MLB Player News

Chargois was optioned to Double-A Chattanooga.

Chargois missed two seasons with elbow injuries but had a promising 2.70 ERA and 9.3 K/9 at Double-A last season. He had a 5.45 BB/9, however, so he'll need to improve his control to advance. He's the type of hard-throwing reliever the Twins desperately need in their bullpen.

Johnson was pulled from Monday's game while accompanied by a trainer, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Johnson gave up hits to all four batters he faced and appeared to leave the game with an injury. It is not yet known if the 25-year-old re-injured his left elbow or if it is something new, but more information should be released in the near future.

Leclerc was optioned to minor league camp Monday.

Leclerc made the transition from reliever to starter last season but struggled to a 5.77 ERA and 98:77 K:BB in 103 innings at Double-A Frisco. The 22-year-old is unlikely to make an impact at the major league level and figures to spend the season at either Double or Triple-A.

Almonte was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

Almonte pitched well with the major league club during spring training, punching out eight batters while only allowing two earned runs in six innings pitched. The flamethrower will head back to the minors to get more experience against upper-level hitters, but if he can hold his own, the 22-year-old could find his way to Kansas City once again.

Sadzeck was optioned to minor league camp, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear where, exactly, Sadzeck will end up, but he could land back at Double-A Frisco, where he posted a 1-1 record and 9.61 ERA across seven appearances (six starts) in 2015.

Betances has yet to allow a run while striking out four over 2.1 innings in three appearances this spring.

Betances had another terrific campaign last season, working to a 1.50 ERA and maintaining an impressive 14.0 K/9 en route to earning his second straight All Star appearance. He's been asked to shoulder a heavy workload in the past, pitching 174 innings over the last two seasons, but the offseason arrival of Alrodis Chapman should work to lighten the load a bit. Chapman's 30-game suspension to start the season could open up the door for Betances to get some save opportunities in the early goings, but he'll likely remain behind Andrew Miller in the pecking order to finish out games.

Andriese (abdomen) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Andriese was scratched from his scheduled spring start Sunday with the injury, but he was able to play catch Monday and should get back up on the mound Tuesday, so it does not appear he is dealing with any sort of long-term setback.

Harvey was reassigned to minor league camp Monday, one day after allowing five runs while retiring two batters, MASN Sports reports.

Harvey saved his worst outing for last, as he struggled in his final spring outing. He did face regulars in the Twins lineup, but the result was poor for Harvey. Look for the Orioles to start him off in High-A this spring. He could make it to Double-A later in the season.

Merritt was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Merritt will begin the year where he concluded the 2015 season as he remains on somewhat of a longer-term developmental timeline. The 24-year-old went 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and six walks in five Triple-A starts in 2015.

VerHagen is almost a sure bet to crack Detroit's Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen, but his role is still up in the air, reports MLive.com.

"He could do anything," manager Brad Ausmus said. "If he pitches like we think he can, he could probably pitch and spell one of our back-end guys for a day if they needed a rest. He also has the ability to pitch multiple innings, if we needed to get from the fifth to the seventh." It's clear Ausmus will keep VerHagen in a relief role and he could be a source of holds this season.