MLB Player News

The initial diagnosis for Honeywell is a right forearm strain, but he is being further evaluated, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays' top pitching prospect suffered the injury while throwing live batting practice Thursday. Forearm strains can sometimes be the initial diagnosis of an injury that results in Tommy John surgery, and indeed, some teams use the term "forearm" to refer to the elbow when releasing official diagnosis to the media. More information regarding Honeywell's status should continue to pour in over the coming hours/days. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Honeywell suffered a potentially major arm injury during Thursday's live batting practice session, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He threw 8-to-10 pitches during the session before cursing loudly after a pitch and then walking off with the trainer. It's fair to expect the worst, given the information currently available, although Topkin says he hopes to learn more about the nature of the injury later in the day. Honeywell was set to join the big-league rotation a couple weeks into the season, but now it's possible that he won't pitch in the majors at all this season. It would be wise to shy away from drafting him at all in most single-season leagues until we know the full extent of the injury.

Fulmer (elbow) is scheduled to start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

As expected, Fulmer has made a full recovery from September ulnar transposition surgery, a procedure that resulted in the right-hander missing the final month of the past season. His rehab from the procedure only carried a 3-to-4-month recovery window, so he should remain on a normal throwing schedule throughout spring as he prepares for his third big-league season. With Justin Verlander now in Houston, Fulmer looks like the leading candidate to become only the third Opening Day starter for the Tigers in the past 11 years.

Honeywell was removed from Thursday's live batting practice session and appeared to be visibly upset, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to Topkin, Honeywell had tossed just 8-to-10 pitches when he began cursing loudly a few times following his previous throw, which is obviously not a great sign. The right-hander then exited the field with trainer Michael Sandoval and went to the team's clubhouse. Additionally, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE said that there didn't appear to be any issue with Honeywell's arm, but there should be an update on his status in the coming hours.

Chavez signed a split contract with the Rangers on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

Chavez will make $1.5 million if he makes the major-league roster. He spent 2017 with the Angels, struggling to a 5.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 138 innings split between the rotation and bullpen. The 34-year-old should compete for a spot in the Rangers' starting rotation during camp, but given he couldn't hold down a rotation spot with the pitching-starved Angels last season, he could spend the year in the major-league bullpen or as organizational pitching depth in the minors.

Castro still has a chance to crack the Orioles' rotation even after the signings of Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

The tall right-hander spent the last three seasons as a reliever, but the Orioles want to see what he can do as a starter given their lack of depth at the position. Castro had a decent campaign with the Orioles last season, producing a 3.53 ERA in 38 relief appearances and one start, but his peripherals raise many concerns. He hasn't struck out many batters in the majors (6.2 K/9 over the last three seasons) and he walks too many hitters (3.9 BB/9 in that span), with his FIP last season coming in nearly a run and a half higher than his ERA. Gabriel Ynoa and Mike Wright will also be vying for a rotation spot this spring.

Kelly is fine after taking a ball off his shin Wednesday morning, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Kelly was struck by a batted ball during live batting practice. He appeared fine immediately after the incident, walking off under his own power. X-rays have confirmed that there is no issue.

Torres agreed to a minor-league deal with Cleveland on Wednesday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Torres will look to latch on in the Indians' bullpen after posting a 4.21 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 67 appearances with Milwaukee last season. Though he fared much better in 2016, he will likely begin the upcoming campaign at the Triple-A level unless he's able to impress the organization this spring.

Moore (knee) was able to toss a batting practice session Wednesday, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Moore has been dealing with some soreness behind his right knee which kept him sidelined during the team's fielding practice this past weekend. On a positive note, he has been able to continue throwing, completing a bullpen earlier in the week, in addition to the batting practice session Wednesday. It doesn't seem as though there should be any real concern over Moore's status moving forward, but more should be known within the next few days as Cactus League action commences.

Kelly was struck in the shin by a batted ball during live batting practice and is receiving precautionary X-rays, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Kelly walked off under his own power, and the Red Sox believe he's uninjured. More details should be known once the X-ray results are in. It doesn't sound serious, but if there does turn out to be a fracture, Kelly would presumably miss time at the start of the season.