MLB Player News

Possible Athletics ace Sonny Gray showed why he is in the discussion to earn that role on Saturday. He pitched two shutout innings against Texas and struck out two. He was able to escape jams precipitated by two walks and two hits.

Gray showed his talent in 10 starts as a rookie in 2013. He was 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA. Most impressive was that he surrendered just 51 hits and fanned 67 in 64 innings.

Mariners top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker tried Saturday to reverse the negativity revolving around a shoulder ailment that motivated the team to shut him down for a week, per ESPN. He downplayed it, calling it a "little bursitis."

Walker is seeking a spot in the rotation. That drive might have already been hndered and could be destroyed if the pain lingers.

Mariners pitching prospect James Paxton pitched two perfect innings and struck out one in his spring debut Friday as the Mariners defeated the Padres, 12-1.

Paxton put together an impressive first performance as he looks to win a rotation spot while two other prominent Seattle pitchers deal with injuries.

"I'm trying to pick up where I left off last year," Paxton told MLB.com. "I'm really just focused on executing pitches right now and trying to get everything refined so it's ready for game time when the season rolls around."

Paxton "left off" at the end of last season by going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 21:7 K:BB ratio in 24 innings over four September starts with the Mariners.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was in midseason form in his spring debut Friday, striking out four and walking none while allowing just one hit in 2 2/3 innings as the White Sox fell to the Dodgers, 5-0.

Sale is the unquestioned White Sox ace and a Cy Young award hopeful after finishing in the top six of the award voting in back-to-back seasons. He went 11-14 with a 3.07 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 226:46 K:BB ratio in 2013.

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker has been shut down for seven days due to shoulder inflammation, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. 

Walker came into camp dealing with shoulder issues. He had an exam in Los Angeles, which revealed the issue. Walker was said to be nearing a mound session prior to the setback. If healthy, Walker is expected to compete for a spot at the back end of the team's rotation.

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber looked a little bit rusty Thursday, in his first appearance of the spring against the Reds. Kluber pitched just one inning, and had trouble settling in. He was tagged for two runs on two hits, with both of them going for extra bases.

Kluber's spot in the rotation should be pretty secure entering the season, after he went 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 147 1/3 innings over 24 starts a year ago. 

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco put in a good first bid for a rotation spot in his spring training debut against the Reds Thursday.

Carrasco was the third Indians starter to work in the game, but looked like the best on this day. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings while returning the Reds in order. He struck out two batters in his relief outing.

Carrasco has been unable to live up to his top prospect ranking in parts of four major-league seasons. The soon-to-be 27-year-old posted a 6.75 ERA ion 46 2/3 innings a year ago. 

Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson got just a bit of work in Thursday's spring training opener against the Reds. He tossed one scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two in a 12-3 win.

Masterson is expected to be the team's No. 1 starter again this year, coming off a season that saw him post a 3.45 ERA in 193 innings of work. 

Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish had little trouble shaking off the rust in his spring debut against the Royals Thursday.

Darvish pitched just two innings in his first start, but looked to be in midseason form, throwing 23 of 29 pitches for strikes. He struck out four of eight batters faced while allowing two hits in his scoreless outing, as the Rangers went on to win, 11-7.

Darvish took a big step forward in his second major-league season, and will be the team's opening day starter coming off a 2.83 ERA and second-place finish in Cy Young voting. 

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson expressed some optimism concerning his contract talks, according to the Plain Dealer.

Masterson and the club are working on a long-term extension. He's set to become a free-agent at the end of the season. When asked about a long-term deal Thursday, Masterson sounded optimistic. "Somehow, I figure that somehow, someway I'll end up still being here for a few more years," Masterson said.

He posted a 3.45 ERA in 193 innings last year.