MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Honeywell (elbow) to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

Honeywell had yet to pitch for the Rays during the team's Grapefruit League slate, but he looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from a mid-December elbow procedure. He was cleared to face hitters in live batting practice over the weekend, so Honeywell could get the chance to test himself in a game setting before the end of the spring, as he'll still be eligible to pitch in the Grapefruit League even after his demotion. Considering that Honeywell hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since 2017 due to a slew of arm injuries, he'll likely need to stay healthy and pitch effectively at Triple-A Durham before the Rays consider adding him to the active roster.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Tuesday that Merryweather (back) should be ready to make his Grapefruit League debut soon, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Atkins also added that he envisions Merryweather filling a hybrid bullpen role, serving both as an opener and as a multi-inning reliever. Because Merryweather will need to more time to build up than a traditional one-inning reliever, he shouldn't be considered a lock for the Opening Day roster. That said, Merryweather likely won't be in store for a lengthy stay on the injured list if he fails to break camp with the big club, assuming he avoids any setbacks with his back once he's integrated into the spring pitching schedule.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that Pearson suffered a "mild re-aggravation of his right groin" injury while throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Toronto is labeling Pearson as day-to-day, but the setback effectively eliminates any hope he had of making the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster. With Pearson out of the rotation for the time being, Atkins said that Ross Stripling "has a leg up" over Thomas Hatch and Anthony Kay for the fifth starter's role, according to Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star.

Pivetta allowed four hits, a walk and a run while striking out four over four innings in Monday's spring game against the Rays.

Pivetta had some early issues, giving up hits to the first two batters and a run in the first inning. After that, he worked around all the traffic encountered over the final three innings. Pivetta has pitched well during Grapefruit League play, allowing three runs in nine innings as he continues solidifying securing his spot in the rotation.

Mayers has gotten into four Cactus League games thus far, pitching three innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five.

In addition to giving up too many hits, Mayers was literally hit by a batted ball in early March, though he turned out to be fine despite having to leave that game. While the slow start to spring is mildly concerning, the right-hander figures to begin the campaign as one of the Angels' top setup options after posting a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 30 innings in 2020.

Iglesias is likely to pitch exclusively in save situations this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Manager Joe Maddon noted late last week that Iglesias could be used for multiple-inning saves in certain situations, but the veteran closer isn't expected to be used much in non-save situations. Iglesias has compiled 106 career saves and brings a level of stability to the back end of an Angels bullpen that ranked dead last in baseball with 14 blown saves last season.

Puk, who Martin Gallegos of MLB.com relayed Sunday could be a top candidate to open the season as the No. 5 starter, is likely to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday, Gallegos separately reports.

Puk threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and reportedly impressed with his velocity and a sharp breaking ball, and he's now in the midst of a three-day rest period. That lines him up for a potential spring debut against the Royals on Wednesday, an outing in which he'd begin the ramp-up process to potentially serve in the capacity of an opener or conventional starter early in the season if Mike Fiers (hip) is sidelined.

Hicks faced only the Mets' Lucas Guillorme in the right-hander's Grapefruit League debut Sunday, engaging in a 22-pitch sequence that culminated in a walk.

Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports the at-bat took 12 minutes and included six pitches of over 100 mph. It was Hicks' first taste of official game action since June 22, 2019, and while the original plan had been to deploy him for one inning Sunday, he was removed from the contest following the walk due to his pitch count.

Kelly (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Monday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kelly still hasn't been cleared to throw in a game situation, and while it's a good sign that he continues to ramp up, he still has a few more hurdles to clear, as Plunkett mentions. He is running out of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Strop has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game after being delayed by COVID-19 protocols, but he should be able to make his debut soon, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Strop had to isolate from the team after violating the league's health and safety protocols, so he's been unable to appear in a Cactus League game yet. The veteran reliever tossed a bullpen session Sunday and likely will do so again this week before getting into a game. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to get ready for a potential Opening Day roster spot. Strop is currently a non-roster invitee, so his role is certainly not secure, though he does have some goodwill with the Cubs based on his past performance.