MLB Player News

Twins starting pitcher Trevor May took the mound Friday against the Pirates in perhaps his last bid to make the starting rotation. Unfortunately, it wasn't a banner outing for the May.

The right-handed hurler allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out two. 

May (0-1) allowed a solo home run to Gregory Polanco in the first inning and a solo home run to Tony Sanchez in the fourth inning. May has a 4.22 ERA through three spring outings (two starts).

"He gave up some hard-hit balls," manager Paul Molitor said, per the Pioneer Press. "Overall he got dinged up a little bit. Probably wasn't his best day. Overall, no complaints with that young man this spring."

Astros reliever Josh Fields continued his rehab from a groin injury on Friday with a round of catch. Fields has been sidelined since Monday -- his only appearance of the spring -- with the issue. He has been evaluated every day, and is not scheduled to play catch on Friday, according to MLB.com.

Fields' status for Opening Day remains up in the air.

Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) pitched three innings in a minor-league intrasquad games, according to Comcast SportsNet Northeast. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five. Of his 53 pitches, 31 were strikes.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings while striking out one in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Giants.

Chavez, who was on the mound just two days after the birth of his daughter, is happy with his performance this spring, the Bay Area News Group reports.

"I feel good," Chavez said. "I’ve put some men on, but I’ve pitched out of some jams. I’ve showed them I won’t let it snowball."

Chavez believes he needs to improve at changing the eye level of batters.

"I’ve got to get them to change eye levels better," Chavez said. "The last two or three starts, I haven’t been able to do that. The pitches that I’m trying to elevate they’re fouling off (instead of swinging and missing) and that runs up my pitch count."

Chavez has posted a 4.50 ERA in 16 innings as he competes for a spot in the rotation.

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez allowed just five hits and one walk in six scoreless innings while striking out four in Thursday's spring start against the Rockies.

Martinez is battling for the final spot in the team's rotation and did a good job making his case Thursday, limiting the Rockies to just one extra-base hit.

"Nick threw the ball very well," manager Jeff Banister said after the outing, per MLB.com. "He showed all four pitches, pounded the strike zone, had a five-pitch inning and a seven-pitch inning. He was effective with everything he threw. It was an impressive night for Nick."

Martinez allowed a run in his spring debut but has delivered 8 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two appearances to lower his spring ERA to 0.84.

The Rays reassigned right-hander Ronald Belisario, right-hander Andrew Bellatti, right-hander Bryce Stowell and infielder Eugenio Velez to minor-league camp, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Rays pitcher Alex Colome (pneumonia) completed a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, and is scheduled for another session on Friday, according to the Tampa Tribune. Colome was hospitalized with pneumonia last week, and is behind  in his preparation for the season. His Opening Day status remains up in the air.

White Sox pitcher David Robertson hasn't pitched in game since Saturday due to soreness, pitching coach Don Cooper said, per the Chicago Tribune. The soreness Robertson is experiencing is in his forearm, but he said he isn't concerned.

"I'm not going for MRIs or anything like that," Robertson said.

Robertson threw a side session Thursday which went well, reports CSN Chicago. Manager Robin Ventura said Robertson's soreness was typical for spring training and he's not concerned with his Opening Day status.

Astros reliever Josh Fields told reporters that his groin strain has calmed down after he's been evaluated every day, per the Houston Chronicle.

"I don't think it'll be too long before I'm off the mound again," Fields said.

Fields has been sidelined since Monday -- his only appearance of the spring -- with a groin issue. He indicated that he remains uncertain if he'll be ready by Opening Day.

"I don't know. I don't think we've gotten there yet. I'm hoping, hopeful," Fields said.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told reporters that every bullpen role is up for grabs except for Fernando Rodney's role as the closer, per the Tacoma News Tribune.

"One thing I expressed to the guys in that bullpen is the Rodney is etched in stone. Nobody else," McClendon said.

Rodney converted 48 of 51 save chances, with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 66 1/3 innings of relief in his first season in Seattle.