MLB Player News

France (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Wednesday and is on track to begin the season in the Astros' rotation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

France came into camp battling some right shoulder inflammation but has made steady progress since then. He should be cleared for games soon after if Wednesday's live BP session goes well, giving him time to ramp up for Opening Day.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Giolito felt right elbow soreness after his last Grapefruit League appearance and is not expected to be ready Opening Day, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito will have the elbow checked out before more is known, but Cora admitted to being concerned about the right-hander, suggesting this could be a long-term absence. Both Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock would now appear locks for the Red Sox rotation, although the calls for the team to sign Jordan Montgomery no doubt will grow louder.

Taillon hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game yet this spring, as he's working on repeating his mechanics to keep from striding and landing open, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He had a good second half with the Cubs last year (3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), so it's a little concerning that he showed up to camp with mechanical issues. Taillon was scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, so he is at least healthy enough to throw at full strength, even though he has also dealt with calf tightness this spring. If all went well Monday, the plan is for Taillon to get into a Cactus League game this weekend.

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.