MLB Player News

Taylor may be considered for a spot on the Astros' expanded roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Taylor was a longshot to make the roster during spring training before he was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, but as one of the few left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster, he's on the radar for the 30-man active roster when baseball kicks off in late July. Taylor, who was acquired from the Mets over the winter, has little experience above Double-A, but he made an impression this spring when he struck out seven and walked five over seven scoreless innings.

Mengden, who underwent late-February arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow, is now considered to be fully healthy for the upcoming start of the team's summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander had already assessed that he was close to full health by late May, which was further validated by the fact he'd been able to resume throwing bullpen sessions at that point. The subsequent month has resulted in Mengden's elbow getting back to 100 percent, and his experience and versatility could be particularly valuable in the uniquely formatted 2020 regular season. The 27-year-old could realistically handle both spot starts and long-relief appearances while helping ensure the team's front-line arms aren't prematurely taxed, particularly early in the shortened season.

Clase's suspension will be completed if MLB plays an entire 60-game season in 2020, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Clase was initially slated to serve an 80-game suspension after testing positive for the PED Boldenone, but the suspension won't carry over to 2021 if the league plays their entire 60-game regular season. If the season gets interrupted, negotiations would likely need to reopen in order to determine a timetable for the suspension.

Palumbo and Kolby Allard will be the first wave of depth starters for the Rangers, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Nothing changes for Palumbo, a left-hander who was assigned to Triple-A Nashville back in March. He was always on the list of names if the Rangers needed a fill-in or spot starter, even if the season had been a normal one. The only decision left is whether Palumbo will be on the expanded roster or part of Texas' taxi squad.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said Wednesday that McHugh (elbow) is "doing well" and could potentially be ready for the start of the shortened season, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

The 33-year-old hadn't begun his throwing program when MLB suspended spring training he March, but he did start back up in April. Bloom avoided committing to an official timetable, but more information should be available once players are cleared to resume workouts next week. McHugh made 35 appearances (eight starts) for Houston in 2019 and posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 82:30 K:BB over 74.2 innings, and it remains to be seen what role he fills for the Red Sox, especially given the extenuating circumstances of the 2020 season.

Chavez (elbow) is expected to be ready for Opening Day, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

This is not exactly earth-shattering news -- after all, Chavez was projected for a mid-May return before the shutdown -- but it's nice to get confirmation that he has not experienced any setbacks in recent months. The veteran's overall numbers from last year are ugly, though he was pitching quite well with a 3.30 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in the first half before the elbow issue popped up. He will likely pitch exclusively in relief this season.

Adams is back at 100 percent after undergoing knee surgery over the offseason, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Adams likely would have missed an on-time start to the season while completing the recovery from his knee procedure, but with subsequent delays, it turns out he will not miss any action at all. He pitched well for the Mariners last year, posting a 3.77 ERA over 29 outings, so chances are he will be on the roster when the regular season gets underway.

Rodriguez (lat) will not be ready for Opening Day, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The lefty is slated to play a significant role in the Texas bullpen after making the jump back to affiliated baseball this season. He had a 1.64 ERA in 64 appearances for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japan Central League last season. While the unfortunate timing of this strained lat muscle means he won't be ready for the July 23/24 opener, the Rangers are optimistic that Rodriguez will be ready to go shortly thereafter.

Tigers general manager Al Avila said Wednesday that Fulmer (elbow) has been cleared for full baseball activities and will be included on Detroit's 60-man roster when the MLB season resumes in late July, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Back in spring training, the Tigers placed Fulmer on the 60-day injured list with the knowledge that his recovery from his March 2019 Tommy John surgery would extend through at least late May. The right-hander has been able to advance through a throwing program without incident in the three-plus months since the league-wide shutdown, with Avila noting that Fulmer has been able to pitch in simulated games of up to three innings, per Jason Beck of MLB.com. The Tigers will still have to formally activate Fulmer from the IL, but the expanded roster from 40 men to 60 should make that transaction merely a procedural one. Detroit is still likely to monitor the 27-year-old's workload carefully coming off a major surgery, but expect the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year to immediately reclaim a spot in the Tigers' Opening Day rotation. In his last season in 2018, Fulmer posted a 4.69 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 110:46 K:BB over 132.1 innings.

Anderson was able to get long-toss work in at Tropicana Field on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Anderson was joined by bullpen mates such as Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo at the Trop for some informal, small-group workouts. The hard-throwing right-hander had high expectations for the 2020 season in spring training; however, with what appears to be a modest 60-game campaign realistically on the horizon as of late Monday night, Anderson may share closing duties frequently with Alvarado and perhaps even Castillo depending on how manager Kevin Cash opts to manage his relievers under the unique circumstances.