MLB Player News

Williams is opening the season back at Double-A Akron, MLB.com reports.

This comes via an article from the MLB Pipeline crew listing the starting level for each top 100 prospect, so it's possible it's just an error as it hasn't been reported elsewhere, but it would be pretty noteworthy for Williams' 2023 outlook if true. The hard-throwing righty dominated at Double-A for 16 starts in 2022 (2.31 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), but the Guardians have a bit of a roster crunch in the Columbus rotation. Most notable is the fact that Tanner Bibee is reportedly headed to Triple-A, so he would appear to be the current favorite of the Bibee/Williams duo to reach the majors first.

Miller will be sidelined to start the minor-league season due to mild shoulder soreness, MLB.com reports.

Miller is in line to make his MLB debut this season if he can pitch well at Triple-A and stay healthy, but he's already dealing with a shoulder issue to start the season. After a dominant spring training on the heels of a spectacular 2022 season, Gavin Stone is the more likely premium Dodgers pitching prospect to join the big-league rotation this summer.

Paxton (hamstring) tentatively appears to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list in late April, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

One of three Red Sox starting pitchers who opened the season on the IL, Paxton is without a firm target date for his return, but Abraham notes that the veteran southpaw is behind both Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Brayan Bello (forearm) in his rehab program. Of the trio, Whitlock appears closest to a return -- he'll be pitching Friday for Triple-A Worcester in the first of what's expected to be two rehab starts for the affiliate before he comes off the IL as early as April 11. Meanwhile, Abraham notes that Bello is about a week behind Whitlock, while Paxton is about 7-to-10 days behind Bello. Paxton is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment of his own Monday, but looks as though he'll need at least three starts to get fully stretched out.

Whitlock (hip) is scheduled to make a rehab start Friday for Triple-A Worcester, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Though he missed out on a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster while he continues to build back up from the right hip surgery he underwent last September, Whitlock will take the hill for the Triple-A club's season opener. Abraham's report doesn't specify what his workload will look like with Worcester, but considering he covered four innings and 63 pitches in a minor-league game a week ago, the right-hander could push toward the 75-pitch range Friday. After Friday, Whitlock is expected to make one more start for Worcester on April 5 before coming off the 15-day injured list and making his season debut for Boston as soon as April 11 versus the Rays.

Quintana (ribs) was in the clubhouse with the Mets prior to their Opening Day win over the Marlins and will begin his rehab this weekend in New York, Abbey Mastrocco of The New York Daily News reports.

The veteran southpaw underwent a bone graft on his ribcage after a stress fracture revealed a benign tumor this spring. Quintana has no timeline for his return to a mound, however, and a July return to the rotation still seems like the best-case scenario. "I don't know yet," he said Thursday. "I don't have dates. This week I start to get moving and can work out. Let's see, it's one step at a time."

Castillo did not factor into the decision Thursday versus the Guardians, yielding just one hit and no walks over six shutout frames in a 3-0 victory. He struck out six.

The only baserunner Castillo allowed on the night was a leadoff single by Will Brennan in the third inning which actually glanced off the pitcher's head and knocked his cap off, although the right-hander was fine. The incident clearly didn't spook Castillo, as he fanned the next three to get out of the frame and start a streak of 12 straight batters retired to finish off his night. He needed only 76 pitches to cruise through his six innings, collecting 13 swinging strikes and a 37 percent CSW rate along the way. The four-seamer was Castillo's most-used pitch in this one, just as it was after he came over to Seattle in a trade last August.

Bieber did not factor into the decision Thursday in Seattle despite six scoreless innings on six hits and no walk. He struck out three.

Bieber and Luis Castillo traded zeros for six frames before the Mariners won a battle of the bullpens. Worth noting is that Bieber's velocity was down across the board -- his fastball topped out at 91.9 mph after averaging 91.3 mph in 2022 -- although it was also down last season and he made it work. It should tick back up as the year moves along, but his strikeout upside will remain limited unless he can rediscover his Cy Young velocity.

Ryu was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Thursday with a left elbow UCL tear, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

While he's only going on the 15-day IL for now, Ryu should eventually move to the 60-day IL when the Jays need the 40-man roster spot. The left-hander is hoping to make it back from Tommy John surgery by July.

Urias (1-0) earned the victory Thursday against the Diamondbacks, yielding two runs on just four hits, no walks and a hit by pitch over six frames in an 8-2 win. He struck out six.

Urias was very efficient, needing just 79 pitches to cover his six frames. He cruised after allowing a single run in each of the first two innings, facing the minimum the rest of the way. Urias debuted a slider-cutter hybrid in the outing, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, with the pitch generating two swinging strikes on eight swings. Some natural regression is coming for Urias following last year's 2.16 ERA, which came with a 3.71 FIP, but he should remain a master at inducing weak contact and perhaps the new pitch can help boost his strikeout total.

Gallen (0-1) was charged with the loss Thursday versus the Dodgers, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

He was dinged for three runs on three hits and a walk in his final inning of work, with the last run coming across after he was pulled. The velocity on Gallen's fastball and cutter was down a bit, but he was still able to get seven strikeouts and 13 swinging strikes. Gallen was wild this spring and that carried over into this outing, as he threw just 55 of 89 pitches for strikes. His improved control in 2022 was a big part of his breakout, so those with fantasy shares in the right-hander will hope he gets that ironed out quickly.