MLB Player News

Cobb (back) said he would throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After experiencing lower-back tightness over the weekend, Cobb was scratched from his scheduled minor-league start Sunday, but the Rays aren't harboring much concern that he'll be at risk of missing the start of the season. If his back responds well to the bullpen session, Cobb will take the hill Friday against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League start, which would put him on track to make his first turn in the rotation. The Rays have only announced that Chris Archer would receive the Opening Day start against the Yankees, but Cobb looks on track to line up third in the rotation behind Archer and Jake Odorizzi.

Rodriguez had a particularly bad inning against the Orioles on Monday that did not please manager John Farrell, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports. "The fourth inning, there were some things inside there, whether it's backing up home plate or just being a little bit more attentive. That's got to be more consistent throughout, particularly as a starting pitcher. Those lapses can come back to bite you," said the manager.

Rodriguez had his worst outing of the spring, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings. The defense wasn't great behind him, but the left-hander gave up plenty of loud contact. While it's a minor step back in what has been an encouraging spring training for Rodriguez, fixing a lapse of focus is much easier than something physical.

Gray (back) is now throwing from 150 feet, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Oakland's ace continues to make steady progress in his throwing program, as he was throwing at half that distance less than a week ago. The 27-year-old right-hander is still projected to be out until mid-April at the earliest.

Smyly gave up five earned runs on six hits and four walks over four innings in Sunday's 7-6 Cactus League win over the Reds. He also recorded a strikeout.

After pitching against the Padres in a "B" game on Tuesday, Smyly took the mound in his first official post-WBC start and struggled against a Reds lineup that featured several regulars. The veteran lefty was touched up for home runs by Jose Peraza, Desmond Jennings and even starting pitcher Rookie Davis, with the latter two launching their round-trippers in the second inning. Smyly blamed inconsistent location, particularly with his fastball, for the majority of his troubles. Factoring in Sunday's outing, he owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 6:6 K:BB over nine spring innings.

Gausman will be the Orioles' Opening Day starter, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

As expected, Gausman will take the hill April 3 at home against the Blue Jays. It will be the first career Opening Day draw for Gausman, who started 30 games last season, posting a 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 179.2 innings. Dylan Bundy will follow Gausman in the rotation and toe the rubber for Game 2 of the regular season.

Hammel said he lost the feel for his changeup in the fifth inning of Sunday's game against the Angels, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

Hammel has stressed that his goal entering spring training was to make his changeup an effective pitch. He seems encouraged by his progress with the offering, even if the results Sunday were less than stellar (seven runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings). The right-hander suggested he will alter his pitch mix and pitch differently during the regular season. Following one final spring tuneup, Hammel will start the Royals' third game of the regular season, April 6 at Minnesota.

Sale allowed six hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in Sunday's game against the Twins, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale declared himself ready to go following his 91-pitch outing. He allowed baserunners in four of his five innings but avoided damage with the help of his defense -- a runner cut down at home, a runner picked off and a runner caught stealing. He'll have a shorter outing Friday, weather permitting, when the Red Sox face the Nationals in an exhibition game in Washington, D.C., before taking the ball in the second game of the regular season next week. Over 21 spring innings, Sale has struck out 26 and walked just two. He's ready.

Gibson threw six scoreless innings with four strikeouts in Sunday's loss to Boston to lower his spring training ERA to 1.59. Gibson will make a minor league spring start Friday and then start Minnesota's third game of the regular season on April 6, MLB.com reports.

Gibson altered his delivery in the offseason to help reduce shoulder pain and the new mechanics could point toward a bounceback season after a disappointing 5.07 ERA last year. He has just a 6.1 K/9 this spring, however, as he'll likely need to improve his strikeout rate to make a significant leap this year.

Snell (2-2), who struck out three but gave up four earned runs on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox, threw his fastball with more conviction, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Although Snell exhibited better control in terms of issuing only one free pass, he still threw 92 pitches and allowed a three-run home run to Pablo Sandoval. On the positive side, the young lefty did appear to have more confidence while deploying his fastball and also used his slider effectively. Snell noticed the difference in his approach while still acknowledging he has plenty of room for improvement. "I was happy with the way I attacked the zone,'' Snell said. "I felt like I took a stride, I felt like I was more into it, more believing in what I have, more aggressive. Definitely taking that positive, knowing there's a bunch I still need to work on.''

Rucinski was assigned to Minnesota's minor league camp Sunday.

Rucinski had a 6.48 ERA in spring training and was a long shot for a roster spot. At 28 this season and with just a 6.74 K/9 last season at Triple-A, he wouldn't appear to have much upside. He'll likely add depth at Triple-A Rochester.