MLB Player News

Baz's (elbow) throwing program will be delayed by about a week after he tweaked his oblique while picking up a weight, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was close to being cleared to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring, but that will now be pushed back a bit. The young right-hander is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery but will begin the season in extended spring training as the Rays build him up slowly. It's unclear as to when Baz will be ready to make his season debut.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that Garrett (shoulder) will likely begin the season on the injured list, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Schumaker noted that Garrett "feels great" as he works his way back from some early-camp left shoulder soreness, but the team does not think it's a good idea to push him to be ready in time for Opening Day. The southpaw has been throwing bullpen sessions and a live batting practice session appears imminent. With Garrett expected to miss at least a start or two, it could clear a path for A.J. Puk in Miami's rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander has not encountered any setbacks and continues to progress well as he works his way back from an offseason right shoulder issue. However, the 41-year-old simply needs more time. Verlander has been throwing bullpen sessions but has not yet been cleared for live batting practice. It's not clear whether he will be able to get into any Grapefruit League games before the exhibition schedule wraps up. If Verlander is placed on the IL Opening Day, he would first be eligible to return April 11, although it would appear far from a given that he's ready at that time.

Bradish (elbow) played catch from 140 feet Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish noted afterward that his right elbow still feels good and also added that 140 feet is about the maximum distance from which he usually plays catch. That could indicate he'll be cleared to throw from a mound soon, although it has not yet been revealed when that will happen. Bradish is working his way back from a partial UCL tear in his pitching elbow and will begin the season on the injured list, but he remains hopeful of avoiding surgery.

Abbott allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out two over three innings in Monday's spring start against the Athletics.

The A's jumped on Abbott early, touching him up for three runs and five hits in the first inning, including Shea Langeliers' three-run home run. The left-hander met with more trouble in the third when he gave up singles to the first two hitters, leading to the fourth run. Abbott is in the mix for the final spot of the rotation; however, there could be two open slots depending on how Nick Lodolo (lower leg) progresses.

Henry allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Monday's spring game against the White Sox.

Henry entered the third inning following starter Brandon Pfaadt and made his third appearance of the Cactus League, getting up to 56 pitches. He was pulled in the middle of the fifth inning after bumping up against his pitch limit. It was the first time he's met with any resistance this spring; the left-hander breezed through his previous outings, allowing just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. Henry and Ryne Nelson are competing for the No. 5 starter job, and Nelson is set to start Tuesday.

Pfaadt allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over two innings in Monday's spring start against the White Sox.

Pfaadt, who made his second Cactus League start, was pleased with the results, particularly in the sequencing of his changeup and slider, per Jack Magruder of MLB.com. "We figured some things out," Pfaadt said. "The slider is going to get better as we go. Something clicks every game, and that's a win. Fastball location, I can do better getting ahead." Both he and the Diamondbacks coaching staff are focusing on his pitch mix, which was credited for Pfaadt's success over the second half of 2023.

Detmers pitched 1.2 innings in a Cactus League start against San Diego on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Spring training is generally a time to shake off rust, so Detmers' struggles shouldn't be read into too deeply. Still, it wasn't a promising performance from a hurler who is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Detmers' 9.3 percent walk rate last season was in the 35th percentile leaguewide, and improving upon that number could be key in allowing him to reach the potential the Angels assessed when selecting him 10th overall in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. His next opportunity to pitch this spring will likely come Wednesday.

Lopez gave up two runs with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his second spring outing to raise his Grapefruit League ERA to 7.20. However, Lopez says he's been experimenting with different pitches rather than focusing on results, including throwing a rare 0-2 sinker to a lefty (Matt Olson), the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "It didn't work out. He hit it like 600 feet to center," Lopez said.

Lopez has already been named Minnesota's Opening Day starter March 28 against Kansas City, so he has no worries about his performance this spring. He's healthy and working on different pitches and looks sharp early in the spring. The right-hander's first season in Minnesota was the best of his career, with Lopez collecting a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234:48 K:BB over 194 innings.

Quantrill completed two innings while allowing two hits and one run with no strikeouts or walks in his Cactus League debut with the Rockies on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Quantrill will serve a key role in the Rockies' rotation during the regular season after being acquired by the team this offseason. He had a strong debut with the club, focusing on pumping his splitter and sinker into the strike zone. His ability to use those pitches consistently will be a key to his success, as he'll want to keep the ball on the ground while pitching in one of the more hitter-friendly home parks in the league.