MLB Player News

Johnson is being stretched out during spring training and is a candidate to start the sixth game of the season against the Athletics on April 2, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. The left-hander fired two innings as a starter in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

If Johnson does make a start during the first week of games, it is expected to be a one-time shot unless injuries hit. He was a good soldier for the Red Sox in 2018, working both as a starter and reliever -- his first significant exposure to pitching in relief. Johnson posted a 4.19 ERA in 38.2 relief innings and acknowledged how difficult it was altering his routine after a career as a starter. "I think he learned over the course of the season that there's no time to settle down," manager Alex Cora said. "You have to pitch to the edges and try to be aggressive there. It's not like get-me-over fastballs or get-me-over breaking balls. They're ready to swing." With a good chunk of experience out of the bullpen last season, Johnson and the Red Sox are expecting better results in 2019.

Lee (illness) allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one across one inning Tuesday against the Rays.

Tuesday's appearance marked Lee's first of spring, as an illness kept the southpaw out of early action. The 26-year-old is expected to open the season back at Triple-A Norfolk, where he owns a 5.58 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 91:64 K:BB across 127.1 innings (23 starts, nine relief appearances) over the last two seasons.

Pop is scheduled to resume throwing in the coming days, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Pop was shut down from throwing over the weekend after displaying diminished velocity in his first spring outing, but he's ready to pick it back up after taking a few days off to rest and recover. He'll open the 2019 campaign back on Baltimore's farm after spending time across three levels last season, posting a combined 1.53 ERA and 64:19 K:BB across 64.2 innings of relief.

Lee has yet to pitch this spring due to illness, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Lee is expected to return to the mound soon, which would give him still enough time to build up to game shape by Opening Day. The 26-year-old is unlikely to spend that day on the big-league roster, as he's yet to conquer the Triple-A level, posting a 5.58 ERA over parts of two seasons for Norfolk.

Perez will be stretched out as a starter during the first few weeks of spring training and is expected to compete for a rotation role in camp, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With only 16.2 career innings above the Double-A level, Perez looks to be one of the unlikelier candidates to secure a starting role on a Houston squad ripe with intriguing arms. The 22-year-old southpaw certainly possesses some upside thanks to a repertoire that includes a mid-90s fastball and two quality breaking pitches, but his easiest path to innings with the big club in 2019 may come as a reliever. The Astros aren't brimming with lefty relief depth and could view Perez as a more appealing option than Reymin Guduan or Framber Valdez.

Ottavino threw a simulated game Monday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Instead of including Ottavino in the Grapefruit League pitching schedule, the Yankees have had him complete two simulated games to begin the spring. It's likely just part of a plan to open up more innings for some less-established arms rather than out of any concern about the health of Ottavino, who is already guaranteed a key setup role in a deep Yankees bullpen. Ottavino inked a three-year, $27 million pact with the club earlier in the winter after accruing a 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 13.0 K/9 in 75 appearances with the Rockies in 2018.

Martin entered Sunday's game in the third inning and allowed one run on three hits while striking out one over two innings.

Manager A.J. Hinch challenged the 23-year-old right-hander by having him face the most advanced hitters possible in his first taste of major-league camp. Martin complemented his mid-90s heater with an array of offspeed offerings. One of them was a lazy, elevated changeup that was crushed for a home run -- the only run Martin allowed. He fared well in 122 innings last season, 103 of which came in 18 starts at Double-A Corpus Christi. The 2017 second-round draft pick should see Triple-A Round Rock early in 2019, putting him on the cusp of helping the Astros during the regular season should the need arise.

Duffey threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in his first spring appearance in Saturday's split squad loss to Baltimore.

Duffey is likely on the outside looking in for a spot in Minnesota's bullpen, especially since he has a minor-league option left. He's likely a candidate to provide depth and be shuttled up and down from Triple-A.

Pop will ease off throwing after his velocity was down in his first spring outing, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Despite the concerning velocity, Pop was able to get through a clean inning against the Twins on Saturday, striking out one and not allowing a baserunner. Velocity dips can sometimes portend serious injuries, but for now the team apparently thinks the problem can be solved by rest.

Hildenberger threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his first spring appearance in Saturday's split squad win over Tampa Bay.

Hildenberger is in the mix for the closer role in what could be a wide-open competition. It's also possible the Twins could use a committee approach under new manager Rocco Baldelli. Hildenberger, Trevor May, Blake Parker, Addison Reed and even Fernando Romero could be in the mix for saves.