MLB Player News

Mengden (elbow) worked with pitching coach Scott Emerson on modifying his delivery during the recent shutdown, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I've been trying to shorten up my arm action just a little bit," Mengden said. "I felt weird last year. I'm trying to be a little more fluid with not as much movement back and forward. Trying to keep everything smooth and repeatable."

The right-hander has previously utilized multiple pumps during his windup, but due to some of the inconsistencies that may have produced, Mengden has opted to eliminate some of the extra movement as well as a slide step. The intent of the change is to allow Mengden to work quicker and keep his release point steady, both of which have been issues at times in the past. The early returns have been encouraging, with Mengden looking sharp in simulated games and teammate Matt Olson praising the pitcher's curveball, movement and command.

Curtiss has been impressive in summer camp and struck out the side during his one inning in Thursday's intrasquad game, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been operating high in the zone with an explosive fastball during summer camp, following an impressive Grapefruit League stint during which he fired seven scoreless, two-hit innings. Curtiss was hit hard in two of his first three big-league stints with the Twins, but manager Kevin Cash noted Thursday that he expects the 27-year-old is "going to help us at some point this season, for sure."

Bolanos (ribs) was traded to the Royals along with Franchy Cordero in return for Tim Hill on Thursday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Bolanos will need to make a positive first impression on the Kansas City coaching staff in order to find a way onto the major-league roster to begin the season. The 23-year-old dealt with ribcage soreness in the spring, and realistically he probably needs more time to continue his development before being worthy of pitching in a big-league rotation. Bolanos posted a 5.95 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB across 19.2 innings with the Padres in 2019.

Loup was added to the Tampa Bay 40-man roster Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Networkreports.

Austin Meadows was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move after testing positive for COVID-19. Loup has been trending towards earning an Opening Day roster spot ever since posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.43 WHIP over four Grapefruit League appearances earlier this spring. The veteran southpaw missed almost the entire 2019 season due to a left elbow strain. He currently sports a solid career 3.57 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across eight major-league seasons.

Rosa was reassigned to the Yankees' alternate camp Thursday.

Rosa spent most of the 2019 season in the minors, notching a combined 4.18 ERA and 88:33 K:BB across 103.1 innings between Double- and Triple-A. He figures to serve as organizational pitching depth in 2020.

Andriese will open the season as the Angels' fifth starter, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Manager Joe Maddon announced the decision Wednesday. Andriese's spot in the rotation is presumably tied to the continued absence of Julio Teheran, though given Maddon's likely use of a six-man rotation this season, Andriese could stick as a starter even after Teheran returns. In 49 career starts, Andriese has posted a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 202:63 K:BB over 236.2 innings.

The Blue Jays are expected to use Giles "a lot" during the abbreviated 2020 season, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Entering his second full season in Toronto, Giles is locked in as Toronto's closer after a dominant 2019 campaign in which he posted a 1.87 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 83:17 K:BB while converting 23 of 24 save chances over his 53 innings. Giles excelled in spite of recurring bouts with right elbow soreness, an injury that played a major factor in him staying put when the 2019 trade deadline passed. With Giles set to become an unrestricted free agent this winter, Toronto is expected to make ample use of their best reliever in 2020, either to maximize its chances of making a surprise playoff push in the compressed 60-game season or to showcase him to more competitive clubs ahead of the Aug. 31 trade deadline. There could be some risk of GIles losing out on a closing role if he's dealt to another team, which probably makes him a more ideal No. 2 closer than a No. 1 option in most fantasy leagues.

Blach underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Blach experienced elbow soreness earlier in the month and ultimately opted for surgery after receiving a pair of opinions. The southpaw is set to all of the 2020 season and likely a good chunk of the 2021 campaign while recovering.

Tate (forearm) remains day-to-day with swelling in his right elbow, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Tate has been limited since being hit by a line drive in Friday's intrasquad game, and he's still being brought along slowly with swelling in his right elbow. He underwent an MRI on Saturday that came back negative, but the team is still proceeding with caution.

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB Network Radio on Thursday that he expects Norris (illness) to rejoin the team for workouts this weekend or early next week, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Norris hasn't been present at the Tigers' summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19 during the intake process and subsequently landing on the injured list. The southpaw looks like he'll be on track to rejoin the Tigers before their season begins July 24, but because of the lack of training time he had beforehand, he'll presumably be excluded from the 30-man Opening Day roster. Once Norris has been able to build up his arm through bullpen sessions and simulated games, he could be a candidate to fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation.