MLB Player News

Coulombe, who posted a 3-1 record over 35 appearances for the A's last season, is a candidate for the final bullpen spot and has looked impressive thus far this spring, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports.

The 27-year-old southpaw's handedness could be pivotal to him securing a bullpen spot in 2017, as Sean Doolittle is the only other lefty currently projected among Oakland's top six relievers. Despite not wielding an elite fastball, Coulombe flashed some impressive strikeout ability last season, generating a 10.20 K/9 on the strength of 54 whiffs over 47.2 innings. Manager Bob Melvin has already singled out Coulombe for praise in early workouts.

Kelly shortened the arm action in his delivery last season when he was moved to the bullpen full time, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. After moving to the pen, Kelly had a 1.02 ERA and 1.019 WHIP, striking out 21 and walking five over 17.2 innings.

Instead of raring back and seeing how high he could register on the radar gun, Kelly kept his arm closer to his body, an adjustment that led to a more consistent release point and allowed him to stay on top of his pitches. That in turn led to consistent location of those pitches -- a fastball directed to the outside corner, stayed on the corner, and likewise pitches thrown on the inside corner. No longer were his pitches leaking over the plate where they could get hammered. It's a whole new world for Kelly in the pen. He'll be an important setup piece for closer Craig Kimbrel and will get fireman duty in high-leverage, non-save situations.

Burdi is viewed by the organization as a potential closer, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports. "We view him as an elite reliever, but he has back-end-of-the-bullpen type of stuff," White Sox director of player development Chris Getz said. "Does that mean that's where he starts? Is he going to go right as a closer? Not necessarily, but he has the potential to become a closer."

Burdi, a 2016 first-round pick (26th overall), touched multiple levels of the organization last season, finishing out the season at Triple-A Charlotte. He fanned 51 batters over 38 innings, but also walked 20. So right there, we see command is something the 21-year-old right-hander needs to clean up before he's entrusted to a closer's role for the White Sox. He's expected to reach the majors at some point in 2017 and there could be a savior role available should Chicago eventually move closer David Robertson in a deal.

Graveman, who slots in as the A's' No. 3 starter going into spring training, has impressed manager Bob Melvin with his command thus far, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports.

The 26-year-old righty, who brought his BB/9 down from 2015's 2.96 to 2.27 last season, is working on tightening up his control even further in the coming season. Graveman has been successful in that quest so far by all accounts, and is also focused on improving his changeup in an effort to keep right-handed hitters off balance. Gravemen looked impressive in what was his first time facing hitters Monday, and will engage in another round of batting practice later in the week.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw his first bullpen session of spring training Monday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Reports surfaced earlier in February that the left-hander hadn't thrown off a mound yet following an offseason stem-cell injection, but it seems that Pomeranz is back on track with his throwing program. The duration of the session is unclear, as is how much of a delay this situation caused, but things should become clearer as he continues to throw this spring.

Rosin signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Monday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rosin briefly appeared in the majors for four appearances with the Rangers and Phillies in 2014 and 2015, but he'll likely have to prove his worth in the upper minors before getting a chance with the Twins. The 28-year-old only threw 8.2 innings at Triple-A El Paso in the Padres organization last season, serving up eight runs on 14 hits and three walks.

Merritt will likely begin the 2017 campaign as a starting pitcher for Triple-A Columbus, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Merritt appeared in four regular season games for the Tribe in 2016, but only one of those was as a starter (he also picked up a start in the post season). With no open spots in the rotation, the only option for Merritt to make the Opening Day roster would be as a reliever. However, the 24-year-old southpaw is a natural starter, and the wise decision is to not derail him from his projected path. Merritt will almost certainly pick up a handful of spot starts for the Indians in 2017, but projects to have a much bigger role in the foreseeable future. The crafty Merritt is well-suited for dynasty drafts.

May (back) will compete for a spot in Minnesota's starting rotation this spring, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

May looked set to become a key factor in Minnesota's bullpen last season, but his year was sidetracked with back trouble that helped result in a a 5.27 ERA and 1.5 HR/9. The Twins believe his back woes may have been worsened by the inconsistent workload inherent as a reliever. Despite his struggles last year, May still struck out 12.66 K/9 and had a 93.9 mph average fastball. He'll make for an intriguing option if he's able to win a spot in the rotation.

Betances lost his arbitration case Saturday and will receive $3 million in 2017, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

He was seeking to make $5 million this year, his sixth with the Yankees. Betances has been an All-Star in three consecutive seasons while becoming one of most consistent relievers in the American League. He's expected to return to a setup role this season with the re-signing of Aroldis Chapman.

Lopez, who pitched both as a starter and reliever for Washington last season, prefers to start.

Lopez was acquired by the White Sox during the offseason in the Adam Eaton deal that also delivered top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito. He finished out the 2016 season in Washington, making six starts and five relief appearances for the Nationals, but may need to start 2017 at Triple-A Charlotte given the existing starting candidates on the major league roster. With the White Sox in a rebuild mode, it's a possiblity that a good spring out of Lopez leads to a spot in the rotation for Chicago. Even if Lopez opens the season in Charlotte, you'll certainly see him in Chicago at some point during the season when the organization makes a commitment to its young starters.