MLB Player News

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Snell will pitch in a minor-league game Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Snell threw his first bullpen session Thursday since signing with the Giants and over the weekend will get into some game action. The left-hander has already said he will not be ready for Opening Day as he ramps up his workload following a late signing. It's not clear when he might make his regular-season debut, but the Giants will determine Snell's next steps following Sunday's outing.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Friday that Taillon (back) will begin the season on the injured list and won't be ready to return until at least mid-April, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander only recently resumed mound work after recovering from the back tightness that scratched him from a spring start March 9, so it's not a shock he won't be ready to begin the regular season. Taillon is throwing a bullpen session Friday and will need some time to build up to a starter's workload, so a mid-April return is likely a best-case scenario.

Carrasco has been informed that he has made the Guardians' Opening Day roster.

He has not yet been officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but Carrasco has been told he'll head north with the big club. The veteran right-hander could even open in the rotation while Gavin Williams (elbow) recovers. Carrasco has posted a 2.57 ERA and 9:6 K:BB over 14 innings this spring.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Gipson-Long (groin) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in any spring games while recovering from the groin strain he suffered early in camp, so it's not a big surprise he won't be available to start the season. Gipson-Long made his big-league debut down the stretch last year and had a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB in four starts (20 innings), but he may be pitching for Triple-A Toledo once healthy with Casey Mize and Reese Olson winning the final two spots in Detroit's rotation. Gipson-Long recently progressed to throwing live batting practice, so he could soon move on to building up his workload.

Cobb (hip) will throw 40 pitches in a minor-league game Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

He had been slated for his Cactus League debut Friday, but the Giants have elected to have Cobb throw in a more controlled setting instead. A stint on the injured list to begin the season is still expected for the veteran right-hander, but it's looking like he could be ready by mid-April.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Mize will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 as he spent last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he pitched well enough during spring training with a 2.35 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 15.1 innings, though he did walk nine batters. Mize lines up to make his first start of the season Apr. 1 or 2 against the Mets with Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty scheduled for the opening series versus the White Sox.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Olson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson posted a 4.12 ERA over 107 innings as a rookie last season and cemented his rotation spot during spring training with a 3.68 ERA and 14:4 K:BB in 14.2 frames. Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty are set to start in the three-game, season-opening series against the White Sox, lining up Olson to pitch April 1 or 2 versus the Mets.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

He was in a hard-fought battle for one of the final two spots in the Tigers' rotation, but the club has opted to go with Casey Mize and Reese Olson. Manning should still ultimately spend a good chunk of the season in Detroit's rotation, but for now he'll head to Toledo to start every fifth day.

Lorenzen said in an interview with Foul Territory on Friday that he will be part of the Rangers' rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Lorenzen agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with Texas earlier this week, shortly after getting up to 70 pitches in a throwing session Monday. It's not clear when he might be ready to make his first start for the Rangers, but the intention it to put him in the rotation. That means Cody Bradford -- who had been named the fifth starter prior to the Lorenzen signing -- will either move to the bullpen or to the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.

Gray (hamstring) won't pitch as scheduled in a minor-league game Friday due to heavy rain in the forecast, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Considering that Gray is returning from a strained hamstring, it's not a surprise the Cardinals want to avoid him pitching in poor conditions. The 34-year-old was scheduled to cover two innings and will likely make up those reps against hitters sometime this weekend. Gray won't be starting Opening Day, but manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday it's still possible the right-hander avoids a trip to the injured list and makes a start during the first week of the season.