MLB Player News

Boxberger (lat/back) pitched a strong and setback-free batting practice session Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boxberger was reportedly a bit off on his first 10 or so pitches but then finished the session strong and emerged healthy. He's still shooting to pitch in a minor league game Tuesday, but manager Kevin Cash maintains that the team will not push Boxberger to be ready for Opening Day, particularly after the Rays had to endure long stretches without him last season.

Fulmer could pitch fourth in the Tigers' rotation to begin the year, which would have him starting the team's home opener, MLB.com reports.

Fulmer is probably Detroit's second-best starter behind Justin Verlander, but the team has monitored the young righty's workload this spring, especially after he sprained his ankle. "We're going to push Fulmer towards the back, because we started him slower [this spring]," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We want to ease him in." Fulmer logged 159 innings last season, which was easily the most in his professional career, so expect Detroit to be careful not to overwork the reigning AL Rookie of the Year.

Pomeranz was pulled from Sunday's start after just two innings due to tightness in his left triceps, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports. The Red Sox are saying he left for precautionary reasons.

Pomeranz was getting hammered prior to his departure, having allowed three runs and some loud contact. At this stage of the spring, starters are pitching more than two innings. With just two more available Grapefruit League starts, it's fair to question whether Pomeranz will be ready for the start of the regular season. If he's not ready to go, and with David Price (elbow) expected to start the season on the disabled list, the Red Sox will likely call on Kyle Kendrick for any available starts.

McHugh will pitch in a minor league game Wednesday, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

McHugh pitched two innings Friday in what Sattell referred to as a simulated game while Jodie Wagner of the Houston Chronicle called it a minor league game. Whatever the terminology, McHugh came out of Friday's outing well and is on a schedule toward the regular season.

Chavez threw 68 pitches in a minor league game Friday, while his main competition, Bud Norris, was told he will no longer follow a starting pitcher's rest schedule, the Orange County Register reports.

Chavez was already considered the frontrunner to win the Angels' fifth starter job, but the organization's usage of the pitchers Friday only increases that likelihood. The 33-year-old pitcher won't generate much fantasy buzz outside of deep leagues, but there is strikeout potential in his arm as a potential streamer or as a cheap DFS option in strong matchups. We will have to wait for an official announcement to be made, but Chavez appears to be the pitcher to target if you were following this competition.

Yates' new split-finger fastball may be the secret behind his Cactus League success, the Orange County Register reports.

Yates is currently a favorite to win one of the Angels' remaining bullpen spots with his current 1.50 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over six innings this spring. The soon-to-be 30-year-old attributes his newfound success to a splitter he has been incorporating into his arsenal. That being said, the career 5.25 ERA pitcher will have to show sustained success at the major league level before earning higher-leverage opportunities in the Angels' bullpen.

De Leon will start Saturday's game against Venezuela.

Saturday marks De Leon's first appearance of the World Baseball Classic as Puerto Rico looks to remain undefeated. He was recently optioned to Triple-A after an uneven stint in major league spring training in which he was touched up for 12 earned runs across four starts (17.0 IP). De Leon has exhibited swing-and-miss stuff, however, as he fanned 19 batters in those four outings.

VerHagen was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, MLive.com reports.

VerHagen is expected to join the Mud Hens' rotation. The 26-year-old underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on his shoulder last July, and he's still working his way back to full strength. VerHagen struggled before the surgery last season, but he posted a 2.05 ERA across 26.1 MLB innings in 2015 and could get the call sometime this season if he pitches well in Toledo.

Farmer was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, MLive.com reports.

Farmer is likely to work in the Mud Hens' rotation and he could be an option for the Tigers down the line. Last year, he made 14 appearances for Detroit, posting a 4.60 ERA and 27 strikeouts across 29.1 innings.

Kelly will be Boston's primary setup man if Tyler Thornburg (arm) is not ready by the regular season, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The Red Sox still feel Thornburg will be ready for the start of the season, though he may not be ready for the high-leverage situations for which they acquired him. In that event, Kelly will move up from the seventh inning to set up closer Craig Kimbrel.