MLB Player News

Pruitt (elbow) was placed on the injured list Thursday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Pruitt is expected to miss the first week of the season while working his way back from elbow inflammation. Once healthy, the right-hander should factor into the backend of Houston's bullpen at some point in 2020.

The Tigers assigned Ramirez to their alternate training site Thursday.

Ramirez was believed to be in contention for the No. 5 spot in the rotation to begin the season, but Dario Agrazal ultimately beat him out for those duties. The Tigers would need to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ramirez in order for him to pitch for the big club in 2020.

The Tigers recalled Schreiber from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

The transaction reverses one from spring training, when Schreiber was optioned to Toledo shortly before MLB suspended its season. Schreiber earned his way on to the 30-man Opening Day roster after faring well in summer camp, but he likely won't be tasked with handling many high-leverage innings out of the Detroit bullpen.

Heller has been added to the Yankees' active roster.

Heller will open the season in New York's bullpen thanks to expanded rosters. The righty impressed across 7.1 innings with the big club last season, striking out nine while allowing just one run.

Gearrin did not make Minnesota's 30-man Opening Day roster, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Gearrin had an opt-out date in his contract as a non-roster invitee to training camp, but apparently has decided to stay with the Twins. After posting a 1.99 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with the Giants in 2017, Gearrin has struggled over the past two seasons, posting a 3.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 112.2 innings with five clubs over 2018 and 2019. He could be an option early in the season to be called up if there's an opening in the bullpen.

Johnson did not make the 30-man roster but will remain stretched out at the alternate training site, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

With Eduardo Rodriguez out indefinitely due to complications in his recovery from COVID-19, the Red Sox enter the season with very few established big-league starters. Johnson could join the rotation sometime soon, but the plan is for the team to use an opener as the fourth starter and one of Matt Hall or Jeffrey Springs as the fifth starter.

Thielbar did not make Minnesota's 30-man Opening Day roster, but is included on the three-man taxi squad that will travel with the team for the first series at the White Sox.

Thielbar has thrown all 98.2 of his major-league innings for the Twins, though none of those have come since 2015. He's since spent time in independent ball and in the minor-league systems of the Padres, Tigers and Braves. He'll likely be a frequent option on the taxi squad since he can be shuffled to and from the 40-man roster without the Twins fearing he'll be claimed by another team.

Alcala did not make Minnesota's 30-man Opening Day roster, but he is included on the three-man taxi squad that will travel with the team for the first series at the White Sox.

Alcala can be activated in an emergency from the taxi squad. While he's not likely to be used in the majors in the near term, this shows he's likely the next pitcher to be called up if there's an opening in the bullpen.

The Angels selected Milner's contract Thursday.

Milner will provide the Angels with another left-handed option in the team's season-opening 10-man bullpen. The 29-year-old has made 55 career big-league appearances, posting a 3.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.

Smeltzer has made Minnesota's 30-man Opening Day roster, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

With Homer Bailey winning the fifth starter role, Randy Dobnak, Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe will serve as long relievers to begin the season.