MLB Player News

Kay gave up three hits and two walks over three scoreless innings during Monday's split-squad game against the Pirates. He struck out four.

The 24-year-old southpaw has fought his control and command this spring, and even after Monday's clean outing he still carries a 7.36 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB through 7.1 innings. Kay will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo, but a strong start will put him in position for a promotion should the Jays need to bolster their rotation over the summer.

Weber allowed one hit while striking out four over four scoreless innings in Monday's spring game against the Braves.

Weber handled the Braves with aplomb, showing movement on his two-seamer while seemingly cementing a spot in the rotation. "His fastball, he moves one this way and the next one he cuts in; he's fun to watch," interim manager Ron Roenicke told Dawn Klemish of MLB.com. "He works quick. 'Here it is,' and the outcome has been really good so far." Weber's allowed one unearned run on six hits while striking out 11 without a walk over nine spring innings. There's nothing overpowering about Weber, but he's earned a spot at the back end of the rotation, one that might still be there when Chris Sale (elbow) returns.

King has struggled in his last two Grapefruit League starts and may no longer be in the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

King got off to a strong start this spring but struggled in an appearance against Philadelphia on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 2.2 innings. With Jordan Montgomery and Jonathan Loaisiga the favorites to land the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the Yankees' Opening Day rotation, King figures to be the odd man out, per Miller.

Abreu was optioned to Double-A Trenton on Monday.

Abreu made three Grapefruit League appearances, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four in four innings. He'll return to Trenton, where he posted a 4.28 ERA in 23 games -- including 20 starts -- in 2019.

Duran was optioned to the minor leagues Monday.

Duran was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft back in November, but he's only made seven starts at the Double-A level, so it's hardly surprising to see him sent to minor-league camp. The Twins haven't announced his destination to start the season, but he's likely to need a bit more time in Double-A.

Alcala was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Alcala made his big-league debut late last season but only recorded five outs. He could push to return at some point this season, but it's hardly surprising to see that he won't break camp in the big leagues given that he's thrown just 9.1 total innings above the Double-A level.

Ottavino recorded a strikeout over a perfect five-pitch fifth inning in Sunday's 1-0 exhibition win over the Braves.

Ottavino was about as economical as possible in his fourth outing of the spring, retiring two hitters on first pitches and ringing up Adeiny Hechavarria on three strikes. The 34-year-old turned in a 1.90 ERA while serving as the Yankees' top setup man in his debut season with the team, but he struggled to keep runners off the bases, in large part due to an elevated 14.1 percent walk rate. He's shown much improved control so far in Grapefruit League play, posting a 5:1 K:BB in a four-inning sample.

Puk is expected to resume throwing as early as Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Puk said Monday that his brief shutdown stems from some discomfort in his shoulder during a bullpen session last week. Tests revealed no structural damage, but the delay is expected to take him out of contention for the Athletics' Opening Day rotation. It remains to be seen if he'll finish building up to a starter's workload in the minors or if he'll pitch out of the bullpen to open the season.

Manager Mike Matheny said that Junis (back) "threw the ball well" in his simulated game Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Junis was forced to miss some time with a minor lower back strain, but he appears to be progressing well in his recovery. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander could return to game action soon, and his availability for Opening Day likely isn't in doubt. Junis has made just one appearance in a game this spring, logging two strikeouts over one scoreless inning.

Andriese is a strong candidate to open the season in the Angels' roatation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Andriese was already being looked at as a starter before it was revealed that Griffin Canning (elbow) would likely begin the season on the injured list. That opens the No. 4 spot in the rotation, which is likely to go to Andriese in light of his solid spring (one earned run and six strikeouts in nine innings). Though the right-hander has been a starter for much of his career, 90 of his last 95 appearances have come out of the bullpen.