MLB Player News

Gray (back) will begin his throwing program on Tuesday after getting cleared by Dr. Anthony Romeo, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Initially Gray was shut down from throwing for three weeks, and he was cleared to resume tossing at the two-week mark, which is promising. It would appear the 27-year-old is ahead of schedule for his late-April return date, but Gray continues to emphasize that he remains without a timetable. He'll toss from 75 feet on Tuesday, and barring any setbacks, he should continue to ramp up his workouts until he is ready to return in mid-to-late April.

Giolito was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Giolito's stock is down and he didn't do anything to change that narrative this spring. He posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and six strikeouts in 9.2 innings, but more importantly, he was sitting at just 90 mph in a recent start and was struggling with his command -- the two main issues that plagued him last season. It's possible that he was dealing with a case of dead arm and he will be able to build up strength during the season, but it's also possible that the electric stuff that once had him positioned as the top pitching prospect in the game is never coming back. The White Sox can gain an extra year of control by holding Giolito down until May 24, so that seems quite likely.

Kopech was reassigned to minor league camp on Tuesday, CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes reports.

The young fireballer posted a 7.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in six innings this spring while with the big leaguers. His dynasty league stock is at an all-time high, but he still needs to improve his command and refine his changeup in order to safely project as a starter long term. However, even if he ends up in the bullpen, he has the stuff to be one of the game's most dominant relievers. If the White Sox were contending, Kopech could reach the majors in 2017 as a reliever, but considering they are rebuilding, it seems more likely that he will continue to develop as a starter in the upper levels of the minors this season.

Snell gave up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings in Monday's 5-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates. He struck out three.

Snell was "a little better" with his control Monday in the words of manager Kevin Cash, but still gave up a pair of home runs and issued another two free passes. The southpaw fired 76 pitches overall Monday, 46 of which found the strike zone. Snell is scheduled for one more extended spring outing, which is slated for Sunday against the Yankees.

Odorizzi fired 68 pitches over six innings in a Class A game against the Orioles on Monday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander struck out seven over his time on the mound, following a Tuesday spring start against the Yankees where he surrendered three earned runs on five hits over 3.2 innings. Odorizzi projects as the No. 2 starter in the coming season and outside of the aforementioned outing, he's been sharp over his other two starts. Prior to his encounter with the Yankees, the 26-year-old had given up just one earned run over his first two starts, and he owns a 9:2 K:BB over 7.7 innings thus far.

Miley (illness) feels a lot better Tuesday, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

He was scratched from Monday's start due to an illness, but it sounds like he will be back on the hill very soon. Despite logging a 6.17 ERA in 11 starts for the Orioles last season, Miley is a cinch to start 2017 back in the rotation, especially with Chris Tillman (shoulder) out indefinitely. While he really struggled to prevent runs last season, his 55:15 K:BB and 3.34 xFIP in 54 innings with Baltimore suggests he could rebound somewhat this year.

Paxton threw 80 pitches and recorded eight strikeouts over 4.2 innings in a minor league game Sunday afternoon, Doug Miller of MLB.com reports. "I definitely could have thrown more fastballs today, but we wanted to work on the curveball and the cutter and throwing them behind in counts," Paxton said. "I feel really good about where I'm at. I'm right where I should be."

The Mariners projected No. 3 pitcher gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks but, most importantly, he was able to work on different pitches in a low-pressure environment. Paxton has generated an 11:1 K:BB over nine innings across three appearances (two starts) this spring and is looking to stay healthy after topping out at 20 starts in a season in 2016.

Mejia gave up two runs -- both on solo homers -- over four innings with three strikeouts in Monday's win over Toronto. He has a 1.88 ERA with a 14:4 K:BB in 14.1 innings this spring.

The competition for Minnesota's fifth starter remains uncertain with both Mejia and Tyler Duffey having strong outings Monday. Mejia has put himself in serious consideration with his strong spring, but the Twins will likely wait to make any decisions until Jose Berrios returns from pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Musgrove needed just 59 pitches to complete five innings Monday against the Cardinals, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two.

Musgrove has pitched well enough this spring to earn a spot in the rotation, but nothing is official until manager A.J. Hinch says so. The 24-year-old right-hander has a 2.65 ERA through 17 spring innings.

Carrasco (elbow) successfully completed a minor league outing Monday and is aiming to make his next Cactus League start March 24 against the Cubs, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Carrasco fired his full arsenal in a controlled 33-pitch minor league game Monday against the Reds' Triple-A affiliate. The righty's fastball sat appropriately at 92-93 mph throughout the outing. After the appearance, Carrasco said that he felt confident in how he threw and was relieved his recent elbow swelling was just a scare. "My last game, I was trying to throw my breaking pitches, and I couldn't," Carrasco said. "My changeup was good today. My curveball, slider, everything felt fine," he said. Barring any setbacks, Carrasco is scheduled to make his next Cactus League appearance on Friday. If the right-hander continues to progress without issues, there is still a chance he could slot in behind ace Corey Kluber as the Tribe's No. 2 starter.