MLB Player News

Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) will pitch in a minor-league game Friday and will be re-evaluated after the outing, MLB.com reports.

"And see how he responds," manager John Farrell said. "Not only in the game situation where there's going to be added adrenaline, probably increased velocity, but the up and down three times [Sunday], he felt fine coming out of that. There were no restrictions as far as pitches thrown or just getting warm multiple times. I don't anticipate him not being ready at this point, but we're just keeping the other scenario as an option."

The Red Sox could opt to carry four starters and eight relievers at the beginning of the season if the team determines Kelly needs to open the season on the disabled list.

Although Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) made it through his bullpen session Sunday unscathed, manager John Farrell indicated Monday the team could open the season with eight relievers since they won't need a fifth starter until April 15, per WEEI.com.

“I don’t anticipate him not being ready at this point, but we’re just keeping the other scenario as an option,” Farrell said. “I think that group has probably narrowed some, the guys in competition (for a spot in the bullpen). We’ll have more information to factor in by Saturday, which would include Kelly’s next outing. There’s one scenario that could have us break with eight relievers. And the first time we would need a fifth starter would be on the 15th. That’s all being factored into this as well.”

Athletics pitcher Fernando Rodriguez was sent down to the minors Sunday after another wave a cuts. But, manager Bob Melvin thinks Rodriguez could be back up in the majors later on in the season, reports Bay Area News Group.

"There are guys we need to get a read on, give an opportunity to pitch, find more innings for," Melvin said. "The timing was not good with him giving up a couple of hits. But he's an option for us."

Astros pitcher Josh Fields suffered a right groin strain during Monday's game against the Braves and will be further evaluated Monday, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Fields left his appearance during the game with the injury. Fields also dealt with a slight hamstring injury earlier this spring.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi indicated Monday the team might use Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller in the closer's role rather than having one of them handle the job full-time.

"In years past we had a pretty defined closer so there was never a question,'' Girardi said, per ESPN. "In looking at the candidates that we have, neither one of them have really closed. And we could still name a closer, but it’s not on the top of my priority list.''

Miller, who was signed in the offseason, has just one save over nine MLB seasons. Betances also has just one save in 78 career appearances.

"To me, the important thing is they understand if we don’t name a closer, in the later innings which guys are theirs,'' Girardi said. "In your mind you can start preparing in the sixth, sort of like a closer would, these are the guys I'm going to face. I think the most important thing is communication, and they understand you’re role isn't clearly defined as you’re the eighth inning guy and you’re the ninth inning guy, but your role is clearly defined when you’re going to pitch.''

Astros reliever Josh Fields left Monday's game against the Braves in the top of the seventh inning due to an apparent injury, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Fields, who was in his first inning of work, retired Kelly Johnson on a fly out before manager A.J. Hinch and pitching coach Brent Strom went to the mound to meet with Fields following his third pitch to Zolio Almonte. Fields was then removed from the game following a discussion with Hinch and Storm.

Fields already dealt with a minor injury issue this spring, as he had a bullpen session pushed back one day in late February due to left hamstring tightness.

Rays pitcher Alex Colome (pneumonia) threw 20 pitches at about 70 percent in his Monday bullpen session and all went well, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The bullpen was the first of three scheduled sessions for Colome, who was hospitalized recently due to the illness but was released late last week. It's possible he'll miss the beginning of the regular season as he has fallen behind in his preparation for the season.

The Royals made a number of roster moves after Sunday's game including optioning Michael Mariot, Yohan Pino, Francisco Pena, Cheslor Cuthbert and Reymond Fuentes to Triple-A Omaha. 

They also optioned pitcher Brandon Finnegan to Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Terrance Gore to High-A Wilmington. In addition, Kansas City re-assigned Parker Morin and Brett Eibner to their minor-league camp, the team announced.

The Athletics made another set of roster moves Sunday, re-assigning the following players to their minor league camp: Matt Olson, Joe Wendle, Brad Mills, Ryan Verdugo, Fernando Rodriguez, Kevin Whelan and Carson Blair, according to MLB.com.

Indians pitcher Bryan Shaw is using the spring to try and work on a sinker to give himself a new weapon against left-handed batters, but the pitch has been inconsistent and caused him to fall behind in counts often, MLB.com reports.

"It's first pitch to every hitter and then trying to mix it in as much as you can," Shaw said. "It's just obviously different from the way that I throw. I cut everything, so it's just trying to basically manipulate it to do something different. It's obviously not quite working."

Shaw has surrendered a .745 OPS to left-handed batters in his career while limiting right-handed batters to a .566 OPS.

"He's messed around with [a sinker] in the past," pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "But he's never really thrown it in a game. It's just something he can throw to lefties. Obviously, he had his struggles with lefties last year. So, he's trying to figure out something he can throw away to lefties and keep it out away from them."

Shaw has surrendered 12 runs (six earned) in 4 2/3 innings this spring.