MLB Player News

Stroman threw six shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three during Team USA's Wednesday victory over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic championship game.

Stroman lost a no-hitter in the top of the seventh but still did plenty to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Only 44 of his 73 pitches resulted in a strike, but to log that many innings on that crisp a count proved efficient, and that approach makes his current and future fantasy owners smile. Stroman's strikeout rate doesn't befit that of a fantasy ace, and the right-hander comes in a notch below that tier. Still, even after the added WBC stretch, the control- and groundball-happy right-hander should chew up close to 200 innings and could enjoy a bump in whiffs now that he's another year removed from a torn ACL.

Berrios gave up three runs over 1.2 innings for Puerto Rico in Wednesday's World Baseball Classic championship game loss.

Berrios was impressive in striking out the side in his first inning of work, but couldn't get a third out in a second inning of work and his runs were later allowed by fellow relievers. Berrios has thrown just 10.2 innings this spring between the WBC and MLB spring training, so he may be too far behind in getting ready for the season to win Minnesota's fifth starter role. However, the competition may not be decided until the final week with Berrios, Tyler Duffey and Adalberto Mejia the leading candidates for the job.

Rodriguez pitched 5.2 innings in a game for High-A Salem on the back fields of the Red Sox's training facility in Fort Myers on Wednesday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez tossed 85 pitches (59 for strikes) and struck out eight while walking one. He admitted pitching to minor leaguers is not the same as facing major leaguers, but was pleased to throw all of his pitches. With David Price (elbow) expected to begin the regular season on the disabled list and the uncertainty surrounding Drew Pomeranz (triceps), Rodriguez is certain to start the season in the rotation. Once there, his performance will determine how long he'll remain.

Cobb gave up three earned runs on six hits, a walk and a wlid pitch over 5.1 innings in Tuesday's 5-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates.

The right-hander improved as the game went on, overcoming the first-inning home run he gave up to John Jaso and the wild pitch that allowed Jose Usuna to score in the fourth. Cobb described himself as starting off "a little timid" and "too mechanical" before settling in. The 29-year-old was able to demonstrate improved command of his fastball and got his typical assortment of groundball outs with his changeup as the game went on. Cobb also worked on his curveball early in counts as he continues to refine his mechanics in anticipation of serving as the team's No. 3 starter.

Keuchel allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings in Wednesday's game against Minnesota, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Other than a lengthy third inning, Keuchel pitched well during his third Grapefruit League start. Overall, the left-hander was pleased that he was able to escape hitter's counts and induce weak contact in the form of nine groundball outs. All signs point to Keuchel taking the ball Opening Day at home against Seattle on April 3.

Stroman will start Wednesday for Team USA against Puerto Rico in the WBC finale, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will make his third start in this year's World Baseball Classic, and his second opposite Seth Lugo. Lugo got the better of Stroman last Friday, as he held Team USA to three runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, while Stroman gave up four runs on eight hits over 4.2 frames. Look for Stroman to rejoin Blue Jays camp before the end of the week.

Manager Terry Francona said that he'd rather Clevinger provide depth as a starting pitcher from the minor leagues than break camp as a reliever, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

Clevinger logged 53 innings for the Indians last season, posting a 5.26 ERA and tallying 50 strikeouts floating between the rotation and bullpen. However, the right-hander is a starter by nature and the organization plans to keep it that way. "You need depth starters," Francona said. "You can always bring him back to the bullpen. If you put a guy in a bullpen role, it's really hard to stretch him out." That said, Clevinger has been terrible this spring in his limited time on the bump (seven runs allowed on six hits and eight walks through 5.2 innings), and the 26-year-old is destined to begin the 2017 campaign at Triple-A Columbus.

Ramirez is still a candidate to make the Angels' starting rotation out of camp, The Orange County Register reports.

The 27-year-old turned in his best outing of the spring Tuesday, tossing five innings of one-run ball while striking out six in a win over the Reds. After the game, manager Mike Scioscia said that Ramirez was still in the running for a starter's spot. He is still on the outside looking in, but the former reliever picked a great time to have a dominant outing. Even if Ramirez doesn't make the rotation, he has a good shot at making the 25-man roster as a reliever.

Gray (back) will continue his throwing program Wednesday, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Gray started his throwing program Tuesday, making 20 throws from 60 feet and 15 from 75 feet. He came out of the session without any setbacks, after being shut down from throwing for more than three weeks. The 27-year-old is targeting a return in mid-to-late April.

Sale allowed two runs on four hits without a walk and struck out 10 over six innings Tuesday against the Yankees, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Sale was on form right from the start, striking out multiple hitters in each of his first four frames, including three punchouts in the second. The left-hander worked ahead in the count, keeping Yankees hitters off guard with his pitch mix, and got his pitch count up to 86. While he won't be able to pitch like this every time he starts, Sale is certainly capable of this kind of performance whenever he's handed the ball.