MLB Player News

Hearn could be kept on an expanded roster when the MLB season begins, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports. Reports indicate that rosters may expand up to 30 players.

As MLB and the players' union iron out details for an abbreviated season, Rangers pitching coach Julio Rangel is thinking about his staff. The plan calls for starters to build up to 75-to-80 pitches during a mini-spring training. Rangel said starters may not go deep into games early, so support will be needed in the form of multi-inning relievers. "Once the season starts, we might not let them go as deep just to make sure the guys are getting back into shape, feeling good, and bouncing back well from outing to outing. Once we see that and they are able to get at least two or three outings where they get through five [innings] and 90 pitches, then we'll start letting them go a bit and go from there," said the pitching coach. In that event, the left-handed Hearn, along with righties Jonathan Hernandez and Luke Farrell, could be featured prominently.

Mengden (elbow) told Brodie Brazil of NBC Sports Bay Area last week that he's "about 95 percent" healthy and has resumed throwing all of his pitches in bullpen sessions.

Mengden was placed on the 60-day injured list in mid-February after requiring arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, which marked the third time he went under the knife during the offseason after he previously required a pair of procedures to address a digestive issue. Though Mengden was initially in line to miss at least the first month or two of the season, the league's ongoing hiatus has allowed him to make a near full recovery without having to miss any actual games. Even if he had entered spring training healthy, Mengden was expected to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, so he may have to settle for a long-relief role if Oakland decides to activate him from the IL when the season resumes.

Ramirez was one of several players present for the re-start of workouts at the Mariners' spring facility in Peoria, Arizona on Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander was able to play catch and get some cardio work in under staff supervision, and he and his fellow pitchers will eventually be able to throw off a bullpen mound. Ramirez was still trying to work out some kinks when spring training was suspended, as he'd pitched to a 12.27 ERA across his four Cactus League appearances. He was still considered to be in contention for a bullpen spot, however, and the expanded rosters expected to be part of any abbreviated 2020 season likely up his chances of sticking with the Mariners.

Honeywell, who underwent a decompression procedure on his right elbow Wednesday, is reportedly in good spirits and aiming to throw off a mound by fall, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander has now undergone three different operations on his throwing elbow since last appearing in a game back in September 2017. While that is undeniably discouraging, Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who'd been reviewing video of the multiple bullpen sessions Honeywell was throwing weekly during the current shutdown, reported on a Zoom media call Friday that Honeywell's attitude following the latest setback has been nothing but positive. Snyder added Honeywell's focus in the immediate future will be regaining range of motion, extension and strength while aiming for a return in 2021. "I'm hopeful, as much as anything, this will be the last hiccup that he's going to have to go through," Snyder said. "He's been through a lot, and he's certainly worked his tail off to get back to where he is.''

Alvarado is one of several Rays players with plenty to prove in 2020, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The hard-throwing left-hander had a largely forgettable 2019 campaign that included a multi-week absence to tend to his ailing mother in Venezuela. The bulk of Alvarado's struggles came during the latter part of the season, as he posted a 9.95 ERA over his last 17 appearances. Alvarado did enter spring with a much clearer mind because he was able to move his parents to the United States during the offseason, and he certainly has the tools for a resurgence in the form of a 98 mph fastball, along with a cutter, sinker and curveball. However, it's worth noting the 25-year-old also endured a rocky Grapefruit League stint before play was paused, as he posted an 8.31 ERA and walked four batters over 4.1 innings across five appearances. He projects to primarily return to a setup role in an abbreviated 2020 season.

Speas has recovered from Tommy John elbow surgery and will have no restrictions in 2020, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Speas emerged from rehab this spring throwing 102 MPH, which concerned the Rangers that he was coming out too hot. They shut him down for a stretch, but the 22-year-old right-hander will face no restrictions. The Rangers had hoped he'd move quickly through the system. It's unclear if Speas will be part of the proposed taxi squad teams may be allowed to carry during an abbreviated season.

Garcia could begin a potential 2020 season on the Yankees' taxi squad, Peter Gammons of The Athletic reports.

With the minor-league season in jeopardy, the Yankees may elect to place Garcia on the taxi squad in order to aid his development. The 21-year-old was once considered a candidate to open the season in the Yankees' rotation, but he struggled in Grapefruit League play and was optioned to Double-A Trenton in late March.

Yarbrough, whom the Rays have seemed hesitant to anoint a full-fledged member of the rotation in the past, will likely have an enhanced opportunity for regular starts during an abbreviated 2020 season, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The southpaw fought through some adversity in 2019 to put together a solid season, one that saw him reach double-digit wins (11) for the second time in as many big-league campaigns and also finish third in WHIP (1.00) in the AL behind only Justin Verlander (0.80) and Gerrit Cole (0.89). Yarbrough was also a versatile workhorse for manager Kevin Cash, as the 28-year-old's 141.2 innings were second only to Charlie Morton's 194.2 on the Rays. Yarbrough ultimately logged 28 appearances despite being sent down to Triple-A Durham on three occasions last season, but Cash still hadn't fully committed to him as a regular starter before spring training was suspended. However, the fact the Rays had already planned on deploying a "bullpen day" strategy much less frequently in 2020 -- and that they now may look to manage starter's workloads more carefully due to an abbreviated ramp-up period to a shortened season -- both figure to solidify Yarbrough's chances of becoming a full-fledged member of the rotation.

King is a candidate to begin the campaign on the Yankees' taxi squad if a 2020 season takes place, Peter Gammons of The Athletic reports.

King was optioned to the minors in late March after struggling through his final two Grapefruit League starts. He was once considered an option for a backend rotation spot to open the season, but his struggles -- and James Paxton's return to health during the hiatus -- has all but eliminated that possibility. While King could still make the active big-league roster in an abbreviated 2020 season, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake named the right-hander among a trio of pitchers who could instead break camp on the taxi squad.

Abreu could potentially be part of the Yankees' expanded roster should a 2020 season take place, Greg Johnson of The Trentonian reports.

While it is unlikely that Abreu would make the big-league roster to begin the campaign, he could be placed on the taxi squad, allowing the Yankees to call him up if the need for a bullpen arm emerges. Abreu has the arsenal to start, but command and control issues have led to speculation that he may be best suited to a relief role. That plan was briefly tested last season when the right-hander was transitioned to the bullpen for his final three appearances.