MLB Player News

Fulmer departed spring training following the birth of his second child Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer was expected to start Monday's Grapefruit League game, but he'll no longer do so after leaving spring training. Kyle Funkhouser will start in his place Monday, but Fulmer will presumably rejoin the team in the coming days and should still have plenty of time to prepare for the regular season.

Hernandez will start the Rangers' fourth spring game Wednesday against the Angels, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez is not on the radar as a starter, so the decision to have him open a Cactus League game carries little significance. He's expected to serve a key role at the back end of the bullpen, possibly even as the closer.

Raley has prepared during the offseason to fill an inning-eater role out of Houston's bullpen, Ryan Herrera of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Raley was one of several pitchers to come out of nowhere and serve as bullpen pieces for the Astros last season. Unlike the others, who were young pitchers making their MLB debuts, Raley was in his 30s and spent most of his career pitching in leagues around the world. He became a trusted member of the 'pen and made six relief appearances during the postseason.

King is slated to take the mound for the Yankees' first spring training game against Toronto on Sunday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

King is among a group of pitchers manager Aaron Boone mentioned as being in competition for the fifth-starter job, and he'll have a chance to showcase his stuff immediately against the Blue Jays. The right-hander struggled mightily in 26.2 big-league innings last season, so he'll likely need to dominate during spring training to claim a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

Fleming focused on improving both his cutter and curveball this offseason and is looking forward to working in multiple roles again if asked, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "I'm excited for whatever role they put me in, whether it's starting, whether it's coming out of the bullpen," Fleming said. "Whatever it is, I'm ready for it."

Manager Kevin Cash remarked Friday that the southpaw "competes as well as anybody in the organization." Fleming was impressive working in a starting/bulk-reliever role in 2020, finishing the campaign with a 5-0 record, 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across seven appearances (five starts). Given the premium Cash places on flexibility with his pitching staff, Fleming is aiming to make himself even more useful by enhancing his pitch arsenal and is looking to break camp once again serving as a jack-of-all-trades during the coming season, with potential starting opportunities in play given the turnover in the Rays rotation this offseason.

Chavez signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The veteran right-hander posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 95 innings for the Rangers over the past two seasons, but he'll receive a chance to showcase himself in camp with the Angels. Chavez had a 2.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 92:17 K:BB over 95.1 innings during 2018 and should be able to earn a roster spot if able to recapture that form.

Hearn will be stretched out this spring, but he does not yet have a defined role, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers still view Hearn as a starter long term, but he was used out of the bullpen in 2020. The left-hander had a 3.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 23 and walking 11 over 17.1 relief innings last season and looks to be used in a similar fashion in 2021.

Puk could face hitters in live batting practice "pretty soon" according to manager Bob Melvin, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The big lefty has already looked good in his early bullpen sessions as he rounds back into shape following another injury-marred season in 2020. Melvin's proclamation supports the notion Puk hasn't suffered any setbacks with his activity level thus far, and it therefore appears likely the team will test him by elevating him to live hitters soon.

Manaea is already looking more confident and efficient with his pre-delivery movement during early bullpen sessions after some targeted offseason training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw went into the offseason with some momentum after going 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA over his final seven regular-season starts, and he got right to improving certain physical and mental aspects of his game. Manaea worked with a trainer on improving mobility and durability that strengthened his internal abductors, leading to what appears to be improved mechanics. The 29-year-old also put in time with mental performance coach and former college teammate Tyler Pazik to sharpen his confidence and killer instinct on the mound, a resource he plans to continue availing himself of during the regular season.

Fulmer will start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer will be making his first spring training start since 2019, as he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery this time last year. The Tigers handled the 27-year-old very cautiously in his return from the surgery, but perhaps he's allowed to take on an increased workload in 2021.