MLB Player News

Manaea has been named the starter for Monday's exhibition game against the Giants, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea is arguably considered a co-ace of the staff alongside the hard-throwing Frankie Montas, but this news furthers the notion the latter will get the Opening Night call next Friday against the Angels. Manaea will tune up for what is likely a start in the second game of the season July 25 by opening Monday evening's exhibition at the Oakland Coliseum, although Melvin emphasized "things could change leading up" to next week.

Graveman hit 97 mph with a new four-seam fastball during Wednesday's intrasquad start, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "Honestly throughout this quarantine is when I figured out the four-seam," he said. "I've been working hard on it. I was pitching in some pickup games before I got here and one day in the bullpen it felt right and I just held onto that feeling, and I have been trying really hard to repeat that in my throwing programs and being really intentional with that."

The veteran right-hander has a well-earned reputation as a groundball pitcher, but Graveman's sudden velocity could add a new dimension to his arsenal six seasons into his big-league career. The 29-year-old cruised through two scoreless innings Wednesday before getting out of a jam in the third with just one run crossing the plate. Graveman feels the four-seamer will open up more of the strike zone for him and also make his trademark sinker, which he still plans on utilizing heavily, all the more effective.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Richards, Ryan Yarbrough and Charlie Morton would be able to throw five-plus innings at the start of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 27-year-old seemed to be headed toward a versatile bullpen role this season, but it appears he's in line to step into the rotation with Yonny Chirinos (undisclosed) absent from camp. Richards had a 4.06 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 30 appearances (23 starts) between the Marlins and Rays last season, though he allowed only five runs over 23.1 innings after being traded to Tampa Bay at the deadline.

Texas manager Chris Woodward informed Hernandez that will be part of the Opening Day lineup, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez, who has nine games of MLB experience, was not expected to break camp with the Rangers in spring training, but now -- due to a number of relievers being out -- Woodward is considering the young right-hander for high-leverage work in 2020. "We may not have the luxury of easing into things," Woodward said. "With a number of guys down, do I feel comfortable with him in a [significant] role? I do. I've loved what I've seen. I've loved his mentality. I can't wait to put him in a situation like that." Hernandez has been a star in camp, allowing just one run in six innings on five hits and one walk while striking out nine, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. That comes after similar dominance in spring training when he struck out 13 over nine innings.

Palumbo pitched three scoreless inning of relief during Thursday's intrasquad game, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four.

Palumbo is considered part of the rotation depth, but the left-hander was deployed as a reliever Thursday. That's due to Texas being down a couple of left-handers in the bullpen -- Joely Rodriguez (lat) and Brett Martin (illness). "Obviously that was super-impressive," manager Chris Woodward said. "The fastball was coming in hot. The curve and slider were really good. It was impressive." It's unclear if this means Palumbo will be used as a reliever immediately. The Rangers are still evaluating No. 5 starter Jordan Lyles, who may not be part of the first turn through the rotation.

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.