MLB Player News

Cimber dealt with a side injury during spring training, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

He missed time early in camp due to tightness in his side, but returned to the mound before the hiatus. Cimber gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in four innings during Cactus League play. He was set to break camp as a middle reliever.

Mejia will open the year at Double-A Akron.

The 23-year-old righty missed a good chunk of last season with an abdominal injury, but he was pretty impressive when he pitched. Mejia logged a 2.11 FIP (4.09 ERA), 1.12 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 33 innings at High-A. He has a workhorse frame (6-foot-4, 240 pounds), good command of a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a couple breaking balls with plus potential.

Farmer did not allow a run across his four Grapefruit League innings while striking out five.

Farmer is expected to pitch the eighth inning when the regular season is able to begin, and he looked the part of a trusted reliever during spring training. Joe Jimenez has proven to be a bit shaky in the closer's role, so it's not unrealistic to think Farmer could overtake him at some point depending on how the two perform.

Cisnero allowed 11 runs (eight earned) across four Grapefruit League innings before MLB suspended spring training.

Cisnero entered the spring being talked about as a candidate to pitch in the seventh inning as a bridge to Buck Farmer and Joe Jimenez. That could still happen, but it wasn't an encouraging camp for the 30-year-old. Cisnero will have to pitch well to hold onto a significant role.

Soto will likely earn a spot in the Tigers' bullpen when the regular season is able to start, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It is generally expected that MLB teams will be allowed to have up to 30 players when the season begins, which only helps Soto's chances as teams will likely deepen their bullpens. The southpaw struggled as a starter in 2019 but showed flashes as a reliever, and he could end up as Detroit's main lefty out of the bullpen in 2020 if he pitches well.

Hernandez allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and four walks while striking over 13 over nine Cactus League innings.

Hernandez handled the transition from starter to reliever quite well. His mid-90s fastball gained a few ticks in the shorter relief outing, and he struck out 10.3 batters per nine innings in a late-season audition for Texas in 2019. The right-hander continued to pitch well over the winter and into spring training. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News speculates Hernandez will make the final roster, with the only question being how big a role he'll have in the bullpen.

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.