MLB Player News

Roth signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, though it doesn't contain an invitation to major league camp, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Roth will look to earn his keep with the Rangers, but will do so on a low-risk, team-friendly deal. He tossed a total of 124.1 innings with Cleveland's Triple-A squad in 2015, but a 5.15 FIP left much to be desired.

Alvarez (shoulder) threw at a distance of 135 feet Friday and expects to resume mound work in March, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "If you watch him play catch, it looks like there's nothing wrong with him," manager Bob Melvin said. "That was a great pickup, he's a guy who's pitched one or two on staffs before. We want to make sure he's healthy but we're really excited about having him."

The team is said to be tentatively looking to June for Alvarez's return, but the right-hander believes he could start pitching in minor league games in April, meaning a May return to the majors is not out of the question. After a 2015 season lost almost entirely to a shoulder injury, and following surgery on the shoulder in late July, the Marlins declined to tender Alvarez a contract for the 2016 season.

Keuchel will be the Astros' Opening Day starter, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

This comes as absolutely no surprise, but at least confirms what was prevailing wisdom. Keuchel won the AL Cy Young last year, leading the league in wins, innings pitched, ERA+, and WHIP.

Bundy is "ticketed for the bullpen," Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Bundy's arm is said to be feeling "great" after recent bullpen sessions, and he's likely to begin the season in the Orioles' bullpen, as he's out of minor league options. "Arm's healthy," Bundy said. "Feel good, physical's done, ready to go. I can pretty much do whatever I need to." Bundy has been a starter for most of his career - though his only two major league appearances to date have come out of the pen - but he'll transition to the relief role in hopes of finally being able to remain healthy. Bundy said the ultimate goal is to eventually return to starting, though at this point the Orioles will take what they can get from the former first-round pick.

Worley could suffer from a roster crunch if the Orioles sign Yovani Gallardo or another starter, MASN Sports reports.

Worley is the leading candidate for the fifth starter role at this point in time, but the signing of Gallardo would all but shore up all the rotation spots. Worley could fill a long relief spot if that is the case, but there is plenty of competition for just one bullpen spot. Worley is out of options and he may opt to look for an MLB job rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A. Worley's fastball velocity averaged less than 89 mph in 2015 as his K/9 rate dropped to 6.1 K/9.

Despaigne should be penciled into the Triple-A rotation this April, barring a surprising showing in spring training, MASN Sports reports.

The Orioles added organizational depth with Despaigne and he could get a chance with the Orioles if injuries take a toll during the season. Despaigne has been a starter historically, but the Padres used him in a swing role in 2015. After logging an 8.26 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in the second half of last season, Despaigne has something to prove before the Orioles can have faith in his services.

Yankees manager Joe Giradi said he thinks Severino can handle a 200-inning workload, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Even if Girardi believes that to be the case, there's no guarantee the Yankees' front office will be comfortable with such a heavy workload. On the other hand, Severino did toss 161.2 combined innings last season, so he shouldn't have too strict of a limit, if any at all.

Darvish (elbow) threw off flat ground Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Darvish did as he planned by showing up with all the other pitchers and catchers to Rangers camp Wednesday, and it appears he's continuing to progress through the Tommy John recovery process well. He is still slated for a mid-May return to the Texas rotation.

Verlander is expected to get the Opening Day start in Miami, MLive.com reports.

Coming off a strong finish to the 2015 season, Verlander is all but assured of the Opening Day nod. He'll kick things off with a favorable matchup, facing a shaky Miami lineup at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park.

Paxton will work on his curveball for the first time this offseason in a bullpen session Friday, 710 ESPN's Shannon Drayer reports.

He threw his fastball and changeup Tuesday, but has not thrown a breaking ball this offseason, so Friday will mark an important step in his recovery from a finger injury. Given Paxton's injury history, the Mariners made a point not to go into spring training relying on him this season, but he will have the chance to beat out Nate Karns for the fifth spot in the rotation.