MLB Player News

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.

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

Tampa Bay sent all of Banda, Trevor Richards and Brendan McKay to their minor-league camp, seemingly leaving Jalen Beeks in good shape to make the Opening Day roster as a long reliever. Banda should occupy a spot in the Triple-A rotation to begin the campagin.

Karinchak had a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB in 5.2 innings during spring training.

The walk rate in that small sample is mildly concerning, but it's easy to get away with that many free passes when you strike out almost two batters per inning. He was voted by his teammates as the most impressive player in camp earlier in the spring, according to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, and appears poised to work as the team's setup man when the season gets underway.

Staumont impressed the big-league coaching staff by striking out 10 while allowing zero earned runs in six spring innings, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

He gave up four hits and three walks -- the walks have long been what has held Staumont back. Flanagan suggests that Staumont's spring performance may have secured him the eighth spot in the big-league bullpen. His control will probably always be a weakness, but Staumont has some of the best pure stuff among the Royals' relievers.

Barlow's spot in the big-league bullpen was safe when camp was suspended, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

He allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out four in 5.1 innings this spring. Flanagan referred to Barlow and Tim Hill as the Royals' setup men behind closer Ian Kennedy, although that doesn't mean one of them would be next up if the closer's role was all of a sudden up for grabs.