MLB Player News

Odorizzi agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Friday that includes an invite to big-league camp.

The veteran right-hander was with the Rays from 2013 to 2017 and will rejoin the organization after sitting out last season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Odorizzi made 22 starts in 2022 split between Houston and Atlanta and had a 4.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 86:35 K:BB across 106.1 innings.

Sears allowed two earned runs on five hits over five innings in a Cactus League loss to the Cubs on Thursday. He struck out three without walking anyone but did hit a batter.

The left-hander opened the spring with five scoreless, one-hit innings across his first two Cactus League appearances, and although he's allowed a total of three runs over his next two turns, those have come across eight frames. Even more encouraging is the fact Sears has recorded 13 strikeouts while issuing just one walk, and he appears to be almost built up for the start of the season after his extended time on the mound Thursday.

Gilbert has allowed a combined 10 runs on nine hits, three walks and a hit batsman over the 4.1 innings covering his last two Cactus League starts.

The talented right-hander was hit hard by both the Rangers and Padres in those outings, giving up a pair of home runs to the latter. However, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports manager Scott Servais wasn't discouraged by Gilbert's overall performance versus San Diego, with the Seattle skipper noting "Logan's stuff today was the best it has been all spring" and specifically complimenting the life on his fastball and the late movement on his secondary pitches. Gilbert maintains he feels "pretty comfortable" after three Cactus League outings, and he lines up for what will likely be two more opportunities to work out any kinks before the start of the season.

Woo fired four perfect innings during which he recorded five strikeouts in a Cactus League win over the Brewers on Thursday.

Woo has bounced back from a forgettable Cactus League debut against the Rockies on March 1 to throw 6.2 hitless innings over his next two appearances. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports the right-hander needed just 38 pitches to record his 12 outs Thursday, necessitating another dozen pitches in a bullpen session after his appearance in order to continue building up for the start of the season. The Mariners will monitor Woo's workload throughout the campaign as they prepare to push him well past the 131.2 innings he threw in 2023 as a rookie.

Cole (elbow) will rest and receive treatment to recover from his elbow injury after it was determined Thursday that surgery won't be necessary, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Cole was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who determined that there was no tear in Cole's UCL. As a result, the right-hander will be able to avoid surgery of any kind. An exact timeline for Cole's return to the mound remains unclear, though he is expected to be sidelined for at least 1-to-2 months.

Henry allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Royals.

Henry's spring started hopeful, but it's gone the other way over his last three appearances. The left-hander allowed 13 runs on 22 hits and four walks over his last 8.2 innings, blowing up his ERA to 8.56. His primary competition for the final rotation spot, Ryne Nelson, has a 3.09 ERA over 11.2 innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo hasn't yet officially named Nelson the No. 5 starter, but that announcement should be coming soon.

DeSclafani (elbow) got through another bullpen session without issue Thursday and his next step is to pitch in a minor-league game, Nick Nelson of Twins Daily reports.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli wasn't sure which day the minor-league appearance would take place, but it's imminent. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but his availability for Opening Day remains very much in question. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has spun 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.

The Cardinals optioned Robberse to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Robberse posted a 4.28 ERA across 124 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season, but he surrendered six runs in just 4.2 innings during spring training. The 22-year-old right-hander will need to display more consistent success in the minors, but St. Louis' relatively weak pitching staff keeps open the possibility of a major-league debut for Robberse in 2024.

Irvin allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 innings versus Atlanta on Wednesday.

Irvin experienced his first struggles this spring -- he had not allowed a run over his previous five innings across two starts. Irvin remains in contention for a rotation spot, and there should be enough room for both him and Tyler Wells at the start of the season, but that will likely change quickly once Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) are given the all-clear.

Williams (elbow) is scheduled to resume a throwing program after three or four days off but will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Though the Guardians are optimistic about Williams' long-term health outlook after a recent MRI came back clean, his sore elbow will prevent him from breaking camp as a member of the Opening Day roster. Williams, who hurt his elbow last week during a weighted-ball workout, has shown improvement since being scratched ahead of a Cactus League start last Sunday, and he should be able to start ramping up early next week. Provided Williams steers clear of any setbacks with his elbow as he builds up to a starter-level workload during what remains of spring training as well as the early part of the regular season, he could be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 15 days. The Guardians will likely formally place him on the IL closer to Opening Day.