MLB Player News

Borucki (elbow) resumed throwing bullpen sessions in Florida last week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki has remained close to the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Dunedin to conduct his rehab since MLB suspended its season earlier this month. After being shut down with tightness and discomfort in his left elbow earlier in camp, Borucki seemed to be a virtual lock to open the season on the injured list, but MLB's suspension through at least mid-May has improved his chances of being ready to go when Opening Day arrives. Borucki will still need to advance to facing hitters in live batting practice sessions before the Blue Jays sign off on him pitching in games when the season resumes.

The Blue Jays still intend to let Pearson prove himself at Triple-A Buffalo before promoting him to the majors, which could push his big-league debut to 2021 if there isn't enough time in a shortened 2020 season for him to do so, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

"We have to make the decision on what we feel will be best for his development," general manager Ross Atkins said this week. "Rewinding to three weeks ago, we thought that would be starting the year [with Pearson] in Triple-A. I would say that we most likely will still feel that way, but there's still so much more to the equation and so much more information to come." While there's an argument to be made that the team's top pitching prospect should get called up sooner, as he could make a bigger impact in the standings during a shortened campaign, the Jays remain committed to his long-term development and won't speed up the process. Given how he looked this spring, Pearson could easily dominate the International League for a few weeks out of the gate before forcing his way into the Toronto rotation. Any struggles or setbacks, however, and he could miss his window to debut in 2020.

Robles has benefited from increased confidence and an ability to "be himself" since joining the Angels, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

"I don't think he was comfortable in his own skin in New York, for whatever reason. But he is comfortable now. You see the smile on his face. You see it in his delivery. The confidence is there," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who was Robles' manager with the Mets before joining the closer in Los Angeles prior to this season. Robles broke through with a solid campaign in his first season with the Angels in 2019, racking up 23 saves while posting a 2.48 ERA (2.88 FIP) and 75:16 K:BB across 72.2 innings. He'll open the season as the Angels' closer despite a rough spring during which he gave up three runs and seven hits in four innings while striking out six in Cactus League play.

Garcia was optioned to Double-A Trenton on Thursday.

It's little surprise that Garcia was sent to the minor leagues, especially after he surrendered six earned runs in 7.1 innings of Grapefruit League action. However, he also flashed upside in that same span, punching out eight batters and walking just two. Given that Garcia ended the 2019 season in Triple-A, his time in Trenton should be short-lived.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Heller dealt with a minor back injury early in camp and threw only 0.2 frames as a result. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, Heller threw 7.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Yankees in 2019 and should be a depth option for the club later this season.

King was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

King was expected to compete for a rotation spot given the injuries to Luis Severino (elbow) and James Paxton (back). However, he struggled in his last two appearances in Grapefruit League action and is now likely to start his season in the minors. King had a shortened 2019 season due to a stress reaction in his elbow, but did manage to make his major-league debut.

Karinchak was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

This move may prove to be procedural, as Karinchak appeared on track to open the season in a setup role after impressing during spring training (3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB in 5.2 innings). With the start of the season delayed, the well-regarded righty could still rejoin the Indians before play resumes.

Hearn was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Prior to the suspension of spring training, Hearn made four appearances and posted a 3.00 ERA, 0.833 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB in six innings. The southpaw has made just four starts at the Triple-A level, so he'll head there for more seasoning before likely returning to the majors at some point in 2020.

Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor has pitched a total of 11.1 innings at the Triple-A level, so he'll head back to the minors for more seasoning before potentially making his big-league debut in 2020. The southpaw didn't allow a run across seven innings before spring training was suspended, striking out seven batters while walking five.

The Rays optioned Richards to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Tampa Bay's decision to demote Richards and Anthony Banda to Triple-A likely puts Jalen Beeks in line to crack the Rays' Opening Day roster as a long man out of the bullpen. After coming over from the Marlins in a deadline deal last July, Richards made seven appearances for the Rays, posting a 1.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB in 23.1 innings.