MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco surrendered one earned run on three hits and one walk in two innings while striking out one in Monday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

"[He was] good," manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "A couple hitters he fell behind and that’s where, when he works ahead, his stuff is [good]. Like today, his first inning was electric. He’s got the breaking ball and the changeup to go with it. He just needs to keep pumping it to where he works ahead. That’s where he’s going to have success."

Carrasco is competing for a spot at the back end of the team's rotation.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber allowed one unearned run on one hit in two innings while striking out one in Monday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

"I think [Kluber] looks good," manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "He’s strong. He’s on track. It’s just a matter of getting him built up for the season. I think Klubes is going to be just fine."

Kluber gave up two earned runs in one inning in his debut but remains locked into a rotation spot on the strength of his 2013 season, when he went 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 136:33 K:BB ratio in 147 1/3 innings.

Making his spring debut Monday, Twins pitcher Vance Worley allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings while striking out win in his team's 9-2 win over the Orioles.

"Today, I was able to locate my fastball, get ahead in the count," Worley told MLB.com. "I had some opportunities for offspeed pitches to keep those guys off-balance."

Worley, who is out of minor-league options, is battling for the fifth spot in the Minnesota rotation. He went 1-5 with a 7.21 ERA, 1.99 WHIP and 25:15 K:BB ratio in 48 2/3 innings over 10 starts with the Twins last season.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings in his spring debut Monday as the Astros defeated the Marlins, 4-0.

Keuchel threw 14 of his 17 pitches for strikes. "I came out of the gate, my fastball command was pretty good," he told MLB.com. "That's something I'm trying to work on here in the early part of spring."

Keuchel is making a bid for a rotation spot this spring. He went 6-10 with a 5.15 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 123:52 K:BB ratio in 153 2/3 innings with the Astros last season.

Twins pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Anthony Swarzak both tossed two innings on Sunday against the Rays. Nolasco fared well, while Swarzak got the loss.

Nolasco allowed just two hits and struck out one in two scoreless frames. Swarzak relieved Nolasco and allowed a run-scoring single to David DeJesus and a two-run home run to Evan Longoria in the third inning. He surrendered three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out one in two innings of work.

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb had no issues in his first start of spring training on Sunday, leading his club to a 6-3 win over the Twins. Cobb allowed singles to Danny Santana and Chris Parmelee. He allowed just two hits while striking out three over 1 2/3 innings pitched. 

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has been cleared to start Thursday, according to mlive.com.

Verlander looked good during an early bullpen session Sunday, and coaches decided he was good to go. He's been limited after offseason surgery on his core. He'll start against the Phillies Thursday. Verlander posted a 3.46 ERA in 218 1/3 innings last year. He's aiming to be at full strength by opening day.

The Indians had to shuffle their pitching plans after Saturday's game against the White Sox was rained out. Aaron Harang is scheduled to pitch Sunday instead of Saturday, followed by Trevor Bauer according to MLB.com.

With both pitchers fighting for a spot in the rotation, the team wants to get them game action. Justin Masterson will be bumped to the back fields as a result, and he will throw in a simulated game. 

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez is set to open the season in the rotation, so he doesn't have a ton to prove in spring training. He was a bit rusty in Saturday's spring debut against the Athletics, as he works his way back into game shape.

Perez allowed one run in two innings of work, though he allowed just one hit. He walked two batters and stuck out one in a game that would end in a 2-2 tie.

Perez is set to open the season in the majors for the first time in his career. He posted a 3.62 ERA in 124 1/3 innings in 20 starts in 2013. 

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman is expected to open the season in the minors, and he did not make a strong argument otherwise in his first start of the spring Saturday.

Stroman was the second pitching to take the mound against the Orioles, and struggled to get through his first inning of work before settling down. Stroman was tagged for two runs, both coming in his first inning, as he pitched two full innings. He gave up four hits and one walk, while striking out three batters.

Stroman is one of the team's top prospects, and put up a 3.30 ERA in 111 2/3 innings for Double-A New Hampshire last season.  He will likely make his major-league debut at some point this season.