MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher James Paxton got a late start to the spring and finished spring training with a 7.84 ERA but said he's not concerned with his spring numbers, MLB.com reports.

"I didn’t get the results, obviously," Paxton said. "But I felt like I got myself ready. I feel like my arm is where I need it to be to take that next step up here. I know it didn’t look like it, but I felt like I threw some good pitches and my stuff is where I want to be right now. Once I get out on the mound and it’s for real, it’ll change a little bit."

Paxton will square off with the Angels Tuesday, and he went 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA against the team in 2014, including picking up two wins in the first seven days of the season.

"We know each other pretty well now," Paxton said. "Then it becomes baseball. It’s the game within the game now, the chess match. They know what I’ve got. I know what they’ve got. So it makes it fun."

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was hoping to make his season debut Sunday, but his status may be in doubt, according to MLive.com.

Verlander, who is dealing with a triceps injury, was expected to be placed on the 15-day DL with the injury, but the team decided to hold him off in the hopes of making the start Saturday.

He tossed a 40 pitch bullpen session Monday.

"Ver threw (Sunday) off the mound," Ausmus said. "He felt great. The last couple pitches not as great. We'll wait to talk to him today to see how he feels."

If Verlander is placed on the DL Wednesday or later in the week, the Tigers are likely to bring up another starter to take his place, according to MLB.com.

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb, who is on the 15-day disabled list due to a forearm injury, played catch Tuesday, per the Tampa Bay Times. He called it the "best day yet."

The Indians have completed their new contract for pitcher Carlos Carrasco, the team announced Tuesday. Carrasco signed a four-year deal through 2018 with two club options included. 

The deal is believed to be worth roughly $22 million over the life of the contract, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Carrasco posted a 2.55 ERA with an 8-7 record and 140 strikeouts over 134 innings in 2014.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is targeting a late-season return, even though it is unlikely he will play this season after suffering a torn ACL in March.

“I know they’re saying I’m going to be out the whole year, but I still have hope. My thought process is I’m going to be ready for September,” Stroman said, per Sportsnet.ca. “I’m not going to rush it. I would never come back prematurely. I’m going to make sure I’m absolutely 100 percent when I come back. But I want to be back on the mound in September. That’s what I’m working towards.”

Stroman is no longer on crutches. He is walking and performing leg lifts in a pool. He has worked out on a stationary bike, as well as complete a series of body weight squats and lunges.

“I’m ahead of schedule. It’s coming along pretty quick,” Stroman said. “There’s still some pain now and then. But it’s part of the process. I’m not scared to push it. I’m not gonna push it over the limit, but I’m gonna push it to the limit.”

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray tossed a one-hit gem in Monday's opener against the Rangers. Gray went eight strong innings with three strikeouts and one walk on 98 pitches.

Gray carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, but allowed a lead off single to Ryan Rua. He did not get any further as Gray induced a double play on the next at-bat.

Gray is next scheduled to take on the Mariners on April 11 in Oakland.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber struck out seven in the team's 2-0 loss against the Astros on Opening Day.

"I started off well," Kluber said, per MLB.com. "I felt like maybe a little bit, as it got later in the game, I lost my fastball command just a little bit and didn't quite locate some two-strike pitches like I would've wanted to. But, in general, overall, I felt pretty good."

Kluber, 28, gave up three hits in 7 1/3 innings pitched with two walks on 102 pitches. 

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel pitched seven shutout innings in the team's Opening Day 2-0 win over the Indians.

Keuchel fanned four batters while giving up three hits and three walks. The left-hander had an ERA of 2.93 with 146 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched last season. 

After throwing 72 pitches over five innings during a minor-league game Monday, White Sox pitcher Chris Sale appears ready to start Sunday's game against the Twins, the team announced.

Sale is in line to start Sunday's game as long as there are no unforeseen adjustments to the starting rotation.

"He's ready to go," pitching coach Don Cooper said, per CSN Chicago.

Sale is starting the season on the 15-day DL with a foot injury.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly will make his first rehab start Thursday for the team's Class A affiliate, reports The Tampa Tribune.

Smyly is scheduled to throw two innings in the game. Smyly will open the season on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.