MLB Player News

Fulmer allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts over five innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Fulmer was strong through five innings, but he couldn't get an out in the sixth and was swiftly pulled after serving up a single and a double to open the frame. Both runners would score, spoiling what was an otherwise encouraging outing for the right-hander. If Fulmer can get past the troubles he encounters the third time through the order, his future is promising. He needed just 73 pitches to get through five innings and change Wednesday night, and with that efficiency, he can become a valuable member of Chicago's pitching staff.

Hendriks fired 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Rangers, allowing a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.

The 29-year-old righty had allowed an earned run on a pair of hits in his 2018 debut against the Angels last Saturday, so Tuesday's effort affords him a little early season equilibrium. Hendriks has been serviceable across 123 appearances in his first two seasons in Oakland, amassing four wins, 26 holds and one save along the way. However, the long-ball issues that have plagued him frequently throughout his long career have also surfaced at times, as he's allowed 13 home runs over 128.2 innings during that span. Still blessed with a mid-90s fastball, Hendriks would naturally stand to see an uptick in multiple metrics if he can succeed at keeping the ball in the park more often this season.

Coulombe fired a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Rangers.

He breezed through the potent trio of Joey Gallo, Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre on six pitches, giving him three scoreless efforts to open the season. The 28-year-old southpaw could see a workload akin to the career-high 72 appearances he logged in 2017, given the scarcity of his handedness in the Athletics' relief corps.

Pruitt (1-1) allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out four.

Originally scheduled to start Monday, Pruitt saw the opportunity evaporate when that game was postponed due to inclement weather. He had the chance to get some work in Tuesday, but that produced disastrous results, as the right-hander was walloped for a three-run home run by Didi Gregorius among the trio of hits he gave up. Having thrown 50 pitches in Tuesday's long-relief stint, it would appear highly unlikely that Pruitt takes the mound Thursday against the Red Sox, although he could conceivably be part of a cadre of relievers that sees action if manager Kevin Cash opts to make it one of the team's bullpen days.

Almonte (shoulder) was dealt to the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Almonte was recently designated for assignment by the Royals. In a corresponding move, the Angels removed Juan Graterol from the 40-man roster. Almonte has only appeared in 11 big-league games over the course of his career, but performed well between the Double- and Triple-A levels in 2017. Due to a recent bout of shoulder soreness, he will likely begin the year on the DL at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Norris will be available as a reliever over the next two games before likely being optioned to Triple-A Toledo upon the return of Mike Fiers (back) from the 10-day disabled list, Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group reports.

Unfortunately for Norris, it appears as though Wednesday's postponement cost him his lone chance at earning a start in the Tigers' rotation. Even in the event that Fiers will require a little extra time before returning to the major-league mound, the club will likely just plug Francisco Liriano in for Sunday's start. Barring anything unexpected, Norris will be in Toledo's rotation to start its campaign.

Barnes was saddled with a blown save Tuesday while allowing one run on two walks and a hit while striking out one over one inning, but Boston defeated the Marlins 4-2 in extra innings.

Barnes was the logical choice to save the game in the 11th inning after Boston plated a run in the top half of the inning. Craig Kimbrel was used in the 10th, and Barnes had authored three impressive scoreless outings to start the season. Facing the best part of the Marlins' order, he dispatched the first two batters before he walked two and gave up a game-tying double. He nearly was tagged with a loss, but shortstop Xander Bogaerts gunned down Justin Bour at home plate. Barnes remains a trusted member of the setup crew, but walks have been a constant since he was converted to a reliever in the majors.

Norris will not take the hill against Kansas City on Wednesday since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Norris will have to wait a bit longer to make his first appearance of the 2018 regular season, as the Tigers are the victims of another bout of bad weather in the Midwest. The 24-year-old could wind up being skipped in the rotation altogether, with Jordan Zimmermann, Michael Fulmer and Francisco Liriano scheduled to pitch in this weekend's series against the White Sox. Expect a definitive answer in the coming hours. Wednesday's scheduled game versus Kansas City will be made up April 20 as part of a doubleheader.

Graveman (0-1) gave up four runs, all earned, over five innings on eight hits with a strikeout and a walk in taking Oakland's 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.

Graveman was bested by Oakland's division rivals Tuesday and now has an 8.10 ERA and 1.60 WHIP to go along with just two strikeouts through his first two starts of the season. He shouldn't be used for fantasy purposes unless he starts to show consistent improvement.

Diaz struck out two batters during a scoreless ninth inning to collect his third save of the season in Tuesday's 6-4 win over San Francisco.

Aside from hitting two batters in his season debut, Diaz has been flawless through three appearances. He hasn't allowed a hit or issued a traditional walk yet, and the hard-throwing righty has already racked up eight strikeouts through just three innings. It shouldn't have been overly surprising to see him slip slightly to begin last season, as he was fast-tracked to the majors without ever appearing at the Triple-A level. However, he converted 21 of 23 save opportunities in the second half last year and owns the pitching arsenal to dominate opposing hitters. Big things could be in store for Diaz in 2018.