MLB Player News

Pomeranz (forearm) tossed three innings in a minor-league game Friday but is unlikely to be stretched out in time for the regular season, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports. "That's about as good as I could have hoped for today," Pomeranz said. "I've been working on a lot of stuff mechanically, just keeping it clean. I wasn't out there trying to burn it out, but I think it was coming out of my hand pretty good."

Pomeranz is headed for the disabled list to start the season, but it's not expected to be a lengthy stay. His injury along with Steven Wright (knee) being assessed a 15-game suspension for domestic violence leaves Boston's rotation for the start of the regular season undetermined. Brian Johnson was named Friday to join Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello, with the fifth spot coming down to Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) or Hector Velazquez. If Rodriguez can get his pitch count up before Opening Day, he'll join the rotation. If not, Velazquez will make at least one start.

Merritt will begin the 2018 season on the disabled list due to a "tired arm," Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona also said that Merritt was battling a knee issue during the offseason, which followed him into spring training. Though that injury appears to be behind him, Merritt is set to miss an extended period of time with an arm issue. Francona did not provide a timetable so an expect an update on Merritt's status once he's able to resume throwing.

Johnson will open the season as a member of Boston's rotation, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports.

A spot was opened up for Johnson with Eduardo Rodriguez (knee), Drew Pomeranz (forearm) and Steven Wright (knee) all battling injuries. Johnson made five starts for the Red Sox last year, posting a 4.33 ERA with a 5.26 xFIP. He avoided walks (6.6 percent walk rate) but didn't strike out enough batters (17.4 percent strikeout rate) to be anything more than a back-end starter. Barring an unexpected jump in his performance level, Johnson will likely be back in the minors soon or in a long-relief role, limiting his fantasy value.

Kimbrel threw an inning against Orioles minor leaguers Thursday, Chad Jennings and Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald report.

Kimbrel looked sharp against some high-level Baltimore prospects, striking out all three batters faced. Only one of them made contact, fouling off a pitch. This was Kimbrel's first game action since returning from personal leave. He's scheduled pitch Sunday and again Tuesday. Both he and the team are confident he'll be ready to go by the start of the regular season.

Rodney gave up one run with two hits in an inning to take the loss in Thursday's spring training defeat to the Yankees. He has a 4.50 ERA but six strikeouts in six innings this spring. He's set to begin the season as Minnesota's closer.

Despite giving up three runs in six innings this spring, Rodney looks ready for the season with six strikeouts and no walks. He'll try to repeat his success in Arizona last year where he had 39 saves in 45 chances with a 10.6 K/9. However, he may have a shorter leash with Minnesota as setup man Addison Reed is capable of taking over closer duties.

Scott was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

As expected, Scott will report to Norfolk to begin the season after spending the majority of the 2017 campaign with Double-A Bowie. The 23-year-old worked as a reliever in spring training, but he's expected to stretch out and continue his development as a starter at Triple-A. He sports power fastball/slider combo, but Scott will need to develop a quality third offering and refine his command if he wants to stick in the rotation.

Mengden allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk over 6.1 innings in Wednesday's 4-3 Cactus League loss to the Brewers. He struck out three.

A much-needed quality start for the A's projected No. 3 starter, who's been much steadier over his last pair of outings following a two-appearance stretch where he surrendered 10 earned runs over 6.1 innings. Mengden's recent improvement is an even more welcome sight following a report from Susan Slusser of SFGate.com that projected rotation mate Paul Blackburn will miss the start of the regular season at a minimum due to forearm tightness.

Yarbrough (1-1) compiled five strikeouts while allowing an earned run on two hits and two walks over three innings in Wednesday's 8-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox.

Yarbrough's path to a potential Opening Day roster spot goes through the bullpen, but his strong effort in a starting capacity certainly didn't hurt his cause. The towering lefty would give manager Kevin Cash an intriguing option against same-handed hitters, and the Rays skipper has particularly taken note of Yarbrough's confidence and consistent location, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "What he did last year in Triple-A is a big part of it," Cash said. "Strike-throwing ability. He comes in there and doesn't really seem to be affected by the environment, who's hitting. He goes with his game plan. He attacks with his game plan. As much as anybody, he might be our best strike-thrower."

Yacabonis was sent to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

Yacabonis was angling for an Opening Day roster spot in the bullpen but will head back to Norfolk to begin the 2018 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 14 games at the major-league level, posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 20.2 innings. Moving forward, the team has been intrigued by the possibility of turning Yacabonis into a starter, so it's expected that he will be utilized in a multi-inning role at the beginning of the season.

May (elbow) will toss a 50-pitch bullpen Friday and said that he's only a couple weeks away from throwing live batting practice, Mike Berardino of The Pioneer Press reports.

May continues to ramp up his activity following Tommy John surgery last March. The right-hander added changeups to his progression a few weeks ago, and stated that he will throw a pair of 55-pitch bullpens next week after Friday's session. Looking ahead, May is still targeting a return in late May or early June.