MLB Player News

Rays starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson is expected to be out until at least mid-May after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last week, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The paper suggests the Rays could sign a free agent or trade for a starting pitcher, but they do have in-house options to replace Hellickson.

Marc Topkin of the Times suggests Jake Odorizzi would likely be the top option to pitch in Hellickson absence, but also mentions Alex Colome and Enny Romero as replacement starters.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray is looking forward to his first full season in the majors, according to MLB.com.

Gray had thumb surgery in October, but said he's ready to get to spring training. "If I could, I'd get in the car and drive out there right now," Gray said. "I'm super excited to get started." Gray posted a strong 2.67 ERA in 64 innings last year. Gray said he doesn't like to set goals before each season, but admitted he's aiming to remain in the rotation for the entire year. Manager Bob Melvin had good things to say about the young pitcher. "He was the crown jewel of all the guys in the Minor Leagues and came up and made an incredible impact right away," Melvin said. "He has a very bright future ahead of him."

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski delivered another encouraging update Thursday on the status of pitcher Justin Verlander, who is recovering from core muscle surgery.

"He started to throw at the beginning of the week and unless there's a setback, he'll be ready by start of season," Dombrowski told MLB Network Radio.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is ready for the majors, but he said in an ideal world the right-handed pitching prospect would open the season in the minors, according to Sportsnet.ca. Anthopoulos compared Stroman to Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray.

Anthopoulos pretty much echoed the sentiments manager John Gibbons said earlier in January. Gibbons said it's possible Stroman makes the team out of spring training, but it's not likely.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura gave his projected rotation plans for the 2014 season during an interview with MLB Network Radio Wednesday.

"Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, John Danks, Erik Johnson and Felipe Paulino. That's probably where you're at, but other guys will come in and compete," Ventura said.

The Indians are not engaged in active conversations to trade starting pitcher Justin Masterson, sources told FOX Sports. Masterson, who recently tabled talks about a multi-year contract extension, will be a free agent after the 2014 season.

Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez said he's fine with the elevated expectations following his breakout run in the majors last season.

"I like when I’ve got a lot of expectations because I think everyone is looking to me and it means I’m doing better," Perez said, per ESPN. "I don’t have pressure now. I have more experience and (I) just have to work hard and do my job."

After going 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts last season, Perez said he wants to throw "more strikes after two outs." He added he also wants to get more out of his curveball in 2014.

"I need to make my pitches and throw strikes," Perez said. "I want to give my team a chance to win."

While the Angels missed the opportunity to sign free agent starting pitcher Matt Garza, they still could sign a starting pitcher, according to FOX Sports. Jason Hammel and Chris Capuano are potential targets for the Angels, major-league sources said. 

The Indians and pitcher Justin Masterson have tabled multiyear extension talks to concentrate on a one-year deal, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The two sides exchanged arbitration figures earlier in January, with Masterson seeking $11.8 million and the Indians offering $8.05 million. If a deal cannot be worked out, an arbitration hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20. Masterson went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 195:76 K:BB ratio in 193 innings last season.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the team will talk about a contract extension with starting pitcher Yu Darvish "at the right time," but right now they just want him focusing on the 2014 season.

"At some point, we'll sit down and talk with him just like we would on everybody," Daniels said, per ESPN. "He still has four years on his deal. I don't see a rush necessarily, but we'll address it at the right time. Right now, I'm focused on getting him in camp, getting him ready to make 33 starts this year."

Darvish can opt out of the final year of his contract, if he wins the Cy Young Award in the next three seasons or finishes in the top four of the voting in two of the next three seasons. He was the runner-up to the AL Cy Young award in 2013.