MLB Player News

Pop topped out at 97.9 mph with his fastball, averaging 96.2 mph with the pitch, during a scoreless Grapefruit League appearance Thursday against the Cardinals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Rule 5 pick hasn't given up a run over three innings this spring with a 3:1 K:BB. The Marlins have a lot of options for their bullpen, but Pop has put himself firmly in the mix with his performance, and his fastball/slider combo could earn him a high-leverage role and potentially even ninth-inning work down the road given the team's unsettled closer situation. Expect the 24-year-old right-hander, who has yet to pitch above Double-A in his career, to be eased into high-pressure spots early in the season if he does make the big-league roster.

May has posted a 3.60 ERA and 5:1 K:BB through five Grapefruit League innings so far this spring.

The right-hander has looked good in the exhibition schedule to begin his tenure with the Mets. Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia have both struggled through the early part of March, and with Seth Lugo (elbow) expected to begin the season on the IL, May figures to be the team's primary setup man in front of closer Edwin Diaz.

Brasier (conditioning) isn't ready to pitch in games and is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after being a late arrival to spring training due to a personal matter, and he's still attempting to catch up to Boston's other relievers. The fact Brasier isn't returning from an injury could allow him to miss minimal time, even if he isn't quite ready for the start of the season.

Merryweather (back) is scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

General manager Ross Atkins said earlier in the week the 29-year-old was nearing his Grapefruit League debut, but the right-hander still needs to complete a simulated game. Merryweather is expected to operate as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen once healthy, and he could still be ready for Opening Day if cleared for game action after Sunday's outing.

Heuer earned a save Thursday, striking out three over two scoreless innings against the Royals.

Heuer has not allowed a run or walk over seven Cactus League innings. He was an effective member of the White Sox's bullpen in 2020 and is expected to return in 2021, likely in a middle-relief role. The 24-year-old right-hander has thrown two innings in each of his last two spring appearances.

Quijada has yet to report to camp as a result of visa issues in his native Venezuela, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The extended delay has cost Quijada a chance of competing for a bullpen spot this spring, and the left-hander is now likely to begin the season at the Angels' alternate training site. It is not yet clear when Quijada is expected to be able to join the team.

Strahm (knee) will be out past Opening Day, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Strahm is still recovering from the patellar tendon surgery he underwent on his right knee last October. Though there was initially hope that he'd be able to ramp up by Opening Day, it is now clear that the left-hander will need to miss the start of the campaign. When he does return to action, Strahm should immediately fill an important spot in a Padres bullpen that has already been reduced by injuries.

Morejon allowed two runs over 3.2 innings in Thursday's Cactus League contest versus Oakland, yielding four hits and two walks while striking out one. He is the "clear favorite" to grab the fifth starter role at the beginning of the campaign, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Morejon is among a group of pitchers vying for a rotation spot that is looking likely to open as a result of Dinelson Lamet's (elbow) probable absence at the start of the campaign. Morejon appears to have an inside track on the role thanks to a solid spring in which he has notched a 3.38 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The 22-year-old also has an advantage by virtue of already having started six games in his brief big-league career.

Fulmer could end up in Detroit's bullpen depending on which pitchers make the Opening Day roster, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Fulmer was exclusively a starter last season, though he never went beyond three innings in a start in his first year back after Tommy John surgery. However, the Tigers have a handful of options for the back of their rotation, including youngsters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, as well as non-roster invitee Julio Teheran. Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena also should be locked into rotation spots. Mize and Skubal could both start the season in the minors, but if they don't, Fulmer might get squeezed from the rotation to make room.

Pomeranz did not suffer any structural damage to his forearm, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz has been held out of game action since March 9 after feeling tightness in his left forearm. However, he appears to have dodged serious injury, and he hopes to retake the mound within the next few days.