MLB Player News

Tapia (oblique) threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Friday afternoon and consistently kept his fastball in the 97-98 mph range, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The encouraging outing marked Tapia's first appearance since straining his oblique March 8. The amount of time the right-hander has missed has likely eliminated any chance of making the Opening Day roster. Tapia, who posted a 2.08 ERA across 4.1 innings in his first five big-league appearances with the Red Sox last season, could definitely log time in the majors at some point in the 2021 campaign.

Akin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Akin started six games for the Orioles last year but will begin the 2021 campaign in the minors. The southpaw made four appearances (two starts) for Baltimore this spring and allowed 10 runs on 15 hits and seven walks while striking out 14 in nine innings.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Garcia was competing for a rotation spot with Domingo German this spring, but it appears as though German will begin the season as the Yankees' fifth starter. Garcia had some issues with his command this spring and allowed seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits and eight walks while striking out 14 in 14 innings. He'll attempt to sort things out with the Triple-A club but could return to the majors at some point in 2021.

Scrubb is dealing with minor fatigue in his right shoulder but returned to throwing Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the past week by the shoulder fatigue, but there don't appear to be any structural issues and he's now progressing toward his return. Scrubb isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day but shouldn't face an extended absence.

Anderson (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The move was an expected one, as it was previously reported that Anderson's partially torn elbow ligament would keep him out past the midpoint of the season. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Rays to add Andrew Kittredge.

Kittredge was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 31-year-old re-signed with the Rays on a minor-league deal during the offseason, but he'll join the 40-man roster with Nick Anderson (elbow) landing on the 60-day injured list. Kittredge gave up two runs over eight innings last season and had a 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB over 49.2 innings for Tampa Bay during 2019.

Hendriks will pitch for the first time in nine days Friday against the Brewers after dealing with kidney stones, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The medical scare threw off Hendriks' preseason preparation, but he should still be ready to go by Opening Day. His delayed buildup may mean the White Sox avoid using him on back-to-back days at the start of the regular season, but it shouldn't significantly impact his campaign.

Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The 24-year-old was competing for a spot in the bullpen to start the season, and he had a strong spring training with one run allowed and an 8:0 K:BB over five innings. Nelson still figures to be in the mix this season as Cleveland shuffles its bullpen pieces.

Anderson expects to try a platelet-rich plasma injection or stem cell treatment to address his partially torn elbow ligament, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Anderson's elbow woes are expected to keep him out until after the All-Star break. He's not planning on undergoing surgery at this point, though the aforementioned treatments don't have a 100 percent success rate, so he may be forced to change his plans eventually. Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks look like the top ninth-inning options in his absence, though the Rays are famously creative with their pitchers' roles, so it's always possible someone else enters the picture.

Fulmer will open the season as a reliever for the Tigers, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old was competing for a spot at the back end of Detroit's starting rotation, but he'll instead open the season in the bullpen. Fulmer has exclusively operated as a starter during his four years in the big leagues, but he's now set to serve in a multi-inning role as a reliever.