MLB Player News

With Mike Fiers likely to begin the season on the disabled list, Norris stands a good chance of being the Tigers' No. 5 starter, George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers added veterans Fiers and Francisco Liriano in the offseason, and it was thought that those acquisitions would squeeze Norris out of the rotation to begin the year. But with Fiers dealing with back tightness, the door is open for Norris. With Fiers posting a 5.22 ERA last season and giving up 12 runs in 11.1 innings this spring, Norris could hold onto the job if he performs well in the early going. He struggled to a 5.31 ERA last season in 101.2 innings, but the 24-year-old lefty does have the talent to take a jump this season.

Alvarez was claimed off waivers by the Mariners and was subsequently sent to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The southpaw was sent to the minors by the Cubs after a rough start to spring training, but he'll now make a return to the AL West instead of going to Chicago's affiliate in Iowa. Alvarez did produce a 2.76 ERA in 20 appearances for the Rangers last season, but his FIP was well above that (4.67) thanks to some command struggles in the majors. Alvarez has some upside thanks to his past major-league experience, but he'll need to first claw his way out of the minors before attempting to climb the bullpen depth chart.

Puk was shut down with biceps soreness Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Puk had an MRI, which revealed no structural damage. He's expected to resume throwing soon. Arm issues are never a good sign for a young pitcher, though there's no evidence yet that this particular one will be a threat to Puk's season. He was reassigned to Oakland's minor-league camp Sunday but is expected to join the big-league rotation at some point this summer. That timeline would be altered if Puk's injury turns out to be more serious than initially believed.

Fulmer will be the White Sox's fifth starter, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Despite a few poor outings this spring, Fulmer will begin the year in Chicago's rotation. The 24-year-old posted a 5.79 ERA in 126 innings for Triple-A Charlotte last season, and his 3.86 ERA in 23.1 big-league innings came with a 6.20 xFIP. He's likely to lose his spot mid-season when Carlos Rodon recovers from shoulder surgery, if not before. Having a rotation spot gives him some value in deep leagues, but he hasn't proven that he can be much of an asset anywhere else.

Harvey was optioned to Double-A Bowie on Wednesday, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

Harvey has thrown just 31.1 innings since 2014, missing time with a fractured fibula, a flexor mass strain and Tommy John surgery. He still has high upside but almost no track record, having never pitched above Low-A. He'll skip High-A this season and jump straight to Double-A. That leaves him theoretically on the cusp of a major-league call-up, but he'll have to remain healthy and prove he can handle Double-A hitters before the team considers a promotion.

Gomez (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Mariners, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Gomez has been dealing with a sore shoulder for the past 10 days. After flaming out with the Phillies last season to the tune of a 7.25 ERA in 22.1 innings, he has a shot to make Chicago's bullpen this year, though he'll need to prove he's healthy for that to happen. He's pitched well so far this spring, allowing no runs in 7.2 innings.

Chavez will be used as a reliever by the Rangers this season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Chavez was competing for a spot in the Rangers' rotation, but it appears that he'll make the team as a reliever instead. The 34-year-old has been primarily a reliever in seven of his 10 major-league seasons. Chavez would have had little value as a starter, with a high ERA and an unremarkable strikeout rate (20.4 percent for his career), though at least he could have picked up a few wins. His value is even less as a long reliever and there will be little reason to own him in all but the deepest of leagues unless he returns to the rotation.

Treinen, who is in line to be the designated closer to open the season, fired a scoreless inning in which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in Tuesday's 8-2 Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

It's a continuation of what's been a strong exhibition slate for Treinen, one that's seen him allow just one earned run over seven appearances, leading to a 1.42 ERA. Treinen accumulated 16 saves and 10 holds with the Nationals and Athletics in 2017, and a chance to potentially operate as a closer for a full season for the first time in his career brightens his fantasy prospects considerably.

Pomeranz (forearm) will likely open up the 2018 season on the disabled list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz suffered a left forearm flexor strain during a start against the Cardinals on March 2. Manager Alex Cora did not expect him to be ready for Opening Day as of a week ago, and it appears as though nothing has changed that line of thinking with the season fast approaching. Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) remain uncertain for their first start of the regular season as well, so Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson are in play to take the mound during Boston's opening week.

Johnson is expected to start the regular season in the rotation, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Johnson's fate over the last three weeks has hinged on the health of Drew Pomeranz (forearm), Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee), all of whom are behind schedule. Rodriguez has a chance to be ready for the first week of the season, but it appears Johnson will make at least one start.