MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco allowed two earned runs on four hits in four innings while striking out one in his team's 7-1 loss to the Rays Tuesday.

It was just the second appearance of the spring for Nolasco, who threw two scoreless innings in his debut on March 2. He signed a four-year deal this offseason to front the Minnesota rotation.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (abdomen) made his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays, and had a pretty productive afternoon. Verlander didn't allow a run in 3 2/3 innings, while surrendering just one hit and two walks.

The right-hander, who underwent core muscle surgery in January, was 11 for 11 on strikes in the first inning and finished with 36 of 52 pitches for strikes, per The Detroit News. Verlander had two strikeouts. He faced a Blue Jays lineup that featured Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Edwin Encarnacion.

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is expected to throw off flat ground Tuesday, play catch Wednesday and throw a bullpen session Thursday, manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Although starting pitcher Taijuan Walker hasn't experienced any setbacks with his injured shoulder, the Mariners continue to take a day-to-day approach in his recovery, per the Tacoma News Tribune. The team will reassess his situation after throwing Wednesday.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander expects to throw 50-55 pitches during Tuesday's spring start, according to mlive.com.

Verlander is working his way back from offseason surgery on a core muscle. It will be Verlander's first start of the spring. Verlander posted a 3.46 ERA in 218 1/3 innings last year.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton allowed just one earned run on five hits while striking out two in four innings in his team's 3-3 tie with the Diamondbacks Monday.

Paxton gave up his first run of the spring Monday but still owns a 1.00 ERA and 4:0 K:BB ratio through nine innings. He's doing what he needs to do to win a spot in the rotation and will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely this weekend.

The Angels made five cuts Monday, with pitcher Michael Roth optioned to Triple-A and pitchers Justin Thomas, Jarrett Grube, Michael Morin and Mark Sappington being re-assigned to minor-league camp, MLB.com reports.

Roth pitched one scoreless inning this spring, while Thomas threw two scoreless innings. Grube surrendered two earned runs in four innings, and Morin gave up one earned run in two innings. Sappington retired the only batter he faced in his lone appearance.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana threw a bullpen session Monday and is on track to make his scheduled start Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Quintana took a line drive off the shin in his last outing but has improved since sustaining the injury. "It feels really good today. My leg is better," he said Monday. "I'm ready for the next start."

The White Sox plan to get him a few extra batters Thursday after facing just two in his last start.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish allowed two earned runs on five hits in five innings while striking out one in his team's 8-2 win over the Reds Monday.

Darvish had allowed two runs in five innings this spring entering Monday's game and matched those totals while moving to 2-0. He has managed just one strikeout over eight innings in his last two starts.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale allowed just two hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings Monday while striking out three in his team's 6-3 win over the Brewers.

Sale bounced back admirably after surrendering six earned runs in his previous spring start and now has two quality appearances to go with Wednesday's clunker. He has eight strikeouts and one walk while posting a 5.59 ERA in 9 2/3 spring innings.