MLB Player News

Cobb (knee) is slated to pitch in a minor-league game Monday on the back fields of Giants camp, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Cobb's bruised knee apparently responded well to his bullpen session Saturday, so he'll likely aim to get at least a few innings under his belt Monday as he aims to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the 2023 season. If Cobb checks out fine following Monday's outing, he could be cleared to make a start in New York next weekend in the Giants' season-opening series with the Yankees.

Marlins general manager Kim Ng disclosed Sunday that Eder has been sporting a walking boot on his left foot for a couple of weeks due to an apparent injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2021, Eder reported to spring training at full health and was expected to pitch in a Grapefruit League game at some point, but the previously unreported foot injury explains why he has yet to make his spring debut. According to Ng, Eder has been able to keep his surgically repaired arm fresh by throwing from one knee, but he obviously won't be ready for game action until he's able to shed the boot and field his position without issue. Expect Eder to open the campaign on the injured list at Double-A Pensacola or Triple-A Jacksonville.

Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Rucinski (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rucinski's hamstring tightened up late during spring training, and he won't be available for the A's to open the campaign. The 34-year-old was recently throwing on flat ground and will need to resume mound work before there's any firm timetable for his return.

Houser will be examined Sunday after leaving Saturday's outing against the Athletics with groin tightness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser dealt with groin problems earlier in the spring and also at the end of the 2022 season, so the Brewers will take extra caution to make sure there isn't anything more significant to the issue he experienced Saturday. A trip to the injured list to begin the 2023 season remains a possibility at this stage.

Nelson was named the Diamondbacks' No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 25-year-old surrendered 12 runs with a 13:8 K:BB across 14.1 innings during spring training but still won the rotation spot over Drey Jameson. Nelson was impressive in his first taste of the big leagues last season with a 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP in 18.1 frames and clearly has upside, but he could be a risky bet for fantasy managers requiring immediate production.

The Twins optioned Ober to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ober made three appearances in the Grapefruit League, and he didn't allow a run while forging a 6:2 K:BB and 0.33 WHIP. The right-hander was not going to be a part of Minnesota's rotation, so he'll head to Triple-A to receive regular innings. Ober will likely make starts for the Twins before the end of the season, and he could be worth a look as a streamer on those occasions based on his success in 2022.

Ragans has given up nine runs (eight earned) over his last seven innings, all of which came as a reliever.

Ragans is one of several depth starters that will need to work as a reliever if he wins a roster spot. He made noise early in camp when starting but has run afoul in two recent relief outings. In Thursday's appearance, he struggled early with command, and the Rangers used the spring re-entry rule for him to start the next inning. He ended up giving them another three innings. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy will decide if Ragans is best suited for a multi-inning relief role in MLB or a starter's trajectory at Triple-A Round Rock.

Glasnow (oblique) is throwing on flat ground from 75 feet Sunday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 29-year-old is about a month removed from suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain, and his return to throwing is an indication that his rehab is going well. Glasnow's initial recovery timeline was 6-to-8 weeks, and he appears to be trending toward the long end of the timeframe given he has to fully build up his arm after missing spring training. A return in early May should be possible if he can avoid any setbacks as he ramps up his workload.

Brown (back) felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw a simulated game this week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Assuming everything goes well during the simulated game this week, the 24-year-old should be good to go for Houston's first turn through the starting rotation. Brown could line up to start the Astros' home opener versus the Tigers on April 3.

Hill has been scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League today against Atlanta due to illness, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Hill will miss Sunday's start against Atlanta, and Wil Crowe will be on the bump in his place. The left-handed hurler should be fine for the regular season barring something unforeseeable.