MLB Player News

Quintana allowed just one run on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings but was left with a no-decision Friday against the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Quintana was efficient, as he needed just 63 pitches (49 strikes) to record 17 outs. He used the gigantic outfield in Marlins Park brilliantly to induce eight fly ball outs. Keeping a lineup as powerful as this one under wraps is impressive no matter how big the outfield is, though, and Quintana looks like he's in great form to continue what has been consistently excellent performances for the White Sox over the past four seasons.

Quintana will be the starting pitcher for Colombia's World Baseball Classic opener Friday versus Team USA, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander will toe the rubber opposite American right-hander Chris Archer in Miami. Quintana had a breakout year in 2016, amassing 11 wins and a 3.20 ERA, and he'll look to carry that strong performance onto the global stage as he works to help Colombia advance to the second round in their first ever WBC appearance.

Paxton fanned five and gave up one earned run on one hit over three innings in Thursday's 8-6 Cactus League win over the Cubs.

Paxton's only hiccup was allowing Anthony Rizzo's first homer of the spring in the first inning, as he then proceeded to retire the next seven batters he faced. Impressively, four of Paxton's five strikeouts came on called third strikes, as he got ahead of hitters with his fastball before using a sharp curve to close the deal. His performance thus far this spring represents a sharp contrast to a rocky effort last year, one that resulted in Paxton starting the season at Triple-A Tacoma. The 28-year-old has locked into a lower arm slot that already helped him up his velocity in the second half of last season, and his fastball has reached the upper 90s this spring on a consistent basis. Considering his strikeout victims Thursday included Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward, Paxton made a considerable impression. "Paxton was really the story of the day," manager Scott Servais said after his reserves rallied with four runs in the ninth to pull out the victory. "We swung the bats really well, but Paxton was really on top of his game against their 'A' lineup out there. It was great to see him using all his pitches and working both sides of the plate. Very, very encouraging."

Eovaldi (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Friday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The move allowed the Rays to add Jumbo Diaz to the roster and makes logistical sense as Eovaldi (who signed with the Rays in February) is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and has been ruled out for the entire 2017 season.

Snell gave up two earned runs on five hits and a walk over two innings in Thursday's 10-8 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates. He struck out three.

After a smooth first inning, Snell ran into trouble in the second, surrendering a run-scoring single and an RBI double. The 24-year-old southpaw needed 49 pitches to get through his two frames, struggling with his command throughout. It was notably the second straight appearance with just under 50 pitches for the lefty, although the previous instance, which came last Saturday against the Orioles, was over a span of 2.2 innings and in relief. Snell was well aware of what the issues were Thursday and already looking ahead to an opportunity for redemption in his next start. "Lack of command," Snell said when asked about his performance. "I liked my changeup a lot today, so I kept throwing it. But I just need to command the zone better. I feel like I know what I need to do, and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Boyd may be close to cementing the No. 5 spot in the Tigers rotation after allowing one run on three hits while striking out four over three innings of Grapefruit League work Thursday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The southpaw has a 6.75 ERA over 6.2 spring grames but has struck out seven without a walk, which makes a good case for him ahead of Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey. AL-only fantasy players could gain a productive asset in taking Boyd for the back end of their rotation.

Kaprielian's next spring training work will come in a Grapefruit League contest, according to manager Joe Girardi, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was shut down early in 2016 with a flexor strain in his elbow, and the Yankees worked him heavily in the Arizona Fall League to test how he'd recovered. New York's top prospect arm will face a bigger challenge with his upcoming start. With proper growth and nurturing, Kaprielian's polish and alluring long-term upside should earn him a spot on fantasy dynasty league rosters, and it could find him as a long shot to join the big leagues this September in a relief role.

McCullers is scheduled to make his next Grapefruit League start Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander dazzled in his spring outing Thursday, during which he fanned three hitters over two perfect innings and touched 96 mph on the stadium scoreboard radar gun. Houston plans to have McCullers work three frames this time around, and how he responds to continued escalation of his innings will go a long way towards solidifying his fantasy value. Though his control is still a work in progress, a healthy McCullers delivers in the strikeouts column, which makes him a potential profit pick in the middle rounds of mixed league drafts.

Giolito gave up some hard contact and consistently pitched from behind in the count, but allowed just one run over four innings in Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Giolito credited the defense around him, particularly catcher Kevan Smith, who blocked several pitches that landed in the dirt. It was the second shaky outing in three spring starts for the White Sox's highest-rated pitching prospect, but the organization is preaching patience with Giolito. The right-hander, who had a rough introduction to the majors while with Washington in 2016, will be given ample opportunity to get himself straight at Triple-A Charlotte to start 2017.

McCullers (elbow) retired all six batters he faced, striking out three, in two innings on 24 pitches Thursday during his Grapefruit League debut against the Cardinals, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander showcased his power curveball on two of the punchouts, with the other coming on a new circle changeup -- a pitch that could be the key to a sustained breakout. The righty topped out at 96 mph on the stadium scoreboard, as well. As long as he comes out of this appearance without complaints of soreness or something worse, expect McCullers to work three frames in his next appearance. Health concerns persist, but the 23-year-old revived the excitement that surrounded him last year before arm troubles kicked in. Hopefully, opportunistic fantasy owners still can take advantage of doubt to land him at a reasonable price in the middle rounds of mixed drafts. His high ceiling looks like it's back in play for 2017.