MLB Player News

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Skubal will start Opening Day against the White Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Skubal seemed to be an obvious choice after he logged a 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 80.1 innings across 15 starts for the Tigers last season following a return from flexor tendon surgery. The left-hander probably isn't going to be a workhorse but nonetheless possesses ample fantasy upside for the 2024 season.

DeSclafani has been slowed in Twins' camp by right elbow soreness, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani felt some soreness following his second live batting practice session. While he's resumed long toss and hopes to return to a mound in a few days, the setback is a troubling development given that he missed much of the 2023 campaign with a flexor issue. For what it's worth, trainer Nick Paparesta said Friday that DeSclafani still has time to be ready for Opening Day. The righty is competing with Louie Varland for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander was not cleared to face hitters after Tuesday's bullpen session as hoped, but perhaps that will happen after Sunday's mound work. The veteran right-hander has been coming along slowly but surely in camp after some offseason shoulder issues, but he's running out of time to get ramped up by Opening Day.

Hudson is competing for a rotation spot with Ryan Feltner, Peter Lambert, Ty Blach and Noah Davis this spring, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies signed Hudson to a one-year, $1.5 million contract this offseason. He's worked primarily as a starter throughout his career, though did pitch out of the bullpen with the Cardinals to close the 2023 campaign. Hudson has struggled significantly the last two seasons, posting a 1.45 and 1.50 WHIP, respectively. He made his spring debut Thursday and allowed a hit and two walks across a scoreless inning.

Valdez will experiment with calling some of his own pitches during spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez will wear a PitchCom device that will allow him to send signals to the catcher beginning with his Grapefruit League debut Friday. Assuming the experiment goes well, he's expected to continue the practice into the regular season, though it's unclear if any other Astros starter will follow suit. Valdez appears to be making the shift as a result of the departure of Martin Maldonado, who caught every inning that he threw in 2023 and all but three frames in the last two seasons.

Flores, who averaged 92.9 mph on his fastball last season, touched 99 mph in Grapefruit League play Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Flores got a swinging strikeout on the pitch, and a sustained increase in velocity would be good news for the young righty. He was selected to the 40-man roster in November, and while he'll likely start the year with Triple-A Toledo, Flores could be a bullpen option at some point in 2024 if he's able to pitch well in the minors.

Shuster allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three across two innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Shuster worked through the first inning with ease, striking out two batters without allowing a baserunner. Trouble came in the second frame, however, as he allowed six consecutive batters to reach base. After the outing, Shuster noted that he was happy with his increased velocity but also acknowledged that he struggled to place his slider. He's in the running for a role in the rotation to begin the 2024 season.

Olson allowed two runs on four hits across two innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out three.

Olson allowed two runs for the second straight time in Grapefruit League play, though he cut back on the walks after allowing three free passes across 1.2 innings Saturday. He also showed better swing-and-miss stuff after not recording any strikeouts in his last start. The righty is in the mix to start for a rebuilding Detroit team in 2024, and if Olson can keep the walks in check, he may be able to take a step forward in his second MLB season.

Smyly allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across two innings during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Smyly allowed a pair of home runs in his two frames and was just hit around the park in general. The veteran lefty was much better in his first spring start Saturday, but he now has an inflated 11.25 ERA across four innings in Cactus League play. Smyly is competing for the fifth spot in Chicago's rotation, though he could ultimately end up in a similar swing role to the one he occupied last season.

Duplantier signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Duplantier hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, and he owns a 5.05 ERA across 103.1 innings in the minors over the past two seasons. He'll likely report to Triple-A Syracuse to begin 2024 and give the Mets organizational rotation depth.