MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Cousin to Double-A Birmingham on Friday.

The 25-year-old was added to Chicago's 40-man roster in December, but he was never a likely bet to begin the season in the majors given that he has just two appearances above the High-A level. Cousin should spend most of 2024 in Birmingham's rotation.

Woo fired 2.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed a walk and recorded three strikeouts in Thursday's Cactus League victory over the Angels.

Woo had been roughed up for four earned runs on six hits over 1.2 innings by the Rockies in his Cactus League debut last Friday. Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports the right-hander needed just nine pitches to get through the first inning and threw 22 of his 38 pitches for strikes. While the Angels lineup was missing several key regulars, including Mike Trout, both Woo and manager Scott Servais came away pleased with the progress he displayed during his start. "He came out with a plan today and executed," Servais said. "He wanted to get both of his fastballs going and he did just that. He threw the ball really well. Great to see, super aggressive, had tons of strikes, and had really good stuff on top of it."

Gausman (shoulder) said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Friday that he would be ready for the start of the regular season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Gausman has been slowed by right shoulder fatigue recently but seems unconcerned, believing he just tried to ramp things up too quickly. The right-hander has resumed flat-ground work and is aiming to throw off a mound by Monday. It's possible the Blue Jays won't ask Gausman to start Opening Day if he needs a little more time to get ready, but at this point it looks like he will avoid the injured list.

Kochanowicz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday.

Kochanowicz made a couple scoreless Cactus League appearances, but that wasn't enough to keep him from being an early cut. The right-hander is in need of more seasoning after posting a 5.27 ERA in 21 starts between High-A Tri-City and Double-A Rocket City in 2023.

Eder (shoulder) was optioned to Double-A Birmingham by the White Sox on Friday.

Eder almost surely wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster anyway, but he's been sidelined recently with soreness in his right (non-throwing) shoulder. Acquired from the Marlins in the Jake Burger trade last year, Eder will be part of Birmingham's rotation once healthy.

Martin (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday

Martin underwent Tommy John surgery last May and was never going to be an option for the White Sox to begin the season. The 27-year-old has resumed throwing off a mound and will continue building up his arm before hopefully starting a minor-league rehab assignment sometime during the first half.

Irvin gave up two hits over four scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 27-year-old righty made his first start of the spring and looked much better than he had in two prior relief stints, firing 37 of 51 pitches for strikes and having few issues with what could very well have been New York's Opening Day lineup. Irvin is locked into a rotation spot for the Nationals, and while expectations are low after he posted a 4.61 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 18.7 percent strikeout rate over 121 innings as a rookie last season, he does have an intriguing 11:2 K:BB through his first 7.2 frames this spring.

Espino (shoulder) was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.

Espino is still working his way back from right shoulder surgery and isn't expected to pitch in games until around midseason. The top prospect didn't pitch at all in 2023 after being limited to only four starts in 2022 because of arm problems.

Miley threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday and said afterward that his left shoulder is no longer a concern, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

While the veteran southpaw no longer feels any discomfort in his shoulder, it remains a question as to whether he will have enough time to ramp up ahead of Opening Day. If Miley does ultimately need a stint on the injured list, it seems as though it will be a short one.

Quintana allowed one unearned run on four hits over three innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Facing a mix of likely regulars, bench players and prospects, Quintana breezed through 54 pitches (32 strikes), with Washington's lone run coming around in the second inning after a Joey Wendle error on a pickoff attempt at second base. Quintana is on track to be the Mets' Opening Day starter due to Kodai Senga (shoulder) being sidelined, and the former appears to be rounding into midseason form. Through 4.2 spring innings, Quintana has a 7:3 K:BB and has yet to surrender a home run.