appear to be anything overly serious, and he should be able to remain on schedule, likely lining him up to start the team's second game of the season.

Blackburn is being examined by team doctors Thursday due to forearm tightness, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

This might help to explain the shellacking he took in Wednesday's spring game. Regardless of when the injury occurred, it seems like Blackburn will not be ready for the start of the season, though more information should be known in the coming days. As a result of this injury, Daniel Gossett appears to be in line for a rotation spot to begin the season.

Carrasco was diagnosed with a left foot contusion, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Carrasco suffered the injury after being hit by a comebacker during Wednesday's spring game. He was able to walk off under his own power. Early signs are that the right-hander avoided something serious, though more should be known after he's further evaluated Thursday.

Carrasco exited Wednesday's spring game with a trainer after taking a comebacker off his leg, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The severity of the issue remains unclear, though Carrasco was able to walk off the field under his own power. More should be known following the conclusion of Wednesday's contest. Carrasco, who allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk across 4.2 innings prior to exiting, was replaced by Ben Taylor.

Rodon (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a side session Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The oft-injured left-hander did some tossing earlier in spring training, but this development is significant because it marks the first time he's been listed on the official team throwing schedule this spring. Rodon seems to be on track for a return in early June.