MLB Player News

Nuno hasn't pitched great this spring, but he's a lock for a left-handed bullpen job, especially with lefty Charlie Furbush injured.

Nuno has allowed six runs and five walks in 12.1 spring innings. He has nine strikeouts, though. And he had not allowed a home run, often a problem for him, until Sunday. The Mariners are short on left-handers, so Nuno likely will pitch in a setup role, at least until Furbush returns.

Walker will be the fourth starter in the rotation this season, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

This was expected, but manager Scott Servais confirmed it Monday. Walker was shelled for six runs in his last spring start, but he's pitched pretty well overall with 16 strikeouts in 17 innings and two walks. If Walker takes the next step as the Mariners expect, he could have a breakout year after an inconsistent 2015.

Miley will be the third starter in the rotation this season, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

This was expected, but manager Scott Servais confirmed it Monday. Miley had a quiet spring training, but he had 11 strikeouts to three walks in 16 innings. He's an innings-eater, pitching at least 190 innings the last four years. If he does that again, the Mariners will be pleased.

Rodriguez (knee) will begin the season on the disabled list.

Rodriguez dealt with a knee injury during training camp and has yet to appear in a game, so he will need more time to get ready for regular season action. Rodriguez is one of the Red Sox's top youngsters, so the team will take its time with the rest of his recovery. He should garner consideration for a rotation spot with the big club once he is healthy and has built up his stamina.

Paxton, who was competing for the last spot in the rotation, was demoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday after getting hammered in his final spring start Sunday.

The Mariners didn't even wait for Nate Karns, who was named the fifth starter, to make his final start before demoting Paxton. That's how bad Paxton was Sunday and all spring. He gave up seven runs in each of his last two outings. On Sunday, he went four innings, allowing nine hits, including three homers, and three walks with no strikeouts. He'll work on his game at Triple-A and await injuries or ineffectiveness to hit the rotation. But this is a big setback for Paxton, who at 27 is no youngster.

Gausman (shoulder) will open the season on the disabled list but could still pitch as early as April 10, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Gausman's DL stint will be backdated to March 25, enabling him to return earlier in the season than simply 15 days after Opening Day. It will also likely prevent the team from having to add another starter in his place, as the expectation is that he'll only miss a turn or two before joining the rotation.

Despaigne was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Rich Dubroff of CSN Mid Atlantic reports.

As anticipated, Despaigne will begin the year at Triple-A, where he'll add organizational depth after spending 2015 with the Padres organization. Despaigne figures to be among the first two or three pitchers called up in the event of an injury or performance drop-off.

Worley could be released if he does not make the Orioles rotation out of spring training, MASN Sports reports.

Releasing Worley could save $2.6 million for the Orioles. It is too early to say if Worley will secure a rotation spot. He has allowed seven earned runs in 13.2 innings with a 1.46 WHIP in the Grapefruit League, but nearly every member of Baltimore's rotation has struggled and that could leave the door open for Worley.

Odorizzi (1-1) surrendered five hits, an earned run, and two walks over 6.1 innings in Saturday's 3-1 spring victory over the Pirates. He struck out six.

Odorizzi's strong spring continued with an impressive outing versus what was essentially the Pirates' projected Opening Day lineup. The 26-year-old right-hander upped his pitch count to 107 as well, in what was his last extended appearance before the regular season. His only real blemishes on the day were a hit batsman, as well as the mammoth sixth-inning center-field solo shot he surrendered to David Freese. Currently slotted for a Top 3 spot in the Rays' starting rotation, Odorizzi now has struck out 12 batters in 12 spring innings, and currently sports a 1.50 ERA.

Manager Paul Molitor confirmed Sunday that Milone would open the season as the Twins' No. 4 starter, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribute reports.

With Milone's position in the rotation solidified, the Twins will have to decide between Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey for the final spot. The soft-tossing lefty has looked good over his four spring appearances, but doesn't profile as much more than a deep-league option due to his historically modest strikeout rate and mediocre ERA and WHIP contributions.