MLB Player News

Kluber has notched 15 strikeouts in 8.2 innings (three starts) this spring.

He has gradually built up his workload and threw 57 pitches in 3.2 innings his last time out. Kluber appears to be in midseason form, missing bats at a ridiculous clip so far in Cactus League play. He has issued two walks and given up seven hits, amounting to three earned runs (3.12 ERA). Continue treating him like a top-four starting pitcher for mixed leagues.

Manager Scott Servais said Tuesday that there are no breaks in Gonzales' hand after he was hit by a comebacker Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

This is good news, as it likely means that the young starter will avoid an extended absence. Gonzales' hand remains wrapped at this point, but he hopes to continue throwing regularly in an effort to not miss a start. Consider him day-to-day for now with the cautious expectation that he'll be fine for the start of the regular season.

Odorizzi was bypassed for the start in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles for maintenance purposes, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The decision to hold out Odorizzi is twofold for the Twins, as it allows the team to insert the newly signed Lance Lynn into the pitching schedule while building in some rest for Odorizzi. The right-hander is set to throw a bullpen session Thursday before returning to Grapefruit League action against the Phillies on Sunday, when he's expected to cover around five innings or throw 75 pitches.

Mejia was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Rochester.

Mejia entered spring training with a good shot at a spot in the rotation, but his prospects quickly changed after the Twins traded for Jake Odorizzi and signed Lance Lynn. With Mejia sent to Triple-A, it looks like Phil Hughes will begin the season as the No. 5 starter. However, Hughes could move to the bullpen a few weeks later once Ervin Santana returns from a finger injury. Mejia will likely be the first starter recalled from Triple-A if there's an opening in the major-league rotation early on in the campaign.

Mejia threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout and a walk in Monday's spring training outing to lower his ERA to 4.50. He faces longer odds to win a spot in the rotation with the Twins signing Lance Lynn.

Mejia is battling Phil Hughes for the fifth starter role, but that spot in the rotation may only be open for a few weeks until Ervin Santana returns from a finger injury. It looks more likely that Mejia will begin the season at Triple-A.

Gonzales was hit in the right hand by a line drive, and was forced to leave the game Monday against the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Gonzales left the game with what the Mariners stated was a right hand contusion. He was spotted walking back to the training facility shortly after exiting, but the initial scans indicated no broken bones according to Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle. Gonzales is expected to be re-evaluated tomorrow, which will determine if he'll miss time.

Boyd tossed three scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. He allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out three.

Boyd had allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits over his last six innings, so it was nice to see him a bit sharper Tuesday. The young lefty dropped his spring training ERA to 4.09 with the strong performance, and he's on track to secure a spot in Detroit's rotation to begin the season.

Lynn will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Orioles, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Lynn is scheduled to throw three innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League outing. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2016 season, Lynn posted a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 33 starts (186.1 innings) in 2017. However, while his ERA and WHIP were both at respectable levels, Lynn's 7.4 K/9 was a career low while his 3.8 BB/9 was a career high, raising questions about his chances of maintaining last season's overall success.

Odorizzi is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Phillies, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Initially, Odorizzi had been tabbed with starting Tuesday's Grapefruit League outing versus the Orioles. However, the club decided to use Lance Lynn on Tuesday instead, opting to have Odorizzi throw a bullpen session Thursday then start Sunday's game. So far this spring, Odorizzi has thrown 6.1 innings over two games, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk.

Perez (elbow) gave up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings in a minor-league game Monday, Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Rangers were more focused on how Perez felt during Monday's outing rather than the number of runs he surrendered, and fortunately for the team he said he felt great. This marked Perez's first game of the spring, during which he was able to throw 69 pitches, with 48 being strikes. Although the 26-year-old has expressed a desire to be an active member of the rotation on Opening Day, it's expected that he won't be rushed back and will open the season on the DL.