MLB Player News

Saupold was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Saupold was optioned to make room for Mike Fiers, who is set to return from the disabled list to make his first start of the season Sunday. Saupold hadn't given up a run in 3.1 innings of relief so far this season, though he also didn't strike out anyone either. He'll work out of the rotation for Toledo and will likely be back up with the Tigers at some point later this season.

Fulmer (1-1) picked up the win over the White Sox on Saturday, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings and allowing six hits and three walks while striking out four.

It wasn't the sharpest performance from Fulmer -- he threw 56 of 92 pitches for strikes and generated only nine swinging strikes -- but he shut down any hint of a rally from the White Sox. The right-hander's 0.68 ERA through 13.1 innings stands in stark contrast to his mediocre 7:5 K:BB, and it could be the former that suffers in his next start Thursday in Cleveland.

Heller underwent Tommy John surgery Friday.

The surgery is something of a surprise, as Heller's reported ailment was bone spurs, rather than a sprained UCL. Dr. Christopher Ahmad apparently performed Tommy John surgery and also removed a bone spur in one procedure. The typical Tommy John recovery timeline would see Heller able to return to game action sometime in the middle of the 2019 season. He was on the outside looking in this spring in the battle for the Yankees' final bullpen spot, so he's likely to end up at the Triple-A level once he's able to pitch again.

The Angels recalled Morris from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Morris was traded from the Braves to the Angels on Tuesday and didn't have to wait long before being promoted. Friday's starter Parker Bridwell lasted only 1.2 innings, leaving six Angels relievers to cover the remainder of the game. Morris replaces Bridwell on the 25-man roster and should serve in a low -leverage bullpen role for the Halos.

Merritt (arm) will appear in an extended spring training contest Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Merritt continues to recover from a "tired arm" that has sidelined him from game action since the last week of spring training. He appears to be a few weeks away from returning to the Indians and will likely require a start or two in the minors on a rehab assignment.

Yacabonis was called up from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Saturday's game against the Yankees, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

In a corresponding move, the Orioles placed Colby Rasmus on the 10-day disabled list with a left hip injury. Yacabonis appeared in 14 big-league games last season, posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with an 8:14 K:BB. Expect him to pitch only in low-leverage situations.

Johnson will be utilized out of the bullpen moving forward, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

With the return of Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) Sunday and Drew Pomeranz (forearm) next weekend, Johnson will no longer be needed in the Red Sox rotation. During his lone start against Miami on Monday, Johnson earned the victory, allowing just one earned run off six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings. In the event of a future injury to a member of Boston's staff, expect Johnson to fill in as a spot starter.

Pomeranz (forearm) will head to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday for his last tuneup before rejoining the Red Sox next weekend, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The plan is for Pomeranz to get one last rehab outing in and then re-enter the Red Sox rotation against the Orioles. This will push Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez to the bullpen. Expect another update on Pomeranz's status following Sunday's affair.

Giles allowed a run on three hits in the ninth inning of Friday's 4-1 loss to the Padres.

This was Giles' third appearance of the season, all of which have come in non-save situations, but the closer needed to get his work in. The right-hander has allowed two runs on five hits over three innings, which are not the results one likes to see from someone paid to save games, but it's early in the season and no conclusions should be drawn just yet. In non-save situations last season, Giles had a respectable 2.38 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

McHugh allowed two hits and hit a batter while striking out four over 2.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 4-1 loss to San Diego.

McHugh, who's made 111 starts over six seasons, is adjusting to his role in the bullpen. So far there have been no issues. He's allowed one run and struck out five over 4.2 innings spanning three appearances. This was the second time pitching in multiple innings, which shouldn't be surprising for a former starter who is used to the pattern of pitching more than one inning. He'll be the first in line for spot starts or to replace an injured rotation member.