MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson had his final tune-up of the spring Thursday against the Padres in Cactus League play. Masterson allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss. He struck out seven, walked one and threw 59 pitches.

"I was able to keep the sinker down," said Masterson. "I got a good battle out there. I gave up a couple of doubles and had to battle, which gave me a chance to work the mind as well. It was a real good tune up."

Masterson has a 4.76 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP in six starts this spring. He is scheduled to pitch opening day Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

"I feel great going into the opener," said Masterson. "It was nice to have a normal spring training. It was good just to see a nice progression (in my starts)."

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has come to terms with his demotion to Triple-A Columbus, according to MLB.com.

"I've got to go down there, finish my rehab, get some innings and everything, and be ready when they call me. I'm going to be ready," said Carrasco, who lost out on the competition for the final spot in the rotation to Scott Kazmir. "I feel happy with everything this spring. At the beginning, I didn't feel that good. But over the last three or four weeks, I've started to feel good again with everything. For the most part, I'm healthy and I'm just ready to go."

Carrasco faced the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate Wednesday, striking out eight in five shutout innings. He walked one and allowed a hit, while hitting 95 mph on the radar gun.

"They said he was just blowing guys away," manager Terry Francona said. "Most of the time when a guy goes to a back field, you'll see a velocity dip a little bit. Nobody's in the stands. His [velocity] spiked up. It's interesting. We're trying to get a handle on why that is. Maybe it's like he gets in a comfort zone, he's loose and he lets it fly. The good news is it's there. Now, you want to see it more consistently."

White Sox starter Jose Quintana had a 3.76 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 136 1/3 innings last year.

In 300 minor league innings, he produced a 2.76 ERA and 1.17 ERA, with over a strikeout per inning. The strikeouts disappeared in 2012, but that may have been in an effort to keep his pitch count down, as Quintana tired at the end of the year, with a 7.52 ERA in his final seven appearances. 

This spring, Quintana has a 2.19 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. He's also back to his high-K ways, with 15 in 12 1/3 innings. And if you want to play "Guess His ADP" -- you can't. Quintana is going so deep in drafts that we don't even publish it (he's 217 in AL-only Roto, though). To review: great ratios, could see a marked leap in strikeouts, guaranteed rotation spot... and he's being drafted behind Derek Norris and Alberto Callaspo. Bah. If you're looking for a sneaky pitcher to grab late, Quintana could be your man. 

I saw Thursday morning Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly, who recently lost out on the final spot in the team's rotation to Rick Porcello, pitched five innings in a minor-league game Wednesday, according to MLive.com.

It's interesting a pitcher headed to the bullpen is still being stretched out. I encourage all Fantasy owners to read between the lines here. It still looks as though the Tigers might be trying to deal Porcello and are keeping Smyly stretched out in case something happens before the start of the season. Fantasy owners in deeper formats, particularly AL-only, might want to keep Smyly on their radar.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander's Wednesday deadline of reaching an agreement on a long-term contract extension passed, but the veteran right-hander chose to decline to comment Thursday on if any progress has been made, according to MLive.com.

"I've got no comments on my contract," he said. "I'm one start away from opening day and I'd prefer to talk about that."

Verlander signed a five-year, $80 million contract in 2010. He's under contract through the 2014 season.

The Baltimore Orioles re-assigned pitching prospect Kevin Gausman to minor-league camp Wednesday. The team's first-round pick in the 2012 draft, Gausman finished the spring with 17 strikeouts in 16 innings along with a 3.94 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He will open the season alongside top prospect Dylan Bundy at Double-A Bowie.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter officially named Jason Hammel as his opening day starter Wednesday, putting Hammel up against David Price and the Rays on Tuesday. Hammel will try to reprise the role of staff ace again in 2013 after posting a 3.43 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 20 starts for the Orioles last season.

Vance Worley gave up two runs in five innings pitched during his last spring start. Worley surrendered seven hits, including one home run, and struck out five batters. He finished the spring with a 5.73 ERA. Worley's next start with the Twins will come on opening day.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander tossed 5 2/3 innings against the Phillies on Wednesday, giving up one earned run. Verlander gave up five hits and one walk, and struck out five hitters over the start. Verlander's next start will come on opening day.

Vance Worley has been named the Twins' opening day starter. The 25-year-old was traded to the team during the offseason, and will start on opening day for the first time in his career. Last season, he had a 4.20 ERA and a 3.85 FIP with the Phillies.