MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Paredes to their minor-league camp Monday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Paredes was added to the Astros' 40-man roster over the winter and could make his MLB debut at some point in 2020, but he was never a serious candidate to break camp as a member of the big-league bullpen. Instead, he'll begin the campaign at either Triple-A Round Rock or Double-A Corpus Christi. He split time between Corpus Christi and High-A Fayetteville in 2019, posting a 2.78 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 128 across 94 frames.

Peters is being stretched out as a starter and could compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Peters started 12 of the 17 games in which he pitched last season, so he is a logical option for a back-end rotation spot in the wake of the elbow injury that will sideline Griffin Canning at the start of the season. Still, the Angels have a number of options available to plug into the rotation, so Peters is far from a lock for the role. While the southpaw struggled with a 5.38 ERA last season, he has fared well this spring, allowing one run in 7.1 innings while striking out six batters.

The Yankees have yet to decide whether to deploy Loaisiga as a starter or reliever to begin the season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Loaisiga has enjoyed a strong spring, allowing two runs while striking out 11 batters in seven innings. Per Hoch, there have been debates within the organization about whether the right-hander's arsenal plays better in a relief role or as a starter. While the need for a No. 5 starter looms large due to injuries to James Paxton (back) and Luis Severino (elbow), the Yankees have a number of options they could use to fill that role should they opt to keep Loaisiga in the bullpen.

Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

The flamethrowing right-hander struggled with his control this spring, allowing four walks in five innings, though he did hold opponents scoreless in his three appearances. He'll begin the season in the minors, but Nelson has a chance to contribute to the big-league club this season if he can find a way to cut down his walk rate.

Lopez allowed five hits and struck out five over 4.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's spring game against the Padres.

Lopez looked sharp and worked around five singles during his second Cactus League start. He introduced a new wrinkle, throwing two sliders at varying speeds, a suggestion from new catcher Yasmani Grandal, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. The catcher cited Lopez's fastball command and use of several pitches in the outing.

Aumont was shut down from throwing due to skin irritation on his right elbow, Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet reports.

Aumont is in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, and he's allowed three runs on three hits over three innings during spring training. The injury appears minor, but the 31-year-old won't be playing in the Olympic qualifier for Team Canada on March 22 as previously scheduled. Aumont spent 2019 in the independent Canadian-American Association and hasn't seen major-league action since 2015.

Shawaryn was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

Shawaryn joined the Red Sox in September but was unable to show enough in spring training to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old will begin the season in Pawtucket, where he posted a 4.52 ERA and 1.40 WHIP during 2019.

Palumbo (heel) has been cleared to resume throwing, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Palumbo was scratched from a planned outing last Thursday due to inflammation in his right heel. He should return to game action this week.

Smeltzer gave up five earned runs over three innings in Saturday's spring training outing against Detroit. He has a 8.68 ERA in four outings this spring.

Smeltzer appears to be fading in the competition for the fifth starter role as he's given up 18 hits and three home runs over 9.1 innings. Smeltzer is battling Jhoulys Chacin, Randy Dobnak and Lewis Thorpe for the fifth starer role.

Manaea recorded six strikeouts and allowed four earned runs on four hits over three innings in a Cactus League split-squad loss to the Reds on Friday.

The line underscores what a mixed bag Manaea's start was, but the left-hander, who continued to refine his slider during the outing, was pleased with the work he got in, noting he "made some competitive pitches and they [Indians hitters] took some good swings on them," according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Two of those hacks came from Scott Schebler and Matt Davidson, who tagged Manaea for a double and three-run home run, respectively. Through three spring starts, the 28-year-old now sports an unsightly 14.09 ERA, although he also has 10 strikeouts through 7.2 innings.