MLB Player News

Loup is the early favorite to take over the left-handed setup role left vacant by the recently-departed Brett Cecil, MLB.com reports.

The biggest area of concern in this bullpen is the lack of a bona fide lefty reliever. Loup used to be one of those guys, but he is coming off a pair of disappointing seasons, and he'll really need to show things have changed before expectations can be raised. With Cecil gone, Loup has the most big league experience of the potential replacements, but he will also receive competition from Matt Dermody, Chad Girodo and Brett Oberholtzer. More additions likely will have to be made here, but until that happens, Loup should be in for a heavy workload. The walks will have to come down if he's going to cement that position, because the 5.02 ERA he posted in 2016 simply won't cut it in this role.

Callahan was invited to Red Sox camp for spring training.

The 22-year-old pitched well in High-A Salem last season, posting a 3.29 ERA across 65.2 innings while striking out 63 batters. He'll likely stay in the minors to help with his development.

Rutckyj agreed to a minor league deal with the Yankees that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 31-year-old has spent his entire career in the Yankees organization, only progressing to Double-A in his seven seasons. In his time at Double-A, the southpaw has a 4.12 ERA across 19.2 innings while striking out 25. He will likely stay in the minors in 2017 and serve as organizational depth.

Infante agreed to a minor league deal with the White Sox, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

The 29-year-old struggled in 2016, accumulating a 5.11 ERA across 61.2 innings with the Phillies' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2010, and that doesn't look like it will change with the White Sox next season.

Robertson (knee) is on the provisional roster for Team USA as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times reports.

Robertson underwent some cleanup surgery on his left knee following the 2016 season, but with his plans to participate in the World Baseball Classic, the knee does not appear to be a major concern this spring.

Covey (oblique) went 4-0 with a 4.74 ERA in six starts for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.

The Athletics exposed Covey to the Rule 5 draft, where he was selected by the White Sox. Chicago will have to maintain Covey on the major league roster this season, which may be a stretch for a right-handed starter with just 29 innings above High-A, but the rebuilding South Siders, who don't expect to contend this season, have the opportunity to carry a project like Covey.

Diekman (abdomen) underwent surgery that was made necessary by ulcerative colitis on Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Although Diekman is slated to return this coming season, he'll undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process, as his colon was removed during Wednesday's procedure. The tentative plan is for him to return around the halfway point of the 2017 campaign, but a more specific timeframe should become available as his rehab progresses.

Neal was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Neal appeared in 24 games for Oakland last season, including six starts. He finished the season with a 4.24 major league ERA over 70 innings. While he only struck out 3.5 batters per nine innings, he posted a very strong 0.8 BB/9 walk rate.

Zych (right shoulder biceps tendon transfer) started a light throwing program on Thursday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Zych underwent right shoulder biceps tendon transfer surgery in October, and has recently started rehabbing in Arizona. He will be reevaluated before the season, and he could be close to being ready by the end of spring training. With Edwin Diaz locked into the closer role, Zych will be primarily used as a middle-relief option when he returns.

Pomeranz agreed Wednesday with the Red Sox on a one-year, $4.45 million contract to avoid arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

After being acquired from the Padres prior to the trade deadline, Pomeranz didn't help stabilize the Red Sox rotation like the team had hoped, turning in a 4.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71 strikeouts over 68.2 innings. The lefty required a stem cell injection in his elbow earlier in the offseason, but it's not expected to delay him during spring training. He's projected to open his first full season with the Red Sox as the No. 4 or 5 pitcher in the rotation, and could come at a bargain in fantasy drafts following his disappointing finish to 2016.