MLB Player News

The Athletics have optioned pitcher Chris Bassitt to Triple-A Nashville.

Bassitt was part of the deal that shipped Jeff Samardzija to Chicago. He surrendered 13 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings this spring.

"It was going to be somebody, and as far as depth goes, we always want one or two guys ready to go, and that's the message we gave Chris," said manager Bob Melvin. "We did go over some things we thought he needed to work on. He was a little disappointed in his performance, but we certainly know what he has to offer. My guess is he will be a factor at some point for us this year."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon still hasn't decided between Taijuan Walker and Roenis Elias in the battle for the final spot in the starting rotation. That may be because he doesn't have to. 

The News Tribune reported that "all signs point to" the Mariners using a modified six-man rotation, featuring both Walker and Elias, this season. The setup would save wear and tear on the starting staff, so they'd be fresher in the event the Mariners make the postseason. 

Team officials still haven't confirmed the plan. 

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said pitcher Justin Verlander said he was feeling better Sunday, and Verlander was able to take part in light tossing, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Verlander left Friday's start due to cramping in his triceps. Ausmus said Saturday that there were no plans to send the pitcher for an MRI.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly is expected to throw a bullpen session Sunday and could throw live batting practice during his next throwing session, according to manager Kevin Cash per the Tampa Bay Times.

Smyly, who is recovering shoulder tendinitis, has thrown two bullpen sessions since picking up the injury. There is still hope Smyly will be able to pitch in a game before the end of spring training.

Indians rotation hopeful T.J. House is scheduled to start on Sunday against the White Sox, according to MLB.com. House will replace Carlos Carrasco, who was scratched for personal reasons. Carrasco is out out of town for the birth of his child, per MLB.com.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale took pitchers' fielding practice with the rest of the staff on Saturday, per Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago.

Sale has been throwing simulated games and is nearing a comeback to game action after suffering a broken foot earlier in camp. 

Justin Verlander was having his best outing of the spring on Friday before being forced to leave in the third inning with an arm cramp. 

"The first couple were nice and easy," Verlander said, per MLive.com. "and then I threw a curveball and it just kind of felt like when I got extended that my tricep kind of grabbed on me a little bit. Then from that point on, the rest of the pitches I threw there was a similar feeling. When I got fully extended out, it just kind of felt crampy. It was weird. I've never really felt anything like that before. But it doesn't seem like anything serious."

On Saturday morning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said that there has "been no mention" of an MRI for Verlander, per MLive's James Schmehl. "They're still quantifying it as a cramp."

Ausmus added, "As of right now, I have no reason not to expect him to pitch in his next start."

Verlander is scheduled to do light tossing in the next day or two to see how he feels, Asmus said. 

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb, who is not expected to be ready for the start of the season due to forearm tendinitis, played catch at a distance of 60-75 feet. The Rays had him throw at least 30 times with athletic trainer Ron Porterfield on Saturday, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Cobb said it's "square 1 but I don't think there's as many squares,'' per the Times. He expects to rejoin the team at some point in April.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon still hasn't named a winner in the battle for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. 

RHP Taijuan Walker and LHP Roenis Elias are in the running for the spot. Walker has a 0.00 ERA in 18 innings this spring, while Elias' ERA is 6.75. 

McClendon said he wouldn't announce his fifth starter until the final week of spring. Saturday marks the start of the final week, and McClendon said he'd "be close" to making the call, per MLB.com's Greg Johns.

The White Sox will probably have pitcher Carlos Rodon start the season in the minors. 

The number two overall pick in last year's draft, Rodon still needs to work on his changeup, in the opinion of manager Robin Ventura. 

"Everybody has different opinions on him, but you don’t want to put him in there with one pitch or two pitches," Ventura said, per ESPN's Doug Padilla. "You want him to be armed with the things that make him successful and you don’t want him to come up here and be a flash in the pan, and he’s got to go down and work on stuff. He needs to be a complete product when he comes out of here."

Rodon has made progress with the changeup, so it may not be a long time before he's in Chicago to stay. 

"The changeup is getting much better every time he goes out there," Ventura said.