MLB Player News

Anderson was able to get long-toss work in at Tropicana Field on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Anderson was joined by bullpen mates such as Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo at the Trop for some informal, small-group workouts. The hard-throwing right-hander had high expectations for the 2020 season in spring training; however, with what appears to be a modest 60-game campaign realistically on the horizon as of late Monday night, Anderson may share closing duties frequently with Alvarado and perhaps even Castillo depending on how manager Kevin Cash opts to manage his relievers under the unique circumstances.

Alvarado got some long toss in at Tropicana Field on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays had a large contingent of pitchers in for small-group informal workouts Monday, with Alvarado joining several bullpen mates in long-toss sessions. With the 2020 season finally appearing to take shape late Monday night, Alvarado can now begin ramping up in earnest during what is likely to be considered a second spring training over the next three-plus weeks or so.

Fairbanks has been able to throw bullpen sessions in his local area while spring training has been suspended, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The update on the hard-throwing right-hander was provided by pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who was also supervising the return to the mound of several other Rays pitchers at Tropicana Field on Friday. Fairbanks' overpowering fastball makes him a natural candidate for late-inning work if there is a 2020 season, especially with the strong likelihood of expanded rosters.

Beeks has been able to throw regular bullpen sessions in his local area during the suspension of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder provided the update on Beeks, who he's kept in regular contact with during the shutdown. The southpaw, who put in time as both a spot starter and long reliever for the Rays last season, is projected to potentially serve as the sixth member of the starting rotation during the 2020 season, if it indeed unfolds.

Banda has been able to throw bullpen sessions regularly where he lives while spring training has remained shut down, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The news comes via pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who supervised multiple bullpen sessions off a mound at Tropicana Field on Friday. Banda was not one of those participating, but the fact he's apparently had access to a mound where he has been quarantining means he's likely kept his arm in working shape during the extended layoff. The 26-year-old southpaw had been optioned to Triple-A Durham back on March 26, but with a potential 2020 season expected to include expanded rosters, Banda may still have a chance to see some big-league action this year.

Yarbrough was able to throw off a mound at Tropicana Field on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Friday marked the first time pitchers gained access to the mounds at Tropicana Field since workouts resumed there May 25, and Yarbrough took advantage of the opportunity by throwing 15-25 pitches to a pair of bullpen catchers. Pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who oversaw the throwing sessions for multiple Rays hurlers, came away impressed with the readiness of all who participated, an assessment which bodes well for Yarbrough's outlook as he begins to ramp up his workload again.

Alexy, who was limited to five appearances at High-A Down East in 2019 due to a lat injury, appeared in three games during the Arizona Fall League. He had a 6.75 ERA over eight innings in three starts.

Alexy, whom the Rangers acquired in the Yu Darvish deal of 2017, was viewed as one of the better young arms in the system after a strong 2018. He was shut down in early May in 2019 for what was supposed to be six weeks but turned into the rest of the season. As a low-level minor leaguer, Alexy will likely not receive the development innings in 2020 a young starter needs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hearn could be kept on an expanded roster when the MLB season begins, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports. Reports indicate that rosters may expand up to 30 players.

As MLB and the players' union iron out details for an abbreviated season, Rangers pitching coach Julio Rangel is thinking about his staff. The plan calls for starters to build up to 75-to-80 pitches during a mini-spring training. Rangel said starters may not go deep into games early, so support will be needed in the form of multi-inning relievers. "Once the season starts, we might not let them go as deep just to make sure the guys are getting back into shape, feeling good, and bouncing back well from outing to outing. Once we see that and they are able to get at least two or three outings where they get through five [innings] and 90 pitches, then we'll start letting them go a bit and go from there," said the pitching coach. In that event, the left-handed Hearn, along with righties Jonathan Hernandez and Luke Farrell, could be featured prominently.

Mengden (elbow) told Brodie Brazil of NBC Sports Bay Area last week that he's "about 95 percent" healthy and has resumed throwing all of his pitches in bullpen sessions.

Mengden was placed on the 60-day injured list in mid-February after requiring arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, which marked the third time he went under the knife during the offseason after he previously required a pair of procedures to address a digestive issue. Though Mengden was initially in line to miss at least the first month or two of the season, the league's ongoing hiatus has allowed him to make a near full recovery without having to miss any actual games. Even if he had entered spring training healthy, Mengden was expected to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, so he may have to settle for a long-relief role if Oakland decides to activate him from the IL when the season resumes.

Ramirez was one of several players present for the re-start of workouts at the Mariners' spring facility in Peoria, Arizona on Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander was able to play catch and get some cardio work in under staff supervision, and he and his fellow pitchers will eventually be able to throw off a bullpen mound. Ramirez was still trying to work out some kinks when spring training was suspended, as he'd pitched to a 12.27 ERA across his four Cactus League appearances. He was still considered to be in contention for a bullpen spot, however, and the expanded rosters expected to be part of any abbreviated 2020 season likely up his chances of sticking with the Mariners.