MLB Player News

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

Shortly before the demotion was announced, Honeywell threw another bullpen session as he continues to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Honeywell is scheduled to face hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing the elbow procedure and is targeting a late-May return to competitive action. The right-hander could be an option for the big-league rotation at some point in the middle of the season.

The Astros optioned Abreu to their minor-league camp Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston added Abreu to its 40-man roster over the winter, but that was merely to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The promising pitcher has yet to pitch above the Low-A level and is likely a couple years away from contributing for the big club.

Fulmer was mostly sitting in the 89-91 mph range with his fastball in his Grapefruit League start Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer allowed two runs and struck out three over three innings in the outing, and he now has a 7.88 ERA this spring. The 25-year-old previously said he's confident his velocity will ramp up closer to the start of the regular season. Fulmer averaged 95.8 mph on his fastball in 2018, and it will be worth monitoring his radar readings in his next handful of starts.

Pruitt (personal) reported back to Rays camp Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pruitt had been away from the Rays since early Wednesday to be with his wife, who gave birth to the couple's first child. The time off shouldn't impact Pruitt's chances of winning a long-relief job with the Rays this spring.

VerHagen said Saturday that tests confirmed that he's experiencing inflammation around his throwing shoulder, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen complained off a dead arm earlier this week, leading to some fears that he may have suffered a recurrence of the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a condition he experienced a few years ago that required surgery. Fortunately, an MRI cleared him of any structural damage, so he'll merely treat his shoulder with anti-inflammatory medication before starting up his throwing program again. A long-term absence thus doesn't look to be in store for VerHagen, though he may need to resume mound work within the next week to avoid opening the regular season on the injured list.

Barnes will make his spring debut Saturday against the Mets, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Barnes had been scheduled to debut next week, but he was deemed ready to go sooner. The 28-year-old right-hander is the leading candidate to close games for Boston or be the primary closer with Ryan Brasier (toe) still in the mix. Barnes has been an important bullpen arm the last three seasons, but his track record as a closer is limited and spotty. He has a career 5.22 ERA in the ninth inning (29.1 IP). Barnes can bring the heat but has battled control problems during his career and walked 4.5 batters per nine innings in 2018.

Martin allowed six runs on six hits in a third of an inning Friday against the Rockies.

Martin was having an uneventful spring until Friday's implosion, which leaves his ERA at 16.20. Texas manager Chris Woodward is kicking around the idea of carrying eight relievers, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, and Martin will have a spot despite his unsightly spring numbers. He dealt with a number of nagging injuries during 2018 and was limited to 41.2 innings, in which he posted a 4.54 ERA (3.56 FIP).

Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vasquez looked sharp in five spring appearances, as he fanned seven hitters in five scoreless innings of work. The Twins have sent him to Triple-A for now, although he could certainly surface with the big-league club when the bullpen needs reinforcements at some point.

Hentges was optioned to Double-A Akron on Friday.

Hentges made 23 starts for High-A Lynchburg last season and had a 3.27 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 122 strikeouts over 118.1 innings. The Indians added the 22-year-old to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He made two appearances at major-league spring training.

Mejia was optioned to Double-A Akron on Friday.

Mejia appeared in two games with the Indians this spring and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over two innings. Cleveland added the 22-year-old to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft after he posted a 3.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 97:20 K:BB over 15 starts at Low-A Lake County last season.