MLB Player News

Duran was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Duran has an ability to generate groundballs at an elite clip (65.4 GB% at Low-A, 52.9 GB% at High-A, 63.3 GB% at Double-A since joining the Twins), which could make him an option in the bullpen this season, even though he'll likely begin the season at Minnesota's alternate training site.

Alcala was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Acala was sent to Triple-A shortly before spring training was shut down due to the pandemic. A hard-throwing righty whose fastball can touch triple digits, Acala could push to make the big league team with rosters expanded to 30 players for the first two weeks. He could be a frequent callup from Minnesota's alternative training site.

Coulombe was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Coulombe recorded no time in the majors in 2019, but he made 11 appearances at the Triple-A level, where he recorded a 4.50 ERA with a 64:19 K:BB over 38 innings. The southpaw has had some success in the big leagues in past seasons, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him appear in the Twins' bullpen at some point in 2020. He'll likely spend time with Minnesota's alternate training site unless the major league bullpen needs depth.

Thielbar was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

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. The lefty will likely spend most of his time with Minnesota's alternate training site unless the major league bullpen needs depth.

Gearrin was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

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'll compete for a final spot in the big league bullpen and could be an option with 30-man rosters to begin the season.

Garton was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Garton was a non-roster invitee to spring training after posting a 3.99 ERA and 10.6 K/9 between three different Triple-A teams last season. He'll likely spend time with Minnesota's alternate training site unless the major league bullpen needs depth.

Johnson was added to the Red Sox's 60-man player pool.

Johnson, who is not on the 40-man roster, is expected to land there eventually. He's been a regular on Boston's staff the last couple of seasons, serving as a starter and reliever, before he was exposed to waivers during the offseason. There were no takers, and he's back in a familiar spot -- caught somewhere between the rotation and the bullpen. With Chris Sale (elbow) out for the year and Collin McHugh's availability to start the regular season uncertain due to an elbow, Johnson could find himself as part of the rotation early on or at least serving as an opener. The left-hander is not overpowering and didn't fool many in 2019 when he posted a 6.02 ERA and 1.88 WHIP.

Mengden (elbow) is part of the 60-man player pool that will report to the Athletics' summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was recently declared to be fully healthy from his late-February arthroscopic elbow surgery, although he remains on the 60-day injured list for the moment. Mengden seemingly offers the type of versatility that would be especially coveted in a 2020 season that will have several unique aspects, and he'll have a chance to make his case for a spot on the expanded Opening Day roster over the three-plus weeks of summer camp.

Rodriguez will be part of the Angels' 60-man roster.

Rodriguez was outrighted off the 40-man roster in December, but the right-hander will still get an opportunity to break camp with the big-league club in the shortened season. He did see some success with the Angels in his first major-league appearances in 2019, posting a 2.75 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 19.2 innings. He'll provide bullpen depth in this shortened season.

Rodriguez will be part of the Angels' 60-man roster.

Rodriguez is one of the organization's best pitching prospects, but has yet to record time past the High-A level. He's dealt with back injuries for much of his career, most recently undergoing surgery in May of 2019. He was able to throw a bullpen session in mid-March and will now continue his throwing program with the big-league club. Nonetheless, it seems unlikely the right-hander will be ready for a significant workload at the highest level in 2020.