MLB Player News

Moore tossed four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He allowed two hits and struck out six.

Moore has been a little up and down this spring, but the strong outing lowered his Grapefruit League ERA to 3.97. The lefty might not be consistent from start to start this season, but he should have pretty good job security in a rebuilding Detroit rotation.

Tate was sent to Double-A Bowie on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Tate has spent the last two seasons at Double-A, although he struggled to a 5.75 ERA with 21 punchouts over 40.2 frames as a starter in 2018. He entered spring training as a reliever, but the club remains optimistic that he can develop into a reliable starter or at least a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Ortiz was sent to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Ortiz appeared to have a shot to crack the starting rotation for the 2019 campaign, but he's been sent to Triple-A relatively early in camp. He appeared in two games for Baltimore a season ago and allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.1 innings. Ortiz figures to be one of the first pitchers called upon if the Orioles' rotation struggles through any injuries.

Abreu was optioned to Double-A Trenton on Sunday.

Abreu missed the start of last season after undergoing an appendectomy and posted a 4.16 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB in 13 starts at High-A Tampa. The 23-year-old finished the year with one start at Trenton and returns to the Thunder to begin the 2019 season.

Barnes made his first appearance of spring training Saturday and allowed three runs on four hits while striking out one in an inning against the Mets.

Barnes auditioned for the role of Boston's closer, and it wasn't pretty. Three of the first four batters he faced had extra-base hits, and he wild-pitched a runner in from third base. The results weren't good, but manager Alex Cora was more focused on Barnes hitting 95 mph, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "He was throwing 85, 86 (mph) last year (early in spring training)," Cora said. "He was throwing 95 today. We're not even worried about that one. It's good that he showed he's rested, he's healthy. And from there on he'll make adjustments and start getting people out." Barnes is arguably the top candidate to occupy the ninth-inning role: While he has limited experience in such situations, the right-hander does have experience pitching in the postseason as a high-leverage, eighth-inning reliever. Cora has also mentioned Ryan Brasier (toe) as a candidate for saves.

Leclerc allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and three wild pitches while striking out three over an inning Saturday against the White Sox.

Those aren't the results the team expected after inking Leclerc to a four-year contract extension earlier in the week. The right-hander suffered from shaky control prior to becoming the team's closer last season, so any whiff of those issues returning is notable. In 3.2 spring innings, Leclerc has allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks.

Lopez allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over four innings Saturday against the Rangers.

Lopez needed 33 pitches to get through the first inning, when he was nicked for a run, then needed just 36 pitches to get through his final three innings. His best frame was the third, when he fanned Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo, using his slider to get all three. "That's one of my focuses during this spring, especially today," said Lopez told Scott Merkin of MLB.com. "I was able to execute that pitch, especially in key situations. I was able to locate a slider below in the zone, in to the lefties and it was good. I'm very, very pleased and happy with the results today, especially with the way that pitch was working." Lopez entered Saturday's game with a 10.13 ERA over his first two starts, so this was clearly his best outing of the spring.

McHugh (back) allowed three runs on three hits and recorded two strikeouts over two innings during Saturday's spring game against the Cardinals.

McHugh, who was scratched from Monday's scheduled start due to a sore back, was able to make a pain-free return to the mound Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Houston Chronicle reports. The 31-year-old had a clean first inning but gave up two singles and a home run during his second frame. McHugh should be on track for the start of the regular season despite the brief layoff.

The Rays optioned Gibaut (lat) to their minor-league camp Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gibaut's slim chance of cracking the Rays' Opening Day bullpen effectively ended when he was diagnosed with a mild lat strain early in camp. The right-hander has yet to resume throwing and could open the 2019 campaign on Triple-A Durham's injured list.

De Leon (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

De Leon has thrown off the mound on multiple occasions over the past few weeks and after experiencing no complications while doing so, he'll move on to the next phase of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. It's not expected that De Leon will be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment until the back half of May, so he'll likely open the season on the 60-day injured list.