MLB Player News

Mengden will be out of his walking boot Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mengden underwent surgery in February after fracturing a bone in his right foot while tossing a bullpen session. Shedding his walking boot will be the first major step in his recovery process, which still remains without a firm timetable. The 23-year-old was in contention for the fifth starter role before he was sidelined, but the injury now leaves him with work to do once he's fully recovered.

Pruitt struck out five over four scoreless innings, giving up three hits and a walk in Thursday's 5-5 Grapefruit League tie with the Yankees.

The 27-year-old right-hander is competing for a bullpen role and has impressed throughout the spring. He's now sporting a 1.84 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 14.7 innings over seven appearances. Thursday marked his second start of spring training and with plenty of rotation experience over his last three minor league campaigns, Pruitt could make for a viable option for spot starts during the season if he sticks around on the roster.

Boshers threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring training win over Philadelphia. However, he has a 7.56 ERA this spring and allowed two home runs in 8.1 innings.

Boshers does have eight strikeouts in 8.1 innings, but he may be the odd man out in the bullpen and begin the season in Triple-A. Still, he has some upside since the minor league journeyman appeared to turn his career around last year with a a 10.0 K/9 at Triple-A and improved his historically poor control (8 BB/9 compared to a 3.7 BB/9 career rate in the minors).

Shaw retired two hitters, one via strikeout, in Thursday's exhibition contest against the Rockies.

Shaw's been smacked around a bit this spring (.387 BAA) and has failed to record a clean inning over his seven appearances. He's a bit behind as manager Terry Francona took a reserved approach with the right-hander due to this year's extended spring training schedule. Look for last season's league leader in appearances (75) to ramp up his game in the final days of camp.

Zych (biceps) recorded a perfect inning while facing Rangers minor leaguers Thursday, his first in-game action since October surgery for a biceps tendon transfer, Bob Dutton of The News Tribune reports.

The right-hander tossed only 12 pitches (eight strikes) while inducing two groundouts and striking out the last of three Double-A Frisco batters. Zych is expected to suit up for his first Cactus League action March 27 and could get in one more spring outing afterwards that would line him up for a regular-season debut soon afterward. Considered a fantasy sleeper for saves in recent years, he now has a steeper hill to climb behind Edwin Diaz and, when healthy, Steve Cishek (hip), though Zych's big strikeout ability may make him useful sometime this season in leagues that value non-closer relievers.

Green boasts a 1.50 ERA through 12 innings of work this spring.

Only two of his five appearances in Grapefruit League action have been starts, but Green's spring performance has been a cut above the other contenders for one of the final rotation spots, so it would appear he's currently on the inside track. The 25-year-old has some experience working out of the bullpen in the majors though, so he could stay up in the big leagues even if he's skipped over in the rotation battle.

Schultz has stumbled to a 6.75 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over six Grapefruit League appearances (5.1 innings).

Schultz entered camp as a favorite to win a middle-relief role, but his fate looks much different as spring nears its end. In 2015, the righty was a key contributor (3.56 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and .205 BAA) over 43 innings for the Jays. After that campaign, Schultz underwent offseason hip surgery and has struggled to return to form. With no options remaining on his contract, the 31-year-old would be exposed to waivers (and likely picked up) if he doesn't break camp with the MLB team.

Lee remains in the competition to replace Chris Tillman (shoulder) in the Opening Day rotation, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

The O's No. 10 prospect has put together a respectable Grapefruit League season, managing a 2.77 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 13 innings. In all likelihood, Lee will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk where he'll continue to refine his craft in 2017. Regardless, the 24-year-old left-hander has made his mark this spring and may have even earned himself a midseason shot in the big leagues.

Pomeranz will start Friday and is set to throw about 60-65 pitches against the Blue Jays, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Pomeranz hopes to get up to four innings Friday after leaving his previous start early due to triceps tightness. He's cutting it close to be ready for the first turn through the rotation, but the Red Sox will slot him in as the fifth starter which they will not need until the sixth game of the season, April 9 in Detroit. Conceivably, he'll get another two spring outings and be ready for that game. The other option is to place him on the DL and have Kyle Kendrick fill in. From a roster-management perspective, the Red Sox would like to keep Kendrick at Triple-A Pawtucket rather than have him make one start in Boston, so they have plenty of incentive to get Pomeranz ready for the Tigers.

Burdi allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning Thursday.

Burdi's expected to the start the season at Triple-A Charlotte, but the fact he's still in major league camp is a good sign. The 2016 first-round pick (26th overall) should make it up to Chicago at some point this season, but first he'll work on commanding his 100 mph gas in Charlotte.