MLB Player News

Milone gave up one run over two innings with three strikeouts in his spring debut Friday as he battles for the fifth starter role with Ricky Nolasco, Jose Berrios and Trevor May. "I would say he's got a little edge because he's got a bit more of a resume," GM Terry Ryan told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Milone is also the only left-handed starter among all the rotation candidates, so that may also give him an edge. Milone had a 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP last year as a starter, but his mediocre 6.3 K/9 and a meager 87.8 mph average fastball may not offer a ton of upside. Still, he looks like the favorite for the fifth starter job early this spring.

Rodriguez played catch up to 100 feet and continued to give his injured right knee some activity (walking backwards) Thursday, the Boston Globe reports.

Thursday's activity represented slightly more work than he had Wednesday. Manager John Farrell said it was likely the left-hander will throw a couple of bullpen sessions before seeing game action, which could come as early as next week.

Nolasco gave up three runs and four hits in with a strikeout and a walk in 1.1 innings in his spring debut Friday.

Nolasco is competing with Tommy Milone and Trevor May for the final spot in the rotation. While it's just one outing, Nolasco likely needs to make a statement early in spring training to win the job, so any bad outing won't help. At least he's healthy after missing four months due to an ankle injury at the end of last season.

Bundy allowed a home run and retired three batters on fly balls in one inning of work Thursday and his velocity was his best since 2014, MASN Sports reports. "That's about as good a velocity as Bundy's had since the surgery. That was good to see," manager Buck Showalter said.

The report did not specify Bundy's velocity, but it is a good sign for him. Bundy pitched in April and May last year, was shut down, and made it back in time for a couple of Arizona Fall League appearances before being shut down again. The important thing is less about how Bundy performed and more about how he feels in the morning.

Darvish (elbow) reported no issues following his bullpen session Wednesday, the team's web site reports.

Darvish's bullpen sessions to date have been with the catcher setting up in front of the plate, but the next step here could be a bullpen session at the full distance. He's progressing well but is still expected to be sidelined until mid-May.

Rosenbaum, who started 15 games in Boston's organization last season, will be used as a reliever in 2016, the Boston Globe reports.

The 28-year-old left-hander was recovering from Tommy John surgery when he was traded to Boston at the beginning of 2015. Rosenbaum went on to post a 5.81 ERA in 15 starts between Short-Season Lowell and Double-A Portland last year. Boston manager John Farrell sees his low-90s fastball playing up out of the bullpen. Rosenbaum also features a changeup, cutter, and sinker.

Rodriguez (knee) resumed throwing Wednesday and had no issues outside of some swelling, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez didn't throw all weekend with the issue, but it appears that he's doing better after the time off. He has yet to throw off a mound, but it's good to see some progress is being made. His timetable will likely be determined in the coming days as he progresses more.

Rodriguez (knee) has been cleared to resume throwing, Sean McAdam of CSN New England reports.

Rodriguez tweaked his knee over the weekend, and the team prevented him from throwing over a 72-hour period. While the rest seems to have helped, Rodriguez has not yet been cleared to throw from a mound, and at this point the Red Sox are hopeful to have Rodriguez ready for Opening Day.

Paxton added a high fastball to his pitching arsenal and refined his changeup this offseason, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Paxton worked on those pitches because his recovery last autumn from a torn fingernail prevented him from throwing breaking balls. "My changeup got way better (in the Fall League), and that high fastball changed everything," Paxton said. "Guys were always looking down in the zone for me because I have that (12-to-6) angle. But when I change the angle, and have a high fastball, they can't cheat down there all of the time." Paxton needs to prove he can stay healthy this year after missing major time the last two seasons. He's 27, and it's time to blossom already. He'll make his first spring start Wednesday as he competes with Nate Karns for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Severino is slated to throw 30 pitches or two innings in Wednesday's exhibition matchup against Detroit, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The talented right-hander will get the nod in the Yankees' first exhibition game of the spring Wednesday and will be capped at roughly two innings of work. Severino figures to be gradually stretched out throughout spring training to get ready to handle what manager Joe Girardi hopes will be a 200-inning workload in his first full season with the big league club.