MLB Player News

Rangers manager Ron Washington didn't wait until spring training to name his opening day starter. Washington revealed Saturday at the team's FanFest it will be Yu Darvish getting the first start of the regular season.

"I think it’s obvious," Washington said. "It’s Darvish, if he stays healthy."

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowksi wouldn't provide Saturday a range of innings pitcher Drew Smyly will throw in 2014 as he converts back to being a starter. Though, Dombrowksi acknowledged the Tigers will have to monitor the left-hander's workload after throwing just 76 innings in relief in 2013.

The Detroit News speculates the Tigers might cap the 24-year-old pitcher at 140-150 innings. Smyly could be on a strict innings or pitch count at the beginning of the season as well.

Though general manager Dave Dombrowski expressed some slight concern earlier in the week, it looks like Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander recovering well from core muscle surgery. Dombrowski told a group of reporters Saturday he thinks Verlander's recovery is ahead of schedule.

"He's doing tremendously," Dombrowski said, via MLive.com. "He's very determined. He's young. You're talking about a world-class athlete, and sometimes they can take longer. His healing process has been very good and ahead of schedule."

That is an improvement from just a few days ago, when Dombrowski expressed caution about expecting Verlander to be ready by the start of the season. After being informed that Verlander will be able to play catch Monday in Florida, Dombrowski's tone changed.

"That's why I said, 'Let's see what happens,'" he said. "I'd be surprised if he's not ready at this point, from everything I hear. I mean, he's starting to throw already."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Friday that he expects top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker to open the season in the team's major-league rotation, MiLB.com reports.

Walker went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts with the Mariners late last season, and he was linked to a potential deal during the offseason that would have brought Rays pitcher David Price to Seattle, but the team decided not to part with one of the top pitching prospects in the game. He went 9-10 with a 2.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 160:57 K:BB ratio in 141 1/3 innings between Double-A Jackson and Triple-A Tacoma last season.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Thursday starting pitcher Justin Verlander is doing well two weeks removed from core muscle surgery, according to MLive.com. However, Dombrowski still left the door open for Verlander potentially missing the start of the season.

"He's doing great," Dombrowski said. "I'm not concerned for him being out an extended period. If he misses any time of the season, it would only be a very short time period. I'm not ready to say that he will. But he's doing very well."

The Tigers are confident Verlander will work hard to be ready by opening day, but they want to make sure he avoids any setbacks as well.

"We don't want him to push too hard," Dombrowski said. "We want him to follow the doctor's schedule. He's been under the doctor's guidance. He's stayed there so far. He's been doing phenomenal. He's already moving around. They say he's at the point where he might start doing some movement drills and all beginning next week."

Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has raised his arm slot to add deception to his delivery, according to MLB.com. Francona added the team would love to see Carrasco "take off" this season.

The former top-100 prospect is 11-19 with a 5.29 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 48 career MLB appearances (40 starts).

Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly has spent the offseason in Dallas working out in preparation for his move back into the rotation, according to MLive.com.

"It's been great," Smyly said. "I took some time off. Now, I'm working hard to get into top shape. I've put on like 20 pounds since the end of the season, so I'm happy about that. I don't think my preparation is any different though. Right now, I'm getting in the best shape I can and once spring training starts, I'll condition my arm to get back into the starter workload."

Smyly has confidence he will be able to make a smooth transition back to being a starter since he went 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 18 starts as a rookie in 2012.

"I know I can do it," he said. "I had a pretty good rookie year starting and I gained even more confidence pitching out of the bullpen last year. Being a starter is tough. It's about keeping your team in the ballgame and always giving them a chance to win. But that's where I believe I belong and I'm anxious to show everyone it was a smart move."

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told MLB Network Radio Wednesday starting pitcher Justin Verlander is eager to be ready for opening day after undergoing abdominal surgery in early January. However, Ausmus refrained from committing to a timeline for Verlander's recovery.

"He says he feels good," Ausmus said. "He's already making the case to be ready for opening day, but we're going to be cautious."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter reiterated Monday during an interview with MLB Network Radio pitcher Kevin Gausman will be in the mix to win a rotation spot this spring.

"We're going to take a look at eight guys, and [he's] a candidate to be one of those five," Showalter said.

The Indians and pitcher Justin Masterson exchanged salary figures Friday, with Masterson seeking $11.8 million and the team offering $8.05 million, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Masterson is in his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. He went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 195:76 K:BB ratio in 193 innings last season.