MLB Player News

Staumont, who solved his ongoing struggle with inconsistent command in the second half of 2016, could be in the mix for a roster spot with the Royals in spring training, the Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals may opt to give Staumont more time to develop in the minors to begin the year, but one other path would be for him to work out of the bullpen to open 2017 with the hope of a transition to a starting role later in the season. Staumont can touch 100 mph with his fastball, and his success from late-August on with Double-A Northwest Arkansas included a six-start stretch with only 12 walks in 34.1 innings after he issued 96 walks in 89 frames between High-A and Double-A over the first four-and-a-half months of the season. Additionally, Staumont has posted an 11:4 K:BB in 10.1 innings on the mound in the Arizona Fall League in October.

Strahm will be in the mix for a starting rotation spot with the Royals during spring training, the Kansas City Star reports.

He pitched exceptionally well in the bullpen after being called up by the Royals in 2016, but general manager Dayton Moore is looking for internal candidates to round out the team's rotation. Strahm started 18 of the 22 games he pitched at Double-A in 2016, piling up a 107:23 K:BB in 102.1 innings with Northwest Arkansas. If he fails to win a job out of camp, the makeup of the Royals' bullpen may ultimately determine if Strahm remains stretched out as a member of the rotation at Omaha to begin the season.

Pomeranz was examined by a doctor Tuesday, and it was determined that he will not need surgery to be ready for spring training, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

The left-hander dealt with some forearm soreness toward the end of the season, leading some to believe that an operation over the offseason would be needed in order to have him ready to go by the spring. With that thought now defunct, Pomeranz will go about his offseason training regimen as normal in order to work his way back into the Red Sox rotation.

Brasier re-signed with the Athletics on a minor league contract, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Brasier pitched out of Triple-A Nashville's bullpen for the duration of the 2016 season, posting a 3.56 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while going 1-for-4 in save opportunities. He appeared in the big leagues back in 2013, but he likely will act as organizational depth for Oakland unless they run into massive bullpen issues.

Merritt was notified that he's on the Indians' World Series roster, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Following his heroics in Game 5 of the ALCS, the Indians decided to reward the left-hander with a roster spot for the World Series, although his role on this squad remains to be seen. Merritt seems like a potential option to start Game 4, but Corey Kluber could pitch on short rest if needed, and Danny Salazar (forearm) could also swipe the start now that he's been added to the World Series roster. Things should become clearer as the series plays out.

Zych (biceps) underwent a right shoulder biceps tendon transfer last Tuesday.

Thankfully for Zych and the Mariners, the surgery did not involve the rotator cuff or the capsule in his throwing shoulder, which should help him return to throwing sooner. The right-hander is expected to be 100 percent by the time spring training begins.

Merritt is scheduled to start Tuesday's ALCS tilt against the Blue Jays.

Mike Clevinger was initially slated to start Tuesday's matchup in Toronto, but it seems that manager Terry Francona wanted to ride Merritt, who filled in admirably at the end of the regular season. This change is conditional on Trevor Bauer's start Monday going poorly, in which case Corey Kluber would take the reins for Game 4, sliding Merritt to Game 5.

Scott allowed a run in two innings for Peoria of the Arizona Fall League Tuesday.

Scott used a fastball clocked at 97-99 mph for the vast majority of his 30 pitches, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports. He threw up to 100 mph in the Arizona Fall League last year, which turned the heads of a lot of scouts. Scott served as a reliever at High-A and Double-A this season. He missed plenty of bats, ringing up 81 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. But that number came at the price of 57 walks. If Scott can learn to control his stuff, he could be a strong bullpen arm in the future.

Barnes will replace Francisco Liriano (concussion) on the Blue Jays postseason roster, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Barnes, who had a 3.95 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 12 games this season, will be on the roster for Sunday's Game 3 against Texans.

Rodriguez (shoulder) was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

The Athletics made a slew of roster moves to clear space on the 40-man roster, and given the fact that Rodriguez isn't expected to pick up a baseball for another few months, they decided to leave him off the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old struggled in the big leagues this season, posting a 4.20 ERA out of the Oakland bullpen, so he'll likely act as organizational pitching depth going forward.