MLB Player News

The Rays are hopeful that Honeywell (elbow) will be ready to pitch in games around June or July, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

That timeline represents a slight adjustment from what was reported nearly two months ago, when the right-hander suggested he would likely be ready to pitch competitively by May or June. Fortunately for Honeywell, there's no indication that he's experienced any setbacks to this point in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he required 11 months earlier. The 23-year-old has been throwing with his full repertoire for the past three weeks and is gradually increasing the intensity of those sessions. Once he proves his health during a minor-league rehab assignment, Honeywell will likely be optioned to Triple-A Durham, though there's a chance he could join the Rays right away if the team is confident that he's an upgrade over its existing rotation options.

Leclerc was told by manager Chris Woodward on Friday that he will be the Rangers' closer, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Earlier in the offseason, there was a suggestion that Leclerc could have a flexible, multi-inning role. Plans have apparently changed, and it appears that he'll be used as a traditional closer. His team context doesn't provide for as many save opportunities as other closers, but he should be a reliable option when called upon. He posted a stellar 1.56 ERA with a 38.1 percent strikeout rate in 57.2 innings last season.

De Leon (elbow) is continuing his rehab and expects to resume minor-league games in May, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

De Leon underwent Tommy John surgery last March and is on track for a return in a little over a year. The 26-year-old resumed light throwing back in July and has been continuing with his rehab with no setbacks thus far.

Schultz will attend the Orioles' major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Schultz last pitched in the majors with Toronto in 2016 as he missed 2017 after Tommy John surgery and spent 2018 in the minors with the Pirates. The 33-year-old has a career 4.54 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 67.1 major-league innings and should battle for a spot in a Baltimore bullpen that features little established talent.

Almonte cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Almonte was designated for assignment earlier in the week but will remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The 25-year-old struggled in both the majors and minors in 2018, posting an ERA over 10.00 while issuing 18 walks over 27.1 total innings.

Devenski devoted the offseason to re-working the mechanics of his delivery, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Devenski, an All-Star in 2017, watched his ERA balloon to 4.18 in 2018, when he was relegated to work in games that already were decided and was left off both of Houston's postseason rosters. Video study revealed some "issues here and there," per the right-handed reliever, specifically with his legs and hips. Devenski has yet to throw a bullpen session, so we may need to wait until spring training to learn whether the mechanical adjustments return him to his 2017 form.

Bukauskas was invited to the Astros' major-league camp Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bukauskas missed time early in the season due to a back injury, but he impressed upon his return, compiling a combined 2.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 14 starts (59 innings) with five different affiliates (rookie ball to Double-A). The 22-year-old figures to open the 2019 season with either Double-A Corpus Christi or Triple-A Fresno, though Bukauskas could reach the majors in some capacity if he continues to dominate in the upper minors.

Farquhar signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

Farquhar suffered a major health scare in 2018, so this is an encouraging development for the soon-to-be 32-year-old. The right-hander owns a career 3.92 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 272.1 major-league innings, so he should have a good shot at claiming an Opening Day bullpen gig, though nothing is guaranteed given the Yankees' impressive bullpen depth coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Farquhar's return.

Almonte was designated for assignment by the Angels on Sunday.

Almonte has been removed from the 40-man roster to make room for the addition of Cody Allen. Almonte appeared in eight games out of the bullpen for the Angels a season ago, struggling to a 10.29 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with seven punchouts over seven frames.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said "it'll be awhile" before Smith (shoulder) will be able to pitch in games, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Smith is recovering from shoulder surgery that he underwent in June and isn't expected to be ready for the early part of the 2019 season. The hope is that the right-hander will be able to pick up a throwing program sometime during spring training, after which a more concrete timetable for his return could emerge. Smith posted a 3.77 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 14.1 frames in 2018 before getting hurt.