MLB Player News

Cease (shoulder) was seen throwing breaking balls Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

No word has come forth as to whether he's been able to throw off a mound yet, but this is an encouraging development nonetheless. Cease is expected to be fine for the bulk of spring training, but things should become clearer once he proves he can clear the final hurdle in his recovery process.

Gausman and the Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $5.6 million deal Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Gausman struggled to a 4.68 ERA and 4.48 FIP last season, though his 3.41 ERA in the second half suggests that he may improve in 2018. He will be a key member of a weak Orioles rotation this season.

Perez (elbow) has been able to throw off a mound in recent days, which points to the southpaw being ready for Opening Day, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Perez had to undergo right elbow surgery to repair a fracture of the radial head back in mid-December, but he remains ahead of schedule with his progress and should be cleared to play prior to the Rangers' first series of the year against Houston. At this point, Perez hasn't been able to complete full bullpen sessions, although that will likely be the next step on the agenda.

Martin will attend the Athletics' spring training as a non-roster invitee, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Martin has bounced around the minor-league systems of several different organizations during the first eight years of his professional career. The 28-year-old -- who has yet to make his MLB debut -- spent the 2017 season with Double-A Richmond of the Giants' organization. Though he was able to piece together a solid 2.04 ERA over 39.2 innings of work, the lefty's exorbitant 18 percent walk rate suggests that he's got a long ways to go before he's big-league ready. He'll likely begin the 2018 season in the minors yet again.

Eovaldi (elbow) said that he would be fully healthy when the Rays begin their first spring workout Feb. 14, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I'm just ready,'' Eovaldi said. "I was healthy and ready to go at the end of the year last year so I went into the offseason confident, as if I was activated, with no restrictions. The offseason's been great, no issues, no little injuries, so I'm ready for spring.''

Eovaldi didn't make any appearances for the Rays or any of their minor-league affiliates in 2017 while he recovered from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August of the previous year. Now almost 18 months removed from the serious elbow operation, Eovaldi may face fewer restrictions than most pitchers in their first year back from Tommy John surgery, but he'll still likely find himself on the outside looking in for a rotation spot with Tampa Bay during the spring. A deployment out of the bullpen may be more realistic for Eovaldi, whose premium velocity could quickly allow him to move up the pecking order in a Rays relief corps lacking in proven arms.

Garcia (elbow) is meeting with Dr. James Andrews next week about recurring pain in his elbow, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Garcia hasn't been scheduled for Tommy John surgery, but that's always the fear when a player meets with Dr. Andrews about an elbow injury. Garcia pitched across four levels in the Tigers' minor-league system last year, eventually reaching Triple-A Toledo. The reliever has a career 2.20 ERA in 73.2 minor-league innings.

Melville has been invited to Orioles spring training as a non-roster invitee.

After signing a minor-league contract in December, Melville will have the chance to participate in spring training with the big club. Melville's major-league experience has been limited to this point, but hasn't gone well. In his career he's pitched 14.2 innings over 6 games, during which he's allowed 18 runs on 23 hits and 15 walks, giving him an 11.05 ERA and 2.59 WHIP.

Rodriguez feels offseason knee surgery will enable him to pitch with more confidence, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "I just feel way better now," the left-hander said. "I feel like my kneecap isn't going to pop out anymore. That's a good thing, because I feel comfortable now."

Rodriguez underwent right knee patellofemoral ligament reconstruction surgery last October to fix a problem that resulted in three subluxations in a span of two years. The 24-year-old has hinted at a breakout the last three seasons, but the knee has been a recurring damper and contributed to middling results (19-20, 4.23 ERA). He has the stuff to succeed in MLB -- mid-90s fastball, plus changeup, capable sinker and slider -- and will have the confidence in his right knee to deliver at the back end of the Red Sox's rotation.

Keuchel (foot) will throw his first bullpen session of spring next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Keuchel sustained a mild sprain of his left foot during the offseason, but it should not be a concern as he ramps up for Houston's spring training beginning Feb. 14.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Whitley could reach the major leagues at some point in 2018, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 20-year-old right-hander breezed through three minor-league levels in 2017 and is expected to start this season in the rotation at Double-A Corpus Christi, but he could move quickly. Whitley won't be part of major-league spring training, so he won't use up innings early in the year. That way, Luhnow said, the organization can preserve him for potential use in September. If Whitley does make it to Houston, it would likely be as a reliever, as the organization will be cognizant of his workload.