MLB Player News

Boxberger struck out three batters over a perfect inning of relief in Wednesday's spring game.

It's been an up-and-down spring for Boxberger, who has looked sharp in five of his eight appearances but was tagged for eight earned runs in his other three. Despite the rough outings, he remains in the mix for a spot in the Brewers' bullpen.

King is projected to make the Rangers' bullpen, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

King, who made his MLB debut in 2020 despite never pitching above High-A, has allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over 7.1 Cactus League innings. The Rangers are hurting in the bullpen and dealing with injuries to Jose Leclerc (elbow) and Jonathan Hernandez (elbow). The relievers still standing do not have defined roles at this time, but King should land in a middle-relief role with the capability of contributing more than three outs.

McHugh fired two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in a Grapefruit League loss to the Orioles on Tuesday, allowing a hit and recording three strikeouts.

The veteran was able to put together his first scoreless effort in three trips to the mound this spring, an encouraging development after he'd already shown some improvement following a rocky debut by allowing an earned run over two frames the prior time out. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports manager Kevin Cash noted that pitchers which have the ability to serve as bulk relievers will be particularly valuable as starter's innings are managed more carefully coming off the abbreviated 2020 campaign, adding that he "can't imagine scenarios" where a versatile arm like McHugh isn't on the Opening Day roster.

Lamet tossed one inning against the Giants in a Cactus League game Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit.

Lamet threw 12 pitches in the outing (seven strikes) and sat between 95-98 mph on his fastball, per Danny Vietti of CBS Sports. The right-hander was touched up for a home run by Donovan Solano but otherwise breezed through three batters. Lamet appears unlikely to be ready for a rotation role at the start of the campaign given his brief initial outing, but Wednesday's effort is a promising sign that he could make a major impact for the Padres -- and fantasy managers -- this season.

Garcia pitched three innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game versus Toronto, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out a pair.

Garcia struggled with his command and was stung by a pair of homers in his worst outing so far this spring. It couldn't have come at a worse time for the right-hander as he appears to be falling behind Domingo German in the battle for the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation. Though Garcia has shown well overall with a 3.86 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 14.0 innings, German has dominated with nine scoreless frames and a 13:1 K:BB.

An independent arbiter ruled Wednesday that the Angels are to be granted another option year on Peters, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

According to the ruling, Peters' 1.2 innings of big-league action during the abbreviated 2020 campaign should not count toward one of his three option years. As such, the left-hander can be moved freely between the majors and the minors without being subjected to waivers if he is placed back on the 40-man roster at some point during the campaign. Peters is expected to open the season in the minors.

The Angels were granted another option year on Barria by an independent arbiter Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The arbiter's ruling indicated that last year's abbreviated campaign should not count toward one of Barria's three option years. The decision is significant in that it gives the team valuable roster flexibility. The right-hander can now be moved freely between the minors and majors without being subjected to waivers, which increases the likelihood that he will open the campaign at the Angels' alternate training site.

Hearn will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has made five appearances in spring training and given up five earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and six walks over 10.2 innings. Hearn's exact role remains unclear, as the Rangers have floated the idea of utilizing tandem starters at the back end of the rotation, but he'll at least have a spot on the major-league roster.

Anderson began dealing with right elbow tightness last week and was throwing about 90-91 mph Wednesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The elbow issue apparently first surfaced March 17 and led the 30-year-old to take a few days off. He returned to game action Wednesday throwing about four ticks below his usual fastball velocity. Anderson wasn't throwing at max effort, but manager Kevin Cash still admitted "there's a level of concern." The team plans to see how the right-hander looks Thursday, and he could undergo further evaluation if the elbow remains an issue.

Palumbo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old dealt with some back spasms and appeared in only two Cactus League games since making his debut March 4. Palumbo should open the season as a member of Round Rock's starting rotation.