MLB Player News

Lopez appeared ticketed for a swingman role when camp was suspended, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Flanagan suggests that Lopez would have opened the year as a long reliever while staying stretched out so that he could enter the rotation as needed. Prospect Brady Singer had emerged as a dark horse candidate to win the fifth starter's spot. Lopez had a 4.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings this spring.

Banda isn't one of the relievers projected to nab an Opening Day roster spot according to a list compiled by Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

Toribio breaks down the job battles that were still ongoing when spring training was suspended, and Banda's name is not among the relievers he considers locks for an Opening Day roster spot. As per Toribio, the Rays are likely to leverage the new expanded 26-man roster to carry an additional pitcher, but he projects Peter Fairbanks, Jalen Beeks or Trevor Richards as the likeliest candidates for that opening. Banda did put together a strong spring, however, as he posted a 3.38 ERA across eight innings over six Grapefruit League relief appearances. The 26-year-old southpaw is likely to open the 2020 campaign in what will be his third tour of duty with Triple-A Durham, but after having logged six big-league appearances over the last two seasons, he likely has a strong chance of being one of the first pitchers promoted in the regular season if he carries over his momentum from spring training.

Poche is considered a "lock" to make the Opening Day roster spot despite an inconsistent spring, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Poche generated an unsightly 7.94 ERA across 5.2 innings over six Grapefruit League appearances, but both his solid 2019 and his handedness contribute to his job security ahead of the 2020 campaign. The southpaw posted 17 holds, two saves and an impressive 72:19 K:BB over 51.2 innings for the Rays last season while logging 51 appearances overall. Poche should once again be ticketed for plenty of middle-to-later-inning relief work in the coming season, as manager Kevin Cash attempts to leverage the effectiveness the 26-year-old demonstrated against both right-handed (.190 BAA) and left-handed (.167 BAA) hitters last season.

Kowar, who was reassigned to minor-league camp, impressed the Royals with his fastball velocity this spring, reportedly hitting 98 mph, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

This is a notable development for the 6-foot-5 righty. "I didn't think he was going to be a 97-, 98-, 99-mph guy," said Jim Buckley, a Giants scout who signed Kowar when Buckley was with the Royals. "That wasn't something we thought he was going to be. We thought the fastball would play up off the changeup because it's such a good pitch, but (not like this)." Kowar had a projectable frame when he was drafted, and it seems he has reached that projection. The big focus in camp and going forward will be the development of his curveball, as his changeup is a 70-grade pitch at its best. Kowar gave up two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three in 3.1 innings before getting sent to minors camp. He could open the year at Triple-A and should reach the majors in 2021 at the latest.

Hendriks generated a 3.60 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across five innings over five appearances during Cactus League play.

The Athletics' closer was solid in spring training, and even with the suspension of play, he was able to get a good amount of work in. Hendriks focused on some delivery tweaks this offseason, and Chris Haft of MLB.com reports the veteran remains as hungry as ever to prove he's worthy of the ninth-inning job despite the fact he currently has a secure grip on it. "I don't want that role given to me," Hendriks said of the closer's label. "I want to earn it. I want to work for it. My personality type, I need to know that I'm working for something. Rather than being given something and getting complacent with it. I need to prove to everybody that I want this role, I want the job and I'm going to take it."

Thornton is still penciled into the No. 5 starter spot when the regular season begins.

The right-hander hadn't been overly impressive when spring training was put on pause, posting a 4.22 ERA and 6:5 K:BB through 10.2 innings, but Thornton's main competition for the job, Shun Yamaguchi, had served up five homers in nine innings to all but take himself out of the running. Depending on when MLB is able to resume, Thornton's biggest threat to his rotation spot could end up coming from top prospect Nate Pearson if the Jays decide they need their best options available in the majors.

Hand is expected to lean heavily on his slider in 2020 out of the closer's role, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Hand secured 34 saves (five blown saves) in 2019 over 57.1 innings, fanning 84 batters while registering a 3.30 ERA over that stretch. Per Hoynes, Hand threw 512 of 946 pitches for sliders a season ago, and that's not expected to change in 2020. He'll have the closer's role locked down whenever the season begins.

Fulmer should be able to continue his rehab work while the MLB season is delayed and is likely still on track for a return to the majors after midseason, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

While team activities are significantly hampered by the coronavirus, most of Fulmer's rehab work is solo, meaning he should be able to make progress during the delay. The 27-year-old has yet to resume throwing at maximum effort, but the Tigers have no reason to rush him at this point. He will likely continue to slowly ramp up his throwing program at the team's spring facility in the absence of any games.

Jimenez posted a 1.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP to go along with five strikeouts across six innings this spring.

Jimenez looked sharp in the small Grapefruit League sample and will be Detroit's unquestioned closer whenever the 2020 regular season is able to begin. Any closer has value in fantasy, but Jimenez's struggles in 2019 (five blown saves in 14 opportunities) along with his team context make him a bit of a risky pick compared to other end-game options.

Richards could be part of a revolving group of "sixth starters" during the regular season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Topkin adds Jalen Beeks and Brendan McKay as two other members of the staff that could fill similar roles in 2020 as the Rays look to manage the workloads of top three starters Charlie Morton, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow carefully. The Rays reportedly may not use as many "bullpen days" as they have the last two seasons, either, but Richards will still likely be deployed in traditional long relief frequently due to the ability to effectively pitch multiple innings he's demonstrated over 48 career big-league starts, with three of those having come last season with the Rays after his arrival via trade from the Marlins. Richards did have a rough spring, however, posting a 7.04 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 7.2 innings over five Grapefruit League appearances (one start).