MLB Player News

Scherzer (thumb) will start Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer's right thumb bounced back well from Thursday's bullpen session, officially clearing the way for him to return to Grapefruit League action. He is targeting 60-to-65 pitches Saturday and, as long as he doesn't have a setback with the thumb that day or Sunday, will be ready to roll for the start of the regular season.

Rocker allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rockies.

Although not a perfect outing, Thursday's effort was Rocker's best in four Cactus League appearances. He had allowed 11 runs over his first 4.1 innings this spring, but this latest effort represents a second straight encouraging outing. The 25-year-old right-hander threw 76 pitches (47 strikes), as he continued to refine the mechanical issues that were on display in his first two starts. Rocker is poised to slot into the Rangers' rotation after the club lost Cody Bradford (elbow) and Jon Gray (wrist) to injuries last week.

Whitley (knee) is not likely to be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley suffered the injury in a Grapefruit League game in mid-March and there has been no news of him resuming throwing or other baseball activities. However, general manager Dana Brown did say he expects Whitley to be available at some point in April.

The Blue Jays optioned Bloss to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Bloss allowed eight earned runs across eight innings in four appearances during spring training. His best outing came in his most recent appearance March 10, when he pitched three scoreless frames. It was thought the 23-year-old had a chance at cracking the rotation to begin the season depending on the availability of Max Scherzer (thumb), but Bloss will have to wait to make his Blue Jays debut.

White Sox manager Will Venable said that Thorpe will undergo imaging after leaving his appearance in a minor-league game Thursday due to right elbow discomfort, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Thorpe has encountered multiple setbacks since he had surgery last September to remove a bone spur from the elbow. More will be known once the right-hander's test results are in, but Thorpe could be looking at an extended absence.

Wright (shoulder/hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright was initially behind early on in camp as he continues to work his way back from October 2023 right shoulder surgery, and he suffered an additional setback in the form of a hamstring strain in late February. The righty is now ramping things back up, but it's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in a game.

Carrasco pitched five scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League game against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk while striking out three batters.

Carrasco allowed a single to the first batter he faced, then retired the next six hitters and ended up allowing just four baserunners in the outing. The veteran righty was efficient in needing just 54 pitches to get through five frames, and he lowered his spring ERA to 1.69. Carrasco also has a 0.94 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 16 innings during the exhibition slate, and he's likely to have earned a spot in New York's season-opening rotation due to his superb spring.

Lynch is expected to open the season in the Royals' bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

He had been competing with Kris Bubic for the final spot in the rotation, but Lynch made a relief appearance Wednesday and is set for another one Friday as the Royals prep him for a bullpen role. Lynch proved to be a weapon in relief last season, collecting a 1.84 ERA and 27:8 K:BB over 29.1 regular-season innings.

Bubic is likely to open the season as the Royals' fifth starter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Daniel Lynch gave himself a fighting chance to nab a rotation spot with a strong showing this spring, but he made a one-inning relief appearance Wednesday and is scheduled for another relief outing Friday, which points to Bubic opening in the rotation. Bubic has yielded six runs with a 13:3 K:BB over 13 innings this spring and will look to carry over his success last season as a reliever (32.2 percent strikeout rate over 30.1 regular-season innings) into the rotation.

Scherzer (thumb) said Thursday that he's tentatively lined up to pitch in a game Saturday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Scherzer got through a bullpen session Thursday without any apparent issues, but he will have to wait and see how his right thumb recovers before he's cleared to pitch Saturday. If he is able to take the ball this weekend, the goal is to get up to the 65-to-70 pitch count, which would set him up to be ready to make his first start of the regular season.