It's getting late early for free-agent starting pitchers left on the open market.

Unlike hitters that may only need a week's worth of at-bats to get in "game shape" for the regular season, pitchers must build up arm strength, pitch counts and innings totals to be ready to compete in a real game.

With just over three weeks until opening day, we could soon be at the point where free agents like Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb can't reasonably be ready for the start of the year.

As the clock ticks, here's the latest on impact arms that could fit either the Yankees or Phillies.

According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Lynn rejected a two-year, $20M deal from the Twins.

They recently offered a two-year, $20 million contract to free agent right-hander Lance Lynn, according to a person with direct knowledge. That idea proved a non-starter as Lynn, the 30-year-old former all-star and three-time 15-game winner, opted to keep waiting for a suitable deal.

Lynn has been working out in Jupiter, Fla., with noted trainer Eric Cressey, who also had recent Twins signee Logan Morrison and Rule 5 pick Tyler Kinley in his camp last month. Fellow right-handers Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb also remain unsigned with Opening Day a little over three weeks away.

Cobb is a former Tampa Bay Rays teammate of new Twins Logan Morrison and Jake Odorizzi, but the Twins don't appear to be aggressively pursuing his services.

If the Twins are out, that leaves one less team in the mix--giving the Yankees or Phillies a better chance to swoop in.

Lynn, 30, pitched to a 3.43 ERA across 186.1 innings in 2017. That came in a league-leading 33 starts. While Lynn wasn't as dominant as we've seen him in past years, the season was a big step considering a lost 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Cobb, 30, has spent his entire career in the AL East with the rival Rays. Since debuting in 2011, Cobb owns a 3.50 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 111 ERA+. That work has come across 700 career innings and 115 starts. The veteran missed all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.