MLB Player News

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Means (elbow) should be ready for his season debut early in the first half of the season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

It's a timeline without much clarity, but Means has been throwing off a mound and he should be ready to face hitters soon. The lefty has said previously that he hopes to be back with the big club before the end of April.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Bradish (elbow) is expected to rejoin the rotation early in the first half of the season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

It's a vague timeline, which no doubt was purposeful on Elias' part. Everything has been trending in the right direction for Bradish since he was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow in mid-February, and he recently progressed to bullpen sessions. The right-hander still has a long road ahead, but the hope remains that he can avoid surgery.

Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a strained left lat, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

He suffered the injury during his last Cactus League outing Tuesday. Rodriguez will be shut down from throwing until he's asymptomatic, so there is no timeline for when he might make his season debut. Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry had been competing for the final spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation, but they now will probably both be needed to start some games.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw another live batting practice session at Minute Maid Park on Monday or Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander threw a 20-pitch live BP -- his first of the spring -- on Wednesday and came away encouraged by how things went. He will travel with the Astros back to Houston on Sunday when camp breaks before facing hitters again early next week and likely upping his pitch count. Verlander is set to open the season on the injured list but seemingly could be back before the end of April.

Perez will begin the season on the 15-day injured list after being diagnosed with right elbow inflammation, Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald report.

This qualifies as good news, as Perez was cleared of any structural damage in his pitching elbow and will not require surgery. He will, however, still be sidelined for several weeks while the inflammation subsides. If there's a silver lining -- beyond the lack of structural damage -- it's that Perez's recurring fingernail issue will have more time to heal. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without the 20-year-old for at least the first month or so, until the Marlins provide a clearer timeline for his return.

The Brewers optioned Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Ashby came into camp with a shot at a rotation spot, but he allowed four runs (three earned) with a 3:4 K:BB over three innings and continued to struggle to regain the velocity he showed prior to his shoulder surgery. The left-hander could still play a major role with the Brewers this season, but he'll try to sharpen things up in the minors first.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday that it's possible Lorenzen will be part of the team's Opening Day rotation, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The Rangers are still determining when to slot their new acquisition, but they haven't ruled out him being part of the first turn through the rotation. Young also added that Cody Bradford will make at least one start early on in the season even if Lorenzen is ready right away, likely during a stretch of 17 straight games without a day off in the middle of April.

The Rangers placed deGrom (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday.

It's a procedural transaction for deGrom as he continues his rehab from last June's Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old began a throwing program in mid-February but still has a long road ahead as he builds his arm strength back up.

Irvin will begin 2024 as the Orioles' fifth starter, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Experience wins out here, as Irvin's 7.30 ERA and 8:10 K:BB over 12.1 innings across four Grapefruit League starts probably didn't merit a rotation spot. His starting role is tenuous at best -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) will miss some time to begin the season, but but he has a strong beginning to his 2024 campaign, Irvin is likely to head to the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk once one of those pitchers is ready to debut.

Wells will be the Orioles' No. 3 starter to open 2024, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells likely has a bit more job security than Cole Irvin while John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) work their way back to full health. Wells pitched to a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings across three spring starts. He's not guaranteed to stay in the rotation all year given his success in the bullpen in previous seasons, however.