MLB Player News

The Rays plan to use Colome, who led the American League with six saves of four or more outs last season, as a traditional ninth-inning closer in 2018, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

On multiple occasions last season, manager Kevin Cash called upon Colome to bail the team out of some tight eighth-inning scenarios, but he wants to avoid deploying that strategy as much as possible in 2018. Cash acknowledges that it probably "wasn't fair" to the right-hander to have to take on the extra workload, although he does leave open the possibility of the occasional four-out save opportunity for the 29-year-old if absolutely necessary. Even with the additional responsibility last season, Colome was able to notch 47 saves in 53 chances, becoming the first reliever in franchise history to pace the majors in that category. He's had limited work this spring, and the fact that he's yet to throw back-to-back games in Grapefruit League play doesn't concern him much. "We wait for the season to get closer to throw back to back, we'll see," said Colome, stressing the fact that a long season awaits. "I just try to do the same job I did last year. Give it all I have, 100 percent, and see what happens."

Farmer has tossed nine scoreless innings in spring training and has allowed four hits and four walks while striking out 10 batters.

Farmer initially reported to camp with the intent to compete for a rotation spot, but it wasn't long before the Tigers moved him to the bullpen. He has responded well to the demotion and has emerged as one of the Tigers' most electrifying arms in camp, with manager Ron Gardenhire relaying that Farmer is sporting a fastball clocked around 95-to-96 miles per hour and displaying a sharp breaking ball, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Given the dearth of power arms in the Detroit bullpen, Farmer looks in good position not only to make the Opening Day roster, but to also challenge for a key setup role in front of closer Shane Greene.

Heller could make the Opening Day roster if the Yankees decide to use an eight-man bullpen, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Heller appeared in nine games for the Yankees last season, allowing just one run in 11 innings. The 26-year-old righty is probably big-league ready, as he recorded a 2.88 ERA in 56.1 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilked-Barre last season, striking out 36.8 percent of batters. New York's bullpen is one of the deepest in the league, however, and doesn't have room for him unless expanded to eight men. Even if he does make the team, Heller is likely to be very deep on the closer depth chart and therefore not much of an asset in most leagues.

Junis has allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 14 in 10 innings so far this spring.

The pinpoint control that Junis displayed in the second half last year -- he had a 3.5 percent walk rate after the All-Star break -- has carried over into the spring. What's surprising is the 14 strikeouts, as Junis had a modest K-rate at the big-league level last year (7.3 K/9), although his runs at Double- and Triple-A hinted at room for some growth in that department. Nothing is official yet, but Junis seems to be cementing himself into the Kansas City rotation with his performance in camp.

Graveman was named as the Athletics' Opening Day starter Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

This will be Graveman's second consecutive Opening Day assignment. Last season, the 27-year-old came out of the gates hot with a 2.25 ERA in his first four starts, but shoulder issues limited him to 105.1 innings. He'll take the hill against the Angels in his first regular-season start of 2018, with the announcement coming in the wake of an impressive Cactus League outing against the Dodgers on Monday during which he racked up seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings while allowing only two hits.

Santiago pitched two more scoreless innings in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks and lowered his Cactus League ERA to 0.75.

Santiago is making a push for the No. 5 starter job that was presumed to be Carson Fulmer's at the onset of spring training. Since then, Fulmer allowed Santiago to creep into the picture after posting an 18.90 ERA over his first four starts. Fulmer righted himself somewhat, throwing his best game of the spring Monday, but this competition isn't over. Each pitcher will get one more opportunity later this week. Santiago is on the same schedule as Fulmer, so if manager Rick Renteria decides the young right-hander isn't ready to start the season with Chicago, the left-handed Santiago is a ready replacement.

Fulmer did not allow a hit while walking three and striking out four over four scoreless innings in Monday's start against the Diamondbacks.

Fulmer's nightmarish spring training took a pleasant turn Monday, which may have saved his spot in the White Sox's rotation. After he posted an unsightly 18.90 ERA over his first four starts, manager Rick Renteria expressed confidence in Fulmer, and the young right-hander delivered his best outing this spring. He'll get one more starting opportunity to prove he should head north to Chicago instead of east to Triple-A Charlotte.

Fulmer took the loss in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, but went five innings and allowed just two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked one.

This was Fulmer's first appearance in 10 days and just his third this spring after dealing with elbow soreness, so it was good to see him look sharp. He ramped up to 83 pitches in this one and looks on track to be ready to go for the start of the regular season, though he won't start Opening Day, as Jordan Zimmermann will get that honor.

Diaz fired a scoreless seventh inning in Sunday's 16-3 Cactus League loss to the Indians.

The hard-throwing closer hit 97 mph on the gun during his outing, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com, and he looks to be on pace for the start of the regular season. Diaz has allowed just two hits over seven innings across seven appearances this spring, and he'll look to garner a level of consistency in 2018 that he couldn't quite muster last season. Although he racked up 34 saves over 66 appearances, Diaz also lost his closer's job for a period of time. Limiting the long ball would likely go a long way towards a steadier effort this season, as Diaz's 1.36 HR/9 in 2017 was his highest of any stop in his professional career.

Coulombe earned his second hold of spring in Sunday's 14-0 Cactus League win over the White Sox, pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Coulombe is coming off his best major-league season in 2017, one that saw him generate a solid 3.48 ERA and 13 holds over 72 appearances. The 28-year-old represents a strong lefty relief option for manager Bob Melvin, although his value remains primarily limited to formats that count holds.