MLB Player News

Hernandez allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits and struck out four in 2.2 innings during a loss to the Giants on Wednesday.

Hernandez has gotten rocked through two spring starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 4.2 innings. That's not great for the 25-year-old, who is far from assured a spot in the rotation given the Royals' mix of established veterans and prospects competing for starting roles. Hernandez would likely need to show some improvement in his next spring start to get an edge over Jackson Kowar, though both of them could be ticketed to the bullpen or Triple-A Omaha if the Royals employ a five-man rotation. Hernandez started 11 of his 24 outings last season, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB through 85.2 innings.

Zimmermann allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out two over three innings in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Rays. He posted zero walks.

Zimmermann has logged five innings across two spring starts, with Wednesday's being the far better of the two after his first one was delayed by a stomach bug. Manager Brandon Hyde designated John Means, Jordan Lyles and Tyler Wells as part of the Orioles' rotation to begin the 2022 campaign, leaving Zimmermann and a handful of other pitchers to compete for two spots. The 27-year-old southpaw posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 64.1 innings in 14 appearances (13 starts) last season. At least initially, he may need to work with a piggyback reliever until he can get more fully stretched out after a condensed spring training.

The Athletics plan to have Puk open the season as a member of their bullpen, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Durability concerns have been the main reason why Puk has yet to make an MLB start, but after reporting to spring training healthy, he was expected to compete for a back-end spot in the Oakland rotation. At some point during the spring, the Athletics scrapped those plans, as all four of Puk's appearances to date have come as a reliever. He's tossed exactly two frames in each of his last three Cactus League appearances, a usage pattern that could signal that the Athletics envision him serving as a multi-inning fireman out of the bullpen. Though that role likely wouldn't put Puk in the mix for consistent save chances, he could have some fantasy value in deeper leagues as a ratio stabilizer if he can find a way to keep his walks in check. He hasn't shown the ability to do that so far in spring training, as he's issued six free passes over 6.2 innings.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Thursday that Chafin will be sidelined for "at least a couple of days" due to the groin injury that prevented him from pitching in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Chafin didn't participate in the team warmup ahead of Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, as he instead met with the training staff to receive treatment for the injury that has been described as "groin tightness." Hinch wasn't ready to speculate what the injury might mean for Chafin's status for Opening Day, but the lefty reliever will presumably need to throw a bullpen session without incident at some point within the next week to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Fairbanks will receive a PRP injection to address his torn lat muscle, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks has been shut down from throwing for six weeks and isn't expected to return to the active roster until July. The Rays will likely continue to plan their bullpen around high-leverage situations rather than traditional roles, but Fairbanks' absence leaves Andrew Kittredge looking more alone than expected as a top-tier option for the late innings.

Pearson won't appear in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers as scheduled after he experienced potential COVID-19 symptoms, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pearson reportedly tested negative for the virus, so assuming he shakes off his illness within a few days, he should be ready to go by Opening Day. Even if that's the case, Pearson might not find himself on the major-league roster. According to Matheson, Pearson has already been ruled out from winning a rotation spot, and it's unclear whether Toronto wants him in the big-league bullpen rather than continuing to build up as a starter at Triple-A Buffalo.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Thursday that Romano is dealing with a mild left ankle sprain, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano recently slipped while walking his dog, but the injury isn't expected to affect his availability for Opening Day. Assuming the 28-year-old is fully healthy once the regular season gets underway next week, he's in line to serve as the Blue Jays' closer after he converted 23 of 24 save chances with a 2.14 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 63 innings last year.

Patino (shoulder) will start Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Patino was scratched from his previous spring start March 22 on account of a sore right shoulder, but he was cleared to resume throwing soon thereafter and received the green light to pitch Thursday following a pair of bullpen sessions along with a live batting practice session. Since he wasn't shut down while he dealt with the injury, Patino looks as though he's still on track to break camp as a member of the Tampa Bay rotation.

Soto, who tossed a scoreless inning and struck out two in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, topped out at 99 mph on the radar gun, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Detroit closer looks ready for the regular season, with his high velocity actually a tick ahead of the 98.3 mph he averaged on his fastball last season. Soto has increased his average velocity in each of his three MLB seasons, and if he does that again in 2022, he figures to be an even more effective reliever. The lefty will be looking to build on the career-high 18 saves he recorded in 2021.

Fulmer has an 11.57 ERA and has allowed two home runs across three Grapefruit League games.

It's a small sample size of just 2.1 innings, but Fulmer hasn't been sharp yet, which is further evidenced by his lack of strikeouts. He's also reportedly a few ticks off from his typical velocity, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. The righty was solid for the Tigers last season with a 2.97 ERA and 14 saves, so he should get rolling at some point. However, with Gregory Soto and offseason addition Andrew Chafin around, Fulmer might not see as many save opportunities in 2022.