MLB Player News

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.

Faedo has been invited to the Tigers' major-league camp this spring.

The Tigers selected Faedo with the 18th overall pick in the 2017 first-year player draft. The 22-year-old still hasn't thrown a professional pitch as the team shut him down due to his workload with the University of Florida during the College World Series prior to being drafted. The 6-foot-5 right-hander already sports two plus pitches -- an impressive slider to go with a low-to-mid 90s fastball -- and is working on developing his changeup as a third offering, which could help him become a No. 2 starter at his peak. The Tigers will likely allow him to work with their new pitching coach, Chris Bosio, and see how he fares against major-league competition in the spring before determining where he'll report to at the start of 2018 (likely Low-A West Michigan or High-A Lakeland).

Manager Bob Melvin said Bassitt will likely be stretched out as a starter, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

It appears Bassitt will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot in spring training, though Melvin also noted that the right-handed hurler could wind up in the bullpen in he doesn't impress as a starter in camp. While he's primarily served as a starter throughout his professional career, Bassitt has also spent some time in a relief role, including a bullpen stint at the end of 2017 which was triggered by a setback in his recovery from 2016 Tommy John surgery.

Rodon (shoulder) received approval to resume throwing next week, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Rodon had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday, and earned clearance to get back to throwing for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in late September. Pitching coach Don Cooper admitted that Rodon will likely miss some time at the beginning of the season, but more should be known once he's able to get back into the swing of things. Expect an update on his status around the start of spring training.

Sale acknowledged his late-season struggles in 2017 and plans to take measures to avoid a similar fate this season, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Sale admitted he was trying way too hard early in the season, ramping his fastball up to the mid-90s along with a wipeout slider in spring training. That carried over into the season's first half but was unsustainable over the long haul. His downturn started Aug. 1, when he allowed seven runs over five innings to the Indians and led to a 4.09 ERA over his final 11 starts. "You know I was new here last year. I came in and I felt like I had to prove something," Sale told reporters. "So I felt, part of me felt I had to come in and say 'hey, this is what you're getting.'" The left-hander said there's a different plan in place this year. Sale's reduced the amount of throws made during the offseason and will continue in that same vein in spring training.

Rodon (shoulder) has yet to begin a throwing program, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Pitching coach Don Cooper is not anticipating Rodon being ready for the start of the season. The left-hander suffered from a significant case of bursitis and underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery last September to debride the area, a procedure that removes dead, damaged or infected tissue to promote healing. The White Sox don't have a hard date for when Rodon may return, but should get a clearer picture when spring training begins mid-February.

Kopech has been invited to the White Sox's major-league camp this spring, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

While Kopech isn't expected to break camp with the White Sox, the team will see how its top pitching prospect fares against major-league competition in anticipation of a potential late-season callup in 2018. The 21-year-old flamethrower finished the 2017 campaign with a 2.88 ERA and 172:65 K:BB across 25 starts between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. He's expected to return to Charlotte to start the upcoming season, but if he picks up where he left off in the second half of 2017 (1.29 ERA, 71:12 K:BB in 56 innings), there's a good chance he'll make his major-league debut sometime in the latter half of 2018.

Dunning has been invited to the White Sox's major-league camp this spring, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

In his second year of pro ball, Dunning established himself as a future rotation piece by posting an impressive 2.94 ERA and 168:38 K:BB across 26 starts (144 innings) between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem. Spring training should prove to be a good test for Dunning, who is expected to open the 2018 season with Double-A Birmingham.