MLB Player News

Nolasco agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

According to Heyman, the deal is worth $1.5 million with an opt-out on March 24. Nolasco could only produce a 4.92 ERA last season with the Angels, and with plenty of other competition for the back-end rotation spots, it's tough to see him cracking the Opening Day roster. It could prove to be a nice gamble for the Royals if he pitches well this spring, however.

Carrasco covered two innings Tuesday in his first start during Cactus League play in the Indians' 7-6 loss to the Reds. He surrendered one run on two hits and no walks and struck out four.

Carrasco pitched an inning in relief last week against a number of Rangers reserves and non-roster players, but Tuesday marked his first slate of the spring versus MLB regulars. Though both of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a home run to Scooter Gennett, Carrasco was otherwise lights out, with all of his outs coming via grounders or strikeouts. Expect Carrasco to gradually increase his innings load in his subsequent Cactus League appearances so that he'll be fully prepared for a 100-pitch outing in his first start of the regular season. He'll likely follow ace Corey Kluber in the rotation and take the hill March 31 in Seattle.

Stroman (shoulder) is expected to play catch Thursday according to pitching coach Pete Walker, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm reports.

The right-hander has yet to begin throwing in any capacity after being shut down with right shoulder inflammation in late February. On Tuesday, manager John Gibbons said that the doctors felt good about Stroman's health and that once he gets over the inflammation, it shouldn't be an issue ever again. The club is expected to figure out a plan for Stroman following his time playing catch. There's a strong possibility that he will wind up starting the 2018 season on the disabled list.

The Twins optioned Jorge to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Jorge had a decent season at Double-A Chattanooga last season with a 3.54 ERA over 134.2 innings, though it came with just a 6.6 K/9 rate. He was called up to the majors for two relief outings, but that was more a function of him being on the 40-man roster when the team had a need rather than his prospect status. Jorge will try to improve at Triple-A, but he more than likely just adds organizational depth. He sports a low-90s fastball, good control and a well-rounded arsenal, but his lack of strikeouts make it unlikely he'll thrive in the majors.

Blackburn, who's competing for a spot in the starting rotation, is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .174 BAA over seven innings across three spring training appearances.

As the disparity between the ERA and his WHIP and BAA metrics implies, Blackburn has actually been more effective than inept. However, a forgettable two-inning encounter with the Cubs last Wednesday in which he allowed four earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks has served to sully his overall line for the moment. Blackburn has been the diametric opposite in his other two trips to the mound, firing a pair of scoreless frames versus the Angels in his Feb. 23 spring debut, and then racking up a trio of strikeouts over three perfect innings in a 9-9 tie with the White Sox on Monday. The 24-year-old right-hander appears fully recovered from the wrist injury that ended his season prematurely in 2017, leaving him poised to potentially claim a rotation spot if he can remain consistent.

Morton allowed three hits and struck out six over three innings in Tuesday's game against Washington.

Morton hasn't allowed a run or walked a batter in five spring innings and is exhibiting signs that last season's campaign was no fluke. The 34-year-old is enjoying a late-career renaissance and will have a spot in what might be the best rotation in the AL in front of what might be the best lineup.

Kopech will not be opening the season on the major-league roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This was always the expectation, but now it's confirmed by general manager Rick Hahn. Kopech is a live arm and an exciting pitching prospect but has pitched just 15 innings at the Triple-A level, so he won't be held down for purely service-time reasons. Assuming he keeps blowing away minor-league hitters, though, expect him up in the big-league rotation in the first half of the season.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that Clevinger will open the season in the rotation, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "Danny (Salazar) is not going to be ready," Francona said. "We're looking for (Clevinger) to have a big year. He's strong, and he should be able to be that innings-eater type of pitcher."

The skipper erased any doubt about Clevinger's status after the right-hander struck out six over three scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Monday. That leaves Josh Tomlin and Ryan Merritt to battle it out for the final rotation spot over the remainder of camp. Clevinger has battled control issues throughout his pro career, but he's held opponents to a .221 average at the big-league level while striking out a quarter of the batters he's faced. Look for his price to tick up from here.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tuesday that Stroman (shoulder) won't resume throwing for at least a few more days, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. "The doctors feel good [about Stroman's health]....Once he gets over [the right shoulder inflammation], they don't think that it'll be an issue ever again," Gibbons said.

Gibbons also mentioned that the team has a tentative target date for Stroman to resume his throwing program, but the team isn't ready to reveal when that will happen. With no firm timeline for a return to the mound in place, Stroman is a good bet to open the season on the disabled list, though the comments Gibbons relayed from team doctors suggests a long-term absence isn't believed to be in play for the 26-year-old. In any case, Stroman's likely unavailability for the start of the season could open a spot in the rotation for Joe Biagini as the Jays' No. 5 starter.

Giolito allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three over three scoreless innings in Monday's split-squad game against the Dodgers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Giolito was much sharper Monday than in his first spring start, which is the process for pitchers in spring training. The right-hander will be part of the White Sox's rotation in 2018 and be given a long leash. There will be some growing pains for Giolito, whose shown a proclivity to giving up home runs during his brief exposure to major-league hitters. He's allowed 15 long balls over 66.2 career innings.