MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker continued his strong spring Wednesday, giving up just two hits and one walk in six scoreless innings while striking out six in his start against the Cubs.

Walker's talent has been undeniable in his trip through the Cactus League, as he's now up to 18 scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts and just four walks and six hits allowed. He's competing with Roenis Elias to win the team's final rotation spot and has done everything in his power to put together a spring deserving of the nod.

White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon shined in Wednesday's matchup with the Royals, allowing just four hits in four scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking none.

The third overall pick in last June's MLB draft, Rodon made it to Triple-A in his first major-league season while delivering a 2.96 ERA and 38:13 K:BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings across three levels. He's turned in a 3.65 spring ERA in 12 1/3 innings while striking out 19 batters and walking three.

"I feel like I'm close," Rodon said after the outing, per MLB.com. "That's a decision I can't make and that's up to other people. I have to keep doing what I'm doing."

Rodon won't make the rotation out of spring training but could contribute at the major-league level at some point this season.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray was rocked in a 9-9 tie against the Brewers, reports MLB.com.

Gray gave up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old is slated to be the team's opening day starter.

Over his career he has an ERA of 2.99 with 250 strikeouts.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale threw a short bullpen session Wednesday as he continued to progress toward an April 12 debut, ESPNChicago.com reports.

Sale is rehabbing from a broken foot. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch three times in "game-like settings," with his first action expected to come in a simulated game Friday. He could also see time in a Cactus League game and one start in extended spring training before making his debut, if he continues to progress well.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson records another strong start Wednesday, holding the Rays to one run on two hits while striking out seven in six innings of work.

Gibson's only blemish was a first-inning home run surrendered to Rays catcher Rene Rivera .

"I'll take the next two outings and keep trying to get sharp and just keep the consistency," Gibson said. "You're never exactly where you want to be at this game, so still working on things and still trying to iron things out."

Gibson has now started five games this spring, posting a 2.75 ERA in 19 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and seven walks.

Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Masterson threw 80 pitches in five innings during a minor-league game Wednesday, per the Boston Herald. He allowed four runs on four hits in the first inning before tossing four scoreless innings to finish off his outing.

"I need about two or three more (starts), and I think I'll be right," said Masterson, who is on track to start the third game of the season (April 9) against the Phillies. "This was a great one to go into next and to build on for the next two."

Masterson is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in four spring starts. He has five strikeouts and five walks in 12 1/3 innings.

Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly (shoulder) is scheduled to throw his third bullpen session Thursday, per MLB.com. However, manager Kevin Cash said Thursday he doesn't believe Smyly will be able to pitch in a game before spring training ends.

"Unless something changes, I think it would be a long shot for him to pitch in a spring training game," Cash said.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco was dominant during his minor-league start Wednesday. The right-hander struck out 10 in 5 2/3 scoreless innings, while allowing one hit and no walks, per MLB.com.

Carrasco was regularly pitching in the mid-90s and topped out at 97 mph. Carrasco has a 2.70 ERA through two spring starts.

"I felt great," Carrasco said. "I found what I've been looking for -- the same tempo as last year and the same mentality as last year and the location. That's the most important thing. My location for everything -- my fastball, curveball, slider, changeup -- that was great."

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb said Wednesday the pain in his forearm is "pretty much gone," per the Tampa Bay Times. 

"I can't even make it hurt," said Cobb, who added he expects to start throwing in the next few days.

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco allowed one run on three hits and one walk in five innings during Tuesday's spring start against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

Nolasco allowed his only run on a solo homer to Josh Donaldson in the fifth inning.

"Curveball was going pretty good," Nolasco said of his outing, per MLB.com. "Trying to attack, throw strikes. It's definitely not a lineup you want to pitch behind to, so I was able to get ahead and put away some guys. Got a little sloppy there in the fifth with two outs, but I was able to get out of that, so it was OK."

Nolasco has allowed just one run in three of his four spring starts. He has a 3.95 ERA.