MLB Player News

Johnson was optioned to the Red Sox's minor-league camp Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Though David Price's (elbow) injury likely creates an opening in the rotation to begin the season, it's expected that Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz, who were competing for the fifth starter's role, will simply both be included in the rotation now. That left Johnson on the outside looking in, and the 26-year-old's underwhelming spring training performance made it an easy decision for the Red Sox to send him back to minor-league camp. He's expected to open the campaign with Triple-A Pawtucket, with whom he compiled a 4.09 ERA (4.73 FIP) in 77 innings a season ago.

Boxberger (back) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After his bullpen session Monday went well, Boxberger will toss another as he aims to progress to his first appearance of the spring. The Rays don't have a firm target date for his Grapefruit League debut, but the right-handed reliever indicated that he will "definitely" be ready for Opening Day.

DeLeon surrendered three earned runs on two hits and a walk over three innings in Monday's 9-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Twins. He struck out two.

DeLeon was notably better overall than in his spring debut last Thursday, when he wasn't able to log a full inning. However, there were still plenty of command issues for the right-hander, as he threw 26 pitches in the second inning and 54 in total through his three frames. DeLeon did consistently hit 90-93 mph with his fastball, and if not for Niko Goodrum's three-run home run in the second, his final line would naturally have looked a lot better. "I'm happy because I felt better than my previous starts," De Leon said. "Still working on the command, but I think it's a step forward today. Just have to keep working on it and it will be good."

Merritt has been rocked for seven runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings this spring.

The sample size doesn't need to be large to understand that Merritt isn't quite ready for the big leagues. Cactus League hitters have tagged him for a .346 BAA while drawing a walk and a hit-by-pitch over Merritt's three appearances. After being part of the last season's World Series roster, the lefty is slated to begin 2017 at Triple-A Columbus.

Armstrong pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while notching a strikeout in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Armstrong continued impressing this spring, as he extended his scoreless streak to 6.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out six over his six Cactus League appearances. Since the exhibition season began, Armstrong has thrown 39 of 49 pitches for strikes, quieting hitters to a .136 BAA and managing a 0.63 WHIP. He's worked his way to the inside position for the Indians' lone bullpen vacancy as Opening Day inches closer.

Almonte has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Almonte was competing for a spot in the Royals' big league bullpen, but he'll now return to Triple-A Omaha, where he pitched 60 innings in 2016. At 23 years old, he still has time to keep developing. However, the Royals will be hoping the young right-hander can improve upon 5.55 ERA he posted last season.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Smith had a been a candidate to claim one of Toronto's final bullpen spots, but it appears he will not be receiving that nod. The 35-year-old right-hander is not new to the Triple-A level, as he posted a 3.93 ERA in 130.2 innings pitched with Triple-A Nashville in the Athletics' organization last season.

Chavez had a solid outing Sunday, giving up two runs on four hits in his four innings of work. He struck out three and walked none in a win over the Mariners.

Chavez has been average at best this spring, posting a 4.32 ERA with nine strikeouts in his 8.1 innings of work. Even with the mediocre results, he remains the front-runner for the Angels' fifth rotation spot. His main competition, Bud Norris, has missed time with a finger injury and hasn't been effective on the mound this spring (6.23 ERA in 4.1 innings). It's still early, and things can change, but Chavez is the guy to target in deeper formats for seekers of cheap strikeouts.

Gonsalves was optioned to minor-league camp Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Gonsalves appeared in three games for the Twins this spring, allowing no hits and issuing just one walk across 3.1 innings. He'll start the year in Triple-A Rochester and could eventually earn himself a call-up to Minnesota at some point in 2017.

Boxberger (back) doesn't seem to have any concern about his availability for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I'll definitely be ready April 2," Boxberger said.

The right-hander is feeling better after tweaking a lat muscle in a workout last week, and is set to toss a bullpen session Monday to test things out. He'll likely need to complete multiple sessions and face hitters in batting practice or a simulated game before he's cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut, perhaps at some point next week.