MLB Player News

Ray (elbow) said Wednesday that he's been cleared to throw three times per week as he works his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ray was limited to just one start in his second season with the Mariners in 2023 before requiring the major elbow procedure. He was dealt to the Giants in January and appears to be on track with his recovery, though he's not expected to be available to make his San Francisco debut until sometime around the All-Star break.

DeGrom (elbow) said that he began a throwing program Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

DeGrom rested Tuesday before he resumed throwing Wednesday, and he may continue to limit himself to a few throwing sessions per week as he begins a slow ramp-up process from last June's Tommy John surgery. The Rangers are hoping for deGrom and co-ace Max Scherzer (back) to make midsummer returns from their respective surgeries, though no firm target date will likely be in place for either pitcher until they advance to the point in their rehab that they're facing hitters. The 35-year-old deGrom hasn't pitched more than 100 innings in any season since 2019 and will fall short of that threshold once again in 2024 while he's likely out for at least the first half of the campaign.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that France is dealing with shoulder inflammation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While it's less than ideal that France is nursing an injury in the early stages of spring training, Brown didn't express much concern, noting that the right-hander hasn't been shut down from throwing and is still able to play catch. France is likely to gradually stretch out his throwing distance before advancing to mound work in the weeks to come, but the shoulder injury is still likely to delay his Grapefruit League debut. So long as France is fully stretched out by the end of camp, he could still head into Opening Day with a spot in Houston's rotation.

Cobb (hip) said Wednesday that he hopes to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coming back from October left hip surgery, Cobb began throwing on flat ground a few weeks ago and is eager to take the next step. The goal is to progress to facing hitters before the end of spring training with an eye toward rejoining the Giants' rotation before the All-Star break, although any timetable at this juncture is tentative.

Jefferies (elbow) will not have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies has been sidelined for the past year and a half while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, but he's fully recovered now and will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. The right-hander inked a minor-league contract with the Giants in December and seems likely to open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Sacramento's rotation.

DeSclafani (elbow) is considered fully healthy at the start of spring training, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

DeSclafani was limited to 19 starts in 2023 due to a right flexor strain but told reporters Wednesday that he's been throwing for months. The veteran right-hander was acquired via trade last month and is competing to be the Twins' fifth starter.

Verlander said Wednesday that he's "a couple weeks behind" schedule after his right shoulder didn't bounce back as hoped during his offseason throwing program, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander referred to his ongoing recovery as a "hiccup" rather than a setback and added that he's thrown three bullpen sessions as he ramps back up. Though Verlander seems confident the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, the veteran right-hander notably missed the first five weeks of last season with a shoulder problem that developed during spring training. The Astros haven't outlined a timeline for when Verlander might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game.

The Rays placed McClanahan (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Tampa Bay needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Phil Maton. McClanahan will be sidelined until 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Buchanan signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Buchanan had a 5.01 ERA in 35 starts for the Phillies between 2014 and 2015, but he's spent the past number of years playing overseas in Japan and Korea. The 34-year-old righty started 30 games for the Samsung Lions of the KBO last season and had a 2.54 ERA and 139:43 K:BB across 188 innings.

Ashcraft indicated Tuesday that he's still not quite 100 percent after having surgery on his right big toe in September, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft noted that the toe is "starting to get better" but it will "take its time to get feeling right." The right-hander fully expects to be ready to go come Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be a little behind other Reds pitchers in camp. Ashcraft posted a 4.76 ERA and 111:52 K:BB across 145.2 innings covering 26 starts in 2023.