MLB Player News

Johnson is doing away with his cutter in favor of a slider, a pitch he threw in college at Florida, the Providence Journal reports. "The first day I threw [the slider] live to hitters with [Blake] Swihart, he said, 'That's good. That's 100 times better than the cutter. I could even see you throwing it much more confidently,'" Johnson said. "When someone sees it and that's the first time they've caught you since early last year, that's reassuring."

Aside from replacing his cutter, Johnson's main goal is to make it through 2016 spring training healthy after suffering nerve irritation in his left elbow last August. So far, the managerial staff is pleased where Johnson stands at this stage of camp. "Our goal for Brian is to get through spring training, go through a normal progression in getting stretched out with no ill effects, and we're well into that right now," manager John Farrell said. "The velocity may not be what it was last year at this time, still his arm is working much more clean and free."

Smith (back) threw a bullpen session Sunday and will probably be back in a game by Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Smith threw two perfect innings with two strikeouts before getting sidelined with back spasms and is progressing towards a return to the field. He remains part of a deep group for setup duties in the Red Sox's bullpen.

May, who is competing for a spot in the Twins' rotation, may be out of the running after he allowed four runs in 2.2 innings Saturday, the Pioneer Press reports.

May was scheduled to go four innings, but was pulled early after 55 pitches and had difficulty locating his fast ball. Manager Paul Molitor said they'll get a look at two other pitchers competing for the same rotation spot -- Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey -- over the next two days and then reevaluate Tuesday on how they want to proceed.

Hultzen (shoulder) was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Hultzen competed for a big-league job this spring, but his pursuit was slowed by a shoulder injury that will keep him on the sidelines a while longer, and this move confirms that he will not break camp with the big club. His season figures to begin with Triple-A Tacoma.

Webb (hamstring) threw a perfect inning against the Yankees on Saturday.

Five pitches was all Webb needed to complete the frame, and he hasn't needed more than 11 pitches to complete any of his four innings this spring. Webb dealt with some hamstring tightness early in camp, but that's a distant memory now. He appears in line to fill one of the Rays' final bullpen spots.

Putnam suffered a lower-body injury and will be sidelined for a few days, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

He was on schedule to pitch Friday, but that was put on hold when he suffered the injury. Nonetheless, if he only misses a couple days he will still be on track for the start of the regular season.

Andriese has already been scratched from Sunday's start due to left abdominal tightness, Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese plays an important role for the Rays as a swing man/long reliever, but given the Rays' starting rotation depth, he is unlikely to see many starts this season. Taylor Guerrieri will start in his place Sunday, and Andriese should be considered day-to-day.

Smith (back) is scheduled to throw Sunday in Port Charlotte against the Rays, the Boston Herald reports.

Smith, who hasn't pitched in a game since last Sunday, threw a bullpen session Thursday. He's seen as one of three relievers, along with Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, that will work in a seventh- and eighth-inning setup role.

Fulmer will be stretched out as a starter, but could be in the mix for a bullpen role, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer hasn't appeared in a level above Double-A so far in his career, but his results are good enough to think he could hold his own in a bullpen role. It would cost him some development time as a starter though, which the Tigers may be reluctant to do with their key return from the Yoenis Cespedes trade.

Smith has been out since last Sunday due to back spasms, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Britton also reports that Smith said he felt fine yesterday and has already thrown a bullpen session but will need another before he can appear in a spring training game. The 26-year-old hasn't appeared in a game in Florida yet. If he has to miss any time to start the season, Koji Uehara will likely take a bigger share of setup duties.