MLB Player News

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander continued his spring dominance Wednesday against the Phillies and continues to show no lingering issues after undergoing core muscle surgery in January.

Verlander kept his ERA unblemished after throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday. The veteran right-handed hurler allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out seven.

Verlander has not allowed a run in 21 innings this spring (four starts) and has recorded 17 strikeouts. He's allowed just eight hits and five walks.

A right-hander who has never started a major league game will do so for the Rangers next Monday. Tanner Scheppers has earned the nod practically by default.

A back injury that knocked Yu Darvish out for the beginning of the season motivated Ron Washington to give the start to Scheppers, who will try to keep up with Phillies ace Cliff Lee.

Scheppers will be followed in the rotation by Martin Perez, Robbie Ross and Joe Saunders with the fifth starter yet to be determined.

Rangers ace Yu Darvish received a positive diagnosis on his back after being examined Wednesday by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, per MLB.com. He has no structural damage and can resume throwing Saturday.

Upon his return to camp, the team will devise a schedule that will allow him to return to the rotation. He has been ruled out for opening day.

The sigh of relief can be heard all the way from Arlington. Darvish emerged as one of the premier pitchers in the game in 2013. He compiled a 13-9 record with a 2.83 ERA, but more impressive was his 277 strikeouts in 209 2/3 innings.

It remains to be seen, however, if his back issues persist or prevent him from maximizing his effectiveness.

One bad spring start could not prevent Carlos Carrasco from landing the final spot in the Indians rotation. But one bad spring start might have cost Josh Tomlin the same.

Carrasco rebounded from that awful start with a decent one Monday. Tomlin, who had been brilliant in exhibition play, struggled on Tuesday. Carrasco was named the starter Wednesday, per WTAM-1100.

Tomlin was also the victim of having another minor league option left. Carrasco is out of options.

The Indians like the electric stuff of Carrasco moreso than the pinpoint control that Tomlin often brings to the mound and is required of him to be successful. Carrasco has performed better out of the bullpen in the past, but his 97-mph fastball and baffling movement on his breaking pitches motivated the team to give him another chance as a starter.

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker threw 48 pitches in three innings in a minor-league game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

"My arm felt good; I just got tired," Walker said. "But that's to be expected. I used my legs a lot today, which was a good sign. I wanted to use more legs, less arm. But my arm felt great."

Walker is going to start the season on the disabled list after dealing with a sore shoulder this spring. He's slated to throw another minor-league game this weekend.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale allowed two earned runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings while striking out three in his team's 4-1 loss to the Rockies Tuesday.

Sale closes out the exhibition season with a 4.58 ERA and 16:3 K:BB ratio in 17 2/3 innings. His next start will come in the team's regular-season opener Monday.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi surrendered three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings in his team's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox Tuesday.

Odorizzi was recently named the team's fifth starter and could challenge for the AL Rookie of the Year award if he lives up to his potential. He owns a 4.24 ERA and 13:8 K:BB ratio in 17 innings this spring.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura laid out his plans for the rotation Tuesday, with ace Chris Sale taking the hill for Monday's opener, ESPN.com reports.

Sale will be followed by Felipe Paulino, with Jose Quintana set to pitch the third game of the season. Erik Johnson will start the fourth game, and John Danks will serve as the team's No. 5 starter. "You are breaking up the lefties but also the righties in there," Ventura said Tuesday. "You feel solid with that. I think Johnny could be anywhere in there, right behind Chris. I feel good."

The Twins announced Tuesday they traded starting pitcher Vance Worley to the Pirates for cash. The Pirates said Worley will report to minor-league camp.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish has been scratched from his opening day start, according to the Dallas Morning News. 

Darvish will be sent for an examination on his back. He's expected to have a MRI Wednesday. Darvish was initially diagnosed with a stiff neck, but this issue sounds a bit more serious. Darvish will meet with the same doctor who performed Matt Harrison's surgeries last season. As of right now, Darvish has only been scratched from his opening day start. The team will likely determine the severity of his injury once the results from the MRI come back.