MLB Player News

Pomeranz gave up one run over four innings with four strikeouts in his first spring start Thursday and has put himself in position to make a case for a spot in the rotation. "He's making a very strong one right now," said Padres manager Andy Green told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Pomeranz had made four appearances as a reliever this spring, but Thursday's start could indicate his status in the rotation. He has a 5.73 ERA this spring but with 11 strikeouts and four walks in 11 innings. He'll be an intriguing end game pick if he makes the rotation given his high strikeout rates (8.6 K/9 last season) and home park.

Rusin (finger) won't be ready for the start of the season, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

Rusin has yet to pitch in a game since injuring his left middle finger in early March, and while he should be available before the end of April, he's unlikely to be an option for the first turn or two through the rotation. With Jon Gray (abdomen) also unavailable, the Rockies could go with a four-man rotation, or else look to David Hale, Yohan Flande and/or Christian Bergman. As the schedule lines up, Colorado won't need a fifth starter until Apr. 18.

Castro could close some games toward the end of this season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Jake McGee and Jason Motte are the two most likely candidates to open the season as the Rockies closer, creating a roadblock to any save opportunities in the earlier part of the season for the young fireballer. However, Castro has proven that he can pitch well against major league hitters this spring, and if he can translate it to the regular season, he could work his way into higher-leverage innings and possibly even some save situations if McGee or Motte get hurt or falter.

Garcia, likely competing with the likes of Pedro Baez for a roster spot, has a 2.45 ERA through 7.1 innings this spring.

Garcia showed flashes of dominance last year in posting a 10.8 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 at the big league level. Home runs were an issue at times, but Garcia should have a good shot at sticking this year.

Barraclough was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday.

Barraclough was seen as a possibility to earn a spot in the back end of Miami's bullpen for the start of the season, but he struggled in the spring to the tune of a 4.26 ERA with as many walks (eight) as strikeouts. The move down to the minors still comes as a bit of a surprise, but the 25-year-old should work his way into the major league mix at some point.

Nolin may not be ready for Opening Day due to an elbow injury, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Elbow injuries are always concerning, but at this point it remains unclear exactly what Nolin is dealing with. The lefty, who was competing for a spot in the big league bullpen, hasn't pitched in a spring game in over a week. It's possible that he gets sent back down to the minors once healthy, in order to get back into game shape.

Manager Andy Green said Tuesday that Maurer will move back to a bullpen role, Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune reports.

Maurer came into spring training with a chance to land a spot in the back end of the Padres' rotation, but a series of poor outings have taken him out of the running. He has given up five home runs and five walks over 5.2 innings of work this spring, helping to balloon his ERA to 25.41. Maurer does offer upside out of the bullpen thanks to the mid-to-high 90s velocity on his fastball, but he may have trouble landing a fantasy-relevant role in the pen immediately. Kevin Quackenbush and Fernando Rodney remain the front-runners for the Padres' closing role while the competition for a final rotation spot is boiling down to Robbie Erlin, Colin Rea, and Drew Pomeranz.

Hernandez said he felt good after throwing an inning in a Grapefruit League game Monday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hernandez allowed a double and a triple in his inning of work as he struggled with his fastball command. He is on track to open the regular season on the active roster, but it remains to be seen if he will be the closer or if the Phillies will go with Andrew Bailey.

The Phillies optioned Murray to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Murray gave up just one earned run over 5.1 innings with the big club this spring, but he did not do enough to break camp with the big club. He figures to be an option for the big league club at some point this season after posting a 2.67 ERA and striking out 77 batters in 77.2 minor league innings in 2015.

Treinen pitched four shutout innings Sunday after Joe Ross was struck in the heel by a comebacker, allowing two hits and striking out three.

He's now sporting an 0.00 ERA and 8:1 K:BB ratio through eight spring innings. Treinen appears ticketed for long relief to begin the season, but if Ross' injury proves to be more serious than originally thought, it's possible Treinen could get a turn or two in the rotation in early April.