MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker will throw a bullpen session Thursday, according to MLB.com.

The session will be closed to the media, as manager Lloyd McClendon doesn't want the issue to become a "sideshow." Walker has been dealing with a shoulder injury this spring. He hopes to return in April.

Walker posted a 3.60 ERA in three starts.

The Mariners are hoping injured pitchers Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker will return in late April, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

The team is unofficially targeting the third week of April for the return of each, meaning the pitchers would miss just three or four starts. Iwakuma may have the splint removed from his injured finger by the end of this week. Walker is "said to be doing very well" as he recovers from a shoulder issue. The team will have to piece together the back end of the rotation until both pitchers are healthy enough to make their regular-season debuts.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber surrenderd three earned runs on six hits in four innings while striking out four in his team's 12-7 win over the Padres Wednesday.

Kluber hadn't allowed an earned run in five innings over his previous two appearances after giving up two earned runs in his spring debut. He owns a 4.50 ERA and 10:0 K:BB ratio over 10 innings. Kluber was named the team's starter for the second game of the regular season after Wednesday's win,

The arrival of owner Paul Dolan at the Indians spring training camp Wednesday has some speculating that he will soon weigh in on contract negotiations involving ace right-hander Justin Masterson.

Masterson and his agent reportedly pushed forth an offer to sign for between three and four years for $40-60 million, according to various published reports. He can become a free agent after this season and is unlikely to continue negotiations past opening day unless strong progress is made.

He has yet to prove himself in back-to-back seasons, however, despite earning his third consecutive opening day nod in 2014. He peaked in 2013 by going 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA and giving up just 156 hits in 193 innings. He struck out a career-high 195.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, who just entered the mix for a spot in the team's rotation, made his first start of the spring (third appearance) Wednesday against the Rays. Stroman ended up allowing three runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out three in four innings.

Stroman tossed two scoreless innings before Tampa Bay knocked in two runs in the third inning. Tampa Bay added another run in the fourth on Jeremy Moore's leadoff home run. 

Stroman has allowed at least two runs in each of his three spring appearances. He has an 8.00 ERA and seven strikeouts in nine innings.

Twins starting pitcher Vance Worley had another rough outing Wednesday against the Pirates, and is not helping his chances of earning a spot in the team's rotation. The right-hander pitched in relief for the first time this spring, but gave up four runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out two in 3 2/3 innings.

It was an improvement for Worley, who was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings in his previous spring appearance. However, it's been all downhill for him since opening the spring with three scoreless innings March 3 against the Orioles. Worley has a 10.13 ERA through three appearances.

A lack of control could keep Orioles fireballing 23-year-old Kevin Gausman from landing a rotation spot out of spring training, ESPN has speculated.

Gausman was chucking his fastball at nearly 100 miles an hour in his last start, but has yet to throw his breaking ball for strikes, which could result in him being groomed as a short reliever. He walked just 13 in 47 2/3 innings a year ago, but his 5.66 ERA indicated a lack of an effective variety in his pitch selection. 

The Orioles' inability to sign free agent pitcher Ervin Santana is good news for Gausman, but he could still wind up at Triple-A Norfolk.

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker is feeling well, and "there are hopes" he will be ready sometime in April, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Walker was shut down with a shoulder issue during camp, and the team figures to tread extremely carefully with its top prospect. If all goes well, he could miss only a small portion of the 2014 regular season.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson tossed four no-hit innings against the Diamondbacks Tuesday, striking out one and walking one in his team's 7-1 win.

Masterson also hit two batters in the hitless performance but has extended his scoreless streak to eight innings this spring while allowing only four hits and two walks to go with six strikeouts.

After the game, manager Terry Francona named Masterson the team's opening-day starter, which will be the third straight opening-day assignment for the right-hander.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray allowed just one hit in four scoreless innings while striking out two in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Padres.

Gray was touched up for four runs in one inning of work in his previous outing but came through win a fantastic rebound performance in his third spring start. He owns a 5.14 ERA and 4:2 K:BB ratio through seven spring innings.