MLB Player News

Verlander allowed five singles and a walk while striking out three over seven scoreless innings in Monday's start against the Mets.

Verlander was regular-season mode Monday, in command of his pitches and throwing strikes on 64 of 88 pitches. He never allowed more than one baserunner in an inning, and only once did a runner get to second base. He'll get one more spring start before he takes the ball Opening Day, but it will be a shorter outing. We'll back off a little bit [in] the next outing," manager A.J. Hinch told Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

Heaney will miss his next scheduled start due to left elbow inflammation.

Thankfully, an MRI on the left-hander's elbow already came back completely clean, so it doesn't appear he'll miss an extended period of time. Heaney is expected to resume throwing once the inflammation subsides, though the team may opt to take things slowly with him given his injury history. His status for the start of the season doesn't appear to be in jeopardy, but J.C. Ramirez, Parker Bridwell and Nick Tropeano would be the likely candidates to fill his spot in the rotation if he isn't healthy at the end of spring training.

Nicasio fired a scoreless fifth inning in Sunday's 16-3 Cactus League loss to the Indians, recording two strikeouts.

Nicasio has been progressively ramping up his velocity this spring, and Sunday's outing provided a glimpse of how far he's come. The right-hander hit 95 mph on his final pitch, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports, setting down Yonder Alonso for his second strikeout. Nicasio also whiffed Lonnie Chisenhall within his sole frame, and his strong spring (seven strikeouts over 6.2 innings) lends credence to the notion that he could serve as an effective set-up option to closer Edwin Diaz. "Juan has done a really good job all spring and you're starting to see the velocity creep up into the range he pitched at last year," manager Scott Servais said. "He's a veteran guy. He knows how to get ready. No worries with him at all."

Bundy was charged with five runs (four earned) over 5.2 frames in his Grapefruit League start Sunday against the Mets. He scattered five hits and a walk and struck out six batters.

Bundy sports an ugly 9.00 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over his four starts this spring but remains the leading candidate to take the hill when the Orioles open the season March 29 against the Twins. The right-hander seemed to find a groove late last season and delivered 3.58 ERA (2.84 FIP) and 10.7 K/9 over his final eight starts, offering optimism that he might settle in as the Orioles' staff ace in 2018.

Luzardo (1-0) was brought over from minor-league camp and started Sunday's 14-0 Cactus League win over the White Sox, allowing two hits and recording a pair of strikeouts over 2.1 scoreless innings.

Obtained in the five-player deal with the Nationals that also yielded fellow prospect Sheldon Neuse and projected closer Blake Treinen, Luzardo has been impressive in a pair of spring outings. The southpaw's fastball hit the upper 90s against Chicago over his 40 pitches, which was his pre-set limit, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Just 20 years old, Luzardo could potentially start the season at High-A Stockton after an impressive five-start stint at Low-A Vermont (2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP) at the tail end of 2017 following his trade.

Manager Jeff Banister is not ready to declare Perez ready for the regular season, but admitted the right-hander did "check a lot of boxes" Sunday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. Perez allowed one run over five innings against the Angels on Sunday.

Banister will give Perez another start -- likely Friday against the Padres -- which will give the manager another data point from which to determine the starter's readiness for the regular season. Perez had an 8-2 record and 3.71 ERA over his final 11 starts in 2017, and was locked into the 2018 rotation before he suffered an injury last December that required surgery on his right (non-throwing) elbow.

Gonzales (hand), who notched his first spring victory in Saturday's 7-0 Cactus League split-squad victory over the Angels by firing 5.2 scoreless innings during which he only allowed a hit and a walk while recording three strikeouts, is reaping the benefits of being another year removed from Tommy John surgery, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old's spring ERA is down to 1.10 over 16.1 innings following Saturday's brilliant effort, one that he produced while wearing a wrap on the right hand that he'd taken a line drive to during his previous start. Gonzales appears set to handle No. 4 pitcher duties for at least the first turn through the rotation this season with Erasmo Ramirez (lat) potentially sidelined. Following Ramirez's return to action, Gonzales would presumably battle fellow lefty Ariel Miranda for the fifth spot in what could ultimately prove to be a difficult decision for manager Scott Servais.

Perez (elbow) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings in Sunday's start against the Angels.

Perez was making his first Cactus League start following the rehabilitation of a right elbow injury that occurred during the offseason at his ranch in Venezuela. Fortunately, the injury was to his non-throwing elbow. He looked strong Sunday and capable of being ready in time for the regular season, but manager Jeff Banister is expected to get another look at him before arriving at a roster decision.

Morton will pitch the fifth game of the season, April 2, Houston's home opener against the Orioles, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

Hinch could have made an argument for choosing the final three starters after Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel. Morton will be the team's No. 5 starter following Lance McCullers and Gerrit Cole. The manager wanted to reward last year's World Series hero with the start in the home opener when they raise the flag at Minute Maid Park. It was Morton that earned the Game 7 win with four innings of relief.

McCullers will start the third game of the season, March 31, against Texas, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

McCullers had a strong camp, giving up just one run with a 15:4 K:BB over 12.2 innings. As the third starter, he's in line for a career high in innings pitched. The right-hander's previous best was 125.2 innings as a rookie in 2015.