MLB Player News

Whalen compiled nine strikeouts while allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks over five innings in Tuesday's 8-7 Cactus League loss to the Rockies.

The emerging right-hander was masterful over his time on the mound, particularly utilizing his curveball with great effectiveness, reports Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Whalen has now racked up 19 whiffs over 13 spring innings, putting himself squarely in consideration for the fifth starter role if Erasmo Ramirez (lat) remains sidelined for the start of the regular season as expected. Manager Scott Servais seemed especially impressed with the fact that Whalen made an outing where he may have not been at his sharpest look like his best of spring through prudent use of his breaking ball. "Awesome outing by Whalen, highlight of the day. He probably didn't have his best stuff. He had a really good curveball. I thought the velocity was a tick back from what we've seen earlier in camp. But the curveball was outstanding."

Graveman (1-2) allowed four earned runs on five hits and a hit batsman over three-plus innings in Tuesday's 9-8 Cactus League win over the Royals. He struck out four.

The right-hander picked up his first victory of spring, but he unraveled some in his final frame after being staked to a 7-0 lead. Graveman faced only two hitters over the minimum over his first three innings, but his plunking of Cheslor Cuthbert to open the fourth set off a troublesome chain of events. The 27-year-old wasn't able to notch another out after that point and allowed four runs overall, one which was charged to him after he exited. It was thus a true mixed bag for Graveman, as his impressive work was offset by a third straight appearance in which he allowed at least three earned runs. Time is running out for him to get matters straightened out before the onset of the regular season. He'll look to bounce back in a likely start against the White Sox on Sunday.

Kimbrel (personal) is set to throw a live batting practice session Thursday in Boston, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Kimbrel remains away from the team while tending to his daughter, who is recovering from a second heart surgery that she underwent a couple days ago. The reliever was able to throw a bullpen last week and looks to be in top shape heading into Opening Day.

Axford "should be pitching in the big-leagues, no doubt," according to manager John Gibbons, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Axford is in camp with the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal. He wasn't considered a favorite to earn a bullpen role, as he posted an ugly 6.43 ERA in 21 innings last season with Oakland and hasn't put up an ERA below 3.95 since 2011. The Blue Jays aren't stacked with experienced relief arms, so he certainly has a chance to make the team, though it's hard to imagine him being a significant fantasy asset.

Jimenez lost weight in the offseason and worked on developing a more repeatable, consistent delivery, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

After posting a 12.32 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in 19 innings at the MLB level last season, Jimenez looks like a new pitcher in spring training. Through five innings of work, he hasn't allowed an earned run and has struck out eight. "I feel a lot better now," Jimenez said. "Just mechanically, my arm feels good. Everything just seems right." Of course, spring training success doesn't always carry over into the regular season, but it's at least a positive sign that the 23-year-old could take a step forward this year.

De Leon underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After seeking a second opinion on his elbow last week, De Leon ended up having the surgery, as expected. He'll be out all season and should be taken off of draft boards in single-season leagues. His dynasty-league appeal is very limited as well, as he was a mediocre prospect to begin with and is now out for over a year with no guarantee that he'll return to his former self once his rehab is complete.

The Tigers reassigned Montgomery to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

He gave up three runs (two earned) in 5.1 innings over his six Grapefruit League appearances. The right-hander's quality work wasn't enough to convince the team's brass that he was worth adding to the 40-man roster, so he'll presumably report to Triple-A Toledo to open the season and serve in long relief.

The Tigers optioned Jimenez to High-A Lakeland on Tuesday.

Detroit opted to protect Jimenez, a 22-year-old reliever, from the Rule 5 draft and added him to the 40-man roster over the winter after he put up a 2.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60 strikeouts across two levels in 2017. Since most of Jimenez's best work came at Low-A West Michigan, he'll open the 2018 campaign in the Florida State League, where he saw his performance dip a bit following a midseason promotion.

Santiago will start a minor-league game Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

What makes this minor-league game newsworthy is that Santiago will get his own start on the same day that Carson Fulmer starts the White Sox's Cactus League game. Santiago's piggy-backed on a game started by Fulmer three times and, on two occasions, cleaned up a mess of Fulmer's making. Fulmer has not thrown well this spring, with 13 hits, four home runs and seven walks allowed in five innings. He was presumed to be the fifth starter to open the season, but by giving Santiago an opportunity to open a game, the White Sox appear to be considering him to replace Fulmer in the projected starting rotation.

Gonsalves was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Brandon Warne of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

Gonsalves reached Triple-A last year for the first time, struggling to a 5.56 ERA in a small, 22.2-inning sample. The 23-year-old lefty was much better in 87.1 innings at Double-A Chattanooga, posting a 2.68 ERA and striking out 27.3 percent of batters while walking 6.5 percent. He'll attempt to conquer Triple-A again this season and with strong performances could push for a call-up later this season.