MLB Player News

Even though no one of any real authority has confirmed it, J.J. Hoover appears to be the top choice for saves in Cincinnati with both Aroldis Chapman (head) and Jonathan Broxton (forearm) sidelined for the foreseeable future.

So just how much of a priority is he in Fantasy? In terms of ability, I think he's a good fit for the role. He throws hard, and it shows up in his strikeout and hit rates, which isn't true for every hard-throwing reliever. He also seemed to turn the corner after some early struggles last year, allowing just five earned runs over his final 41 appearances for a 1.14 ERA.

But again, the job isn't for sure his. The most manager Bryan Price has offered is that he'll be part of a committee to begin the season (which never lasts, but he may not be the one to emerge). Plus, it's not like Chapman is out forever. At worst, he'll probably return by the All-Star break.

For that reason, I'm ranking Hoover behind other first-year closers like Nate Jones and Tommy Hunter and even behind a non-closer in Rex Brothers, who should take the job and run with it sooner than later in Colorado. I like Hoover better than anything Houston's closer committee has to offer, though.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller gave up three earned runs on three hits and three walks in five innings and struck out four in his team's 5-3 loss to the Mets Monday.

Miller has dealt with control issues recently, walking three batters in each of his last two starts and giving up three earned runs in each. He owns a 5.93 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings this spring.

The Nationals have reassigned pitcher Blake Treinen to minor-league camp. Treinen had a 4.66 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in six relief appearances this spring.

The Giants announced a pair of roster moves on Sunday.

The team optioned pitcher George Kontos to Triple-A Fresno. Kontos allowed two runs over six innings pitched this spring.

The Giants also re-assigned pitcher Dan Runzler down to minor-league camp. Runzler went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA over 6 2/3 Cactus League innings.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Sunday pitcher Joe Kelly has beaten out Carlos Martinez for the final spot in the team's rotation, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Martinez will now be moved to a setup role in front of closer Trevor Rosenthal.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who is out 6-8 weeks after getting struck in the face by a line drive, said Sunday he can begin light cardio in a few days and begin to get his arm back in shape shortly after that, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly worked around some control issues in his fourth spring start Sunday against the Astros. Kelly walked a spring-high four batters, but he allowed just two runs on two hits in five-plus innings, while striking out five.

Kelly tossed five scoreless innings before the Astros scored twice in the sixth inning. Kelly gave up a leadoff triple in the sixth inning, then an RBI single and a walk before being pulled with no outs.

Kelly has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his four spring starts. He has a 6.28 ERA.

Marlins left-hander Brad Hand failed in what could have been a last-ditch shot at a rotation spot on Saturday.

Hand likely fell out of the competition by yielding five earned runs on five hits in just four innings against the Mets. Included in the mauling were home runs by Travis d'Arnaud and Wilmer Flores. He walked three and fanned three.

It remains to be seen if Hand can stick in the bullpen. He had performed well this spring until Saturday.

The loss of Aroldis Chapman and injuries to Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall that could land both on the disabled list to start the season has J.J. Hoover as the top internal candidate to serve as Reds closer, FoxSports.com has speculated.

Hoover boasts the best resume of those left standing in the Cincinnati bullpen. He has a 2.61 ERA with four saves in the last two seasons combined as the setup man.

Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen showed Saturday why he is now considered one of the premier closers in baseball. He just showed it thousands of miles away from home.

Jansen shut down the Diamondbacks in the ninth inning to secure a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia. Only a two-out walk to Chris Owings prevented him setting Arizona down in order. He started his season by striking out Mark Trumbo and nailed down the save by throwing out Gerardo Parra after a comebacker.

He threw 15 pitches, 10 for strikes. Jansen should be good to go if called upon again for the second game of the brief series.