MLB Player News

Fleming is considered the most likely option among pitchers at the Rays' alternate training site to take the injured Chris Archer's (forearm) place in the rotation, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Fleming was nearly unhittable in Grapefruit League play after posting a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across his first 32.1 big-league innings last season, making five starts among his seven appearances during the latter span. The southpaw therefore seemingly has the qualifications to temporarily step into a rotation role, albeit one that could be of relatively short duration if the recent news that Archer may not miss much time holds true.

Strop was selected as a replacement player by the Cubs on Monday.

The unusual designation means Strop can be removed from the 40-man roster without passing through waivers. He's needed on an emergency basis with the Cubs placing three relievers on the COVID-19 injured list Monday. The 35-year-old had several good seasons for the Cubs in the middle of the last decade, but he's struggled to a 4.91 ERA over the last two seasons.

Barria was sent to the Angels' alternate training site Monday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barria has made just one big-league appearance this season, giving up seven runs in two frames Saturday against the Blue Jays while walking four and failing to strike out a single batter. Ben Rowen was called up to take his long-relief role.

Adam was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Adam had pitched in each of the past two games and had posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.64 ERA with seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings to begin the season. He'll be eligible to return to the roster as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols, though it's unclear if he's contracted COVID-19 himself or if he's simply been exposed to someone else who did.

Hernandez underwent Tommy John surgery Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez was seen as one of the favorites to close for the Rangers this season before spraining his UCL in early March. The issue hasn't progressed as the team hoped, so he'll now miss the entirety of this season as well as roughly half of the 2022 campaign. With several other injuries striking the Rangers' bullpen, veteran Ian Kennedy has picked up the team's two saves thus far.

Guzman (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions at the Marlins' alternate training site, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Guzman has been on the 10-day injured list since March 29 due to right elbow inflammation, but he's progressed to mound work recently. The Marlins still don't have a timetable for Guzman's return, but the right-hander is expected to face live hitters as the next step in his recovery process.

Lamet (elbow) won't return until he pitches at least once more at the Padres' alternate training site, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet built up to 56 pitches during a game at the alternate training site Friday, but the team isn't rushing him back to the mound. Since the right-hander likely won't be ready to make his season debut at home against the Dodgers on Friday, the Padres will need someone else to fill in after Adrian Morejon (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday. Craig Stammen, Nabil Crismatt or Ryan Weathers could be options to start Friday's matchup if Lamet is unavailable.

Rusin signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rusin was with the Rockies from 2015 to 2019, but he spent most of the 2020 campaign with Atlanta before he was released in September. The southpaw has made just three relief appearances in the past two seasons but could be an option to fill in as bullpen depth at some point in 2021.

Webb, who fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in which he recorded a strikeout during Sunday's loss to the Brewers, has a 12.46 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across his first six appearances.

The left-hander is already logging his usual heavy volume of middle-relief work, but Webb has given up multiple earned runs twice, leading to his inflated numbers. The 30-year-old has posted ERAs of 3.76 and 2.08 over his last two seasons, however, so there's evidence to support the notion he can bounce back over time.

Perdomo was recalled by the Brewers on Monday.

Perdomo made eight relief appearances for the Brewers this spring and allowed one hit and four walks while striking out 12 in 6.1 scoreless innings. He should serve as a low-leverage reliever for Milwaukee after right-hander Eric Yardley was sent down in a corresponding move.