MLB Player News

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman worked past an early mistake during Sunday's 7-7 tie against the Pirates in Grapefruit League play.

Gausman served up a leadoff home run to Starling Marte in the opening frame before settling down. He lasted four innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out eight. He has 2.45 ERA and 13:4 K:BB ratio over 11 innings of work this spring.

Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly gave up three runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings during his sixth spring start Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out two.

Smyly gave up a solo home run to Jeff Mathis in the second inning. He then gave up two more runs on a Giancarlo Stanton home run in the fifth inning. Smyly allowed just two home runs in five starts coming into Sunday.

Smyly's ERA went up slightly from 3.31 to 3.80. He has 13 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings.

Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish said Sunday he's not ready to throw a baseball two days after being scratched from his scheduled spring start due to a stiff neck. 

Manager Ron Washington said Sunday there is the possibility Darvish could throw a bullpen session on Tuesday or Wednesday before the Rangers leave Arizona. He could then throw one tuneup inning during the two-game exhibition series with Houston in San Antonio Friday and Saturday.

"I think we’ve got to wait and see how this issue progresses," Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News. "If not, we’ll go to a contingency plan. But I don’t want to say what that is yet."

The Atheltics announced their rotation plans Sunday for the start of the season, and manager Bob Melvin said Sonny Gray will start opening day (March 31) against the Indians.

Gray will be followed by Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Dan Straily and Tommy Milone.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber took a step back on Saturday, yielding seven runs on 11 hits and no walks while striking out one over six innings against the Rockies in Cactus League play.

Kluber saw his spring ERA rise from 5.02 to 6.64 after his sixth appearance. He has a 16:2 K:BB ratio over 20 1/3 innings.

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) pitched one inning in a minor-league game against the Padres on Saturday. He allowed one unearned run and two hits in his first game action of the spring.

"This one was almost like a tester game to see how it felt," Walker said, per the Seattle Times. "All that other stuff will come. I felt like my fastball location was pretty good. It's not where I want it, but I'm happy with it."

Rays manager Joe Maddon named Jake Odorizzi as the team's fifth starter. Odorizzi beat out Erik Bedard and Cesar Ramos for the spot, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Ramos will be moved to the bullpen and Bedard will likely opt out of his contract.

Odorizzi allowed six runs -- five earned -- on 13 hits and six walks while striking out eight over 12 innings of work in Grapefruit League play.

Rays blossoming right-hander Alex Cobb had his strikeout pitches working Saturday against Baltimore. He was nicked for three runs in seven innings, but worked his way out of jams by fanning 12.

The 26-year-old Cobb, who is established as the second starter on a pitching-rich team, gave up six hits, including a second-inning home run to Delmon Young, and walked none.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton gave up three earned runs on four hits and two walks in four innings while striking out four in Friday's start against the Padres.

Paxton has been solid this spring, and he'll likely break camp in the team's rotation. He owns a 3.18 ERA and 12:3 K:BB ratio in 17 innings.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven in his team's 3-0 loss to the Giants Friday.

Gray has been up and down this spring and Friday's performance put him back on the upswing. He owns a 4.02 ERA and 15:5 K:BB ratio in 15 2/3 innings.