MLB Player News

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

Harvey started nine games (32.1 innings) for Double-A Bowie in 2018 with a 5.57 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, so there was no guarantee he would be promoted to start this season. The 24-year-old has been limited to 63.2 innings since 2014 due to injuries but could seemingly find his way to the majors in 2019 if he showcases well at Norfolk.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Castro is viewed as more of a bullpen piece than a starting candidate, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The news isn't all that surprising as Castro made only one start in each of the past two seasons, though he has typically served in a multi-inning role with 86.1 innings over 63 appearances in 2018. That should continue this season as the team looks to keep him somewhat stretched out, which could make him a candidate for spot starts when the time comes. Castro had a 3.96 ERA and 1.45 WHIP last season despite his abysmal 57:50 K:BB, thanks in part to a career-low 0.9 HR/9.

Johnson (illness) is playing catch Sunday and is scheduled for a bullpen session Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Johnson was scratched from Saturday's scheduled start against the Orioles, but his quick return to throwing confirms the issue is minor. The 28-year-old could return to game action later in the week assuming a successful bullpen session.

McHugh (back) will have his Monday start skipped due to back soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Rome indicated the move was made with "an abundance of caution" as McHugh is set for a bullpen session after Tuesday's off-day. Manager A.J. Hinch also downplayed the injury after the 31-year-old was pulled early from Wednesday's start. Assuming all goes well in his throwing session, McHugh is next expected to see game action next Saturday.

Manager Alex Cora said Sunday he believes Brasier (toe) has "time to be ready for (Opening Day)," according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.

Brasier has been brought along slowly this spring, but no issues were reported after he threw from 90 feet Friday, and he is scheduled to do the same Sunday. Brasier still has several steps to go before he's ready for game action, but with over three weeks to go before Opening Day, there should be time for him to build up before regular-season action kicks off. As things stand, Brasier will toss his name into the mix for Boston's closer spot once he is cleared to pitch in games.

Johnson (illness) was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Johnson's preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be significantly impacted. The lefty filled a swingman role last season and is likely to do the same again this year.

Puk (elbow) was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Puk opened spring in big-league camp, though he was never a candidate for a big-league roster spot as he isn't expected to return from Tommy John surgery until some point in the middle of the season. He was a highly anticipated prospect prior to undergoing the procedure last April and was already on the doorstep of the majors, so he'll have the chance to debut in the second half of the year should he progress through the remainder of his rehab without setbacks.

Putnam slipped during a drill Thursday and is dealing with hamstring soreness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Putnam had been scheduled to pitch Friday but was removed from the team's travel roster as a precaution. The non-roster invitee is not expected to earn a roster spot.

Brasier played catch Friday for the first time since recovering from a toe infection, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Brasier threw from 90 feet and reported no issues following the session. It's unclear if he'll remain on a throwing program or progress to pitching off a mound. He and Matt Barnes are considered the leaders for the open closer role.

Miller allowed two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning in Friday's game against the White Sox.

Miller was the last of the Rangers' three Tommy John survivors to debut this spring. At this stage, results aren't as important as getting in the work and feeling good afterwards. "I felt strong," the 28-year-old right-hander told Dave Sessions of MLB.com. "I felt like I threw all my pitches, which is a positive. I was in the zone a lot, which was good. The location was pretty good. The only one I kind of missed was on the triple, I kind of yanked it back over the middle, but other than that I was pretty pleased with the outcome." According to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, Miller's fastball started at 90 mph and elevated to 93 during the outing. Fourteen of his 19 pitches found the strike zone. He joins Drew Smyly and Edinson Volquez as projected rotation members coming back from elbow surgery.