MLB Player News

Alexander will likely serve as a long reliever and possible spot starter for the Tigers when the MLB season is able to resume, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Eight of Alexander's 13 appearances for the Tigers last season came as a starter, so he has the ability to work multiple innings in a swing role. With MLB teams likely looking at a compacted schedule whenever the regular season is able to start, players like Alexander figure to be more valuable than usual, as there could be more doubleheaders and fewer days off compared to past seasons, which would put a strain on bullpens.

Kahnle held opponents scoreless over four innings in Grapefruit League play, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four.

Kahnle emerged as a key part of New York's bullpen last season, amassing 27 holds and registering a 35.5 percent strikeout rate. Armed with one of the premier changeups in baseball, Kahnle is capable of generating high strikeout numbers and could be first in line for save opportunities should Aroldis Chapman miss any period of time.

Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom said Monday that McHugh (elbow) has yet to begin a throwing program, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Before MLB suspended its season, the Red Sox were already preparing for McHugh to begin the year on the injured list while he recovered from the tenex procedure to his right elbow. McHugh had been cleared to resume throwing when he signed with the team March 5, but Boston has deliberately taken things slowly with him so far this spring. The veteran will likely start to ramp up once a firmer target date for Opening Day becomes available, and he should be a candidate to slide into a rotation spot for a Red Sox pitching staff that's severely lacking in starting depth.

Loup was making a strong push for a bullpen spot before spring training was suspended, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Topkin lists the veteran southpaw as part of a group which also includes Peter Fairbanks, Andrew Kittredge and Jalen Beeks that's competing for the final two spots on what's expected to be a 13-man pitching staff. Loup certainly made a strong case for himself during Grapefruit League play by posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.43 WHIP across 4.2 innings over five appearances. The 32-year-old brings a strong multi-season track record as a reliever, having posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 55 holds across eight major-league campaigns with the Blue Jays, Phillies and Padres.

Edwards is likely to secure an Opening Day roster spot in the Mariners' bullpen despite posting a 9.00 ERA across six Cactus League appearances before spring training was suspended, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander entered camp looking to redeem himself after a disastrous 2019 in which he generated an 8.47 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 22 appearances with the Cubs and Padres. Prior to that season-long hiccup, Edwards was one of baseball's most effective seventh- and eighth-inning options, posting sub-3.00 ERAs and a combined 48 holds during the 2017 and 2018 campaigns in Chicago. This spring, Edwards eliminated some tweaks he'd made to his delivery prior to last season that clearly proved ineffective; although those corrections haven't paid immediate dividends, the upside he offers based on his past body of work certainly boosts his job prospects.

King could return to the majors if MLB expands rosters at the start of the season, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

King struggled through a rough spring and was consequently optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. However, he was in competition for a spot in the starting rotation throughout training camp, making him a feasible option to rejoin the big-league club if rosters expand as is widely expected. Should King be called back up, he would likely be used in a long-relief and emergency starter role, per Kuty.

Heller could return from the minors if MLB decides to expand rosters at the start of the regular season, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. However, he may not open the season there if Major League Baseball opts to increase roster sizes to account for a shortened spring training. The decision would be made primarily to protect pitchers, so Heller would make sense as a callup since he was on the cusp of making the big-league roster before being sent down.

Loaisiga's spot in the starting rotation is in jeopardy due to the delayed start of the regular season, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Loaisiga was a near-lock for the fifth-starter role before play was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Opening Day pushed back indefinitely, James Paxton (back) may have enough time to return to health before the regular season commences. That would likely push Loaisiga out of the rotation, though Kuty speculates that the right-hander could end up in the bullpen, especially if MLB decides to expand rosters at the start of the campaigh.

Kittredge, who generated a 4.50 ERA across five Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was suspended, is likely to garner an Opening Day roster spot due to his versatility, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge was a true jack-of-all-trades asset for manager Kevin Cash last season, logging 37 appearances overall, including seven starts. The right-hander generated a respectable 4.17 ERA and impressive 58:12 K:BB across 49.2 innings, and the 30-year-old was being stretched out some this spring with an eye on having him work in a number of 2020 roles, including spot starter. Kittredge's chances were also likely helped by the recent optioning of Trevor Richards, a pitcher with a similar profile, to Triple-A Durham.

Espinal agreed to a minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Sunday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Espinal spent a majority of the 2019 season pitching for Double-A Frisco, posting a 5.84 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 49 strikeouts across 28 innings in relief. The 27-year-old spent limited time at the Triple-A level during both the 2017 and 2019 seasons. It has yet to be determined at what minor-league level Espinal will begin pitching with the Red Sox organization, but it is unlikely that the right-hander will be able to reach the big-league bullpen given that the 2020 season is expected to be shortened significantly.