MLB Player News

Alvarado is expected to work primarily as a setup man to begin the 2020 season with Nick Anderson "in line to get the bulk of the save opportunities" for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash hasn't formally named a closer nor outlined roles for the rest of the members of the bullpen, so the above quote is mostly informed speculation on Topkin's part. That said, Anderson was the Rays' most dominant reliever over the final two months last season and has enjoyed a solid spring, which likely keeps him ahead of Alvarado and Diego Castillo in the pecking order for saves. Alvarado could still see occasional use in save situations -- particularly against lefty-heavy lineups -- early on, but the Rays' main priority is likely just ensuring he stays healthy and re-emerges as a reliable late-inning arm coming off a rocky 2019 campaign. Alvarado went 4-for-4 in save chances and struck out 26 in his first 17.1 innings last season before melting down thereafter, finishing with a 4.80 ERA and 1.87 WHIP across 35 appearances while missing time due to oblique and elbow injuries in addition to a personal matter.

Anderson was "in line to get the bulk of the save opportunities" for the Rays this season before spring training was suspended, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's worth noting that the above quote is an observation from Topkin and not a comment from manager Kevin Cash, but the report is probably the clearest indication we'll get that Anderson is the top Rays reliever to own for fantasy purposes. Cash's tendency to play matchups in the ninth inning means that the likes of Diego Castillo and Jose Alvarado could still scoop the occasional save chance, though Anderson's presumed status as Option 1A for closing situations should help alleviate some of the reservations fantasy managers may have had in investing in him. Anderson didn't record a save after coming over from Miami in a July 31 trade last season, but he was arguably the majors' best reliever over the final two months, posting a ridiculous 45.5 K-BB% and 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings with the Rays.

Bass remains among the top options to set up for Jays closer Ken Giles when the regular season finally begins.

The veteran right-hander has turned his career around the last two seasons thanks to a spike in velocity -- Bass averaged a career-high 95.4 mph with his fastball in 2019. His sinker-slider arsenal doesn't generate many whiffs, but he could be the reliever called upon in high-leverage spots when the Jays need a double play rather than a strikeout. Bass recorded career highs in saves (five) and holds (six) last season, and while he probably won't match the former, he could reach double digits for the first time in the latter category.

Diekman, a southpaw who re-signed with the Athletics on a two-year, $7.5 million contract this offseason, is expected to frequently work against both right- and left-handed hitters this season, Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News reports. "There are times, especially for a guy like him, he just sees a clear lane against righties," manager Bob Melvin said. "And just sees the plate as opposed to throwing off the hitter."

Diekman arrived via trade from the Royals on July 27 last season and generated a 4.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 28 appearances. The southpaw was equally effective against batters of either handedness, holding both to a solid .303 wOBA and actually limiting right-handed bats to a lower batting average (.210) than he did same-handed hitters (.224). Melvin explains that Diekman's across-the-board effectiveness mainly stems from the fact he complements his mid-90s fastball with an extremely sharp breaking ball, a "biting slider" and a deceptive delivery. The 33-year-old could once again be an excellent source of holds, with Diekman having recorded a career-high 31 in 2019 and having produced double-digit tallies in that category in six of the last seven seasons.

Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles in late February, Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America reports.

The 30-year-old righty didn't appear in any games for the Orioles during the Grapefruit League slate before spring training concluded, so it appears his minor-league deal didn't include an invitation to big-league camp. Barnes, who last appeared in the majors in 2018 as a member of the Blue Jays, is expected to begin the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Norfolk.

Puk (shoulder) could have an opportunity to start the 2020 campaign in the starting rotation due to the significantly delayed start to the regular season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The towering left-hander appeared destined to start the regular season in the bullpen just over a week ago, but two subsequent postponements of the start of the regular season have exponentially increased his chances of opening the 2020 campaign as a starter. That had been the plan for Puk coming into spring training, and the No. 4 spot in the rotation seemingly awaits him if he's able to utilize the extra time now at his disposal to completely overcome the shoulder strain he's been dealing with.

Wittgren could be a candidate for saves if Brad Hand struggles, Joe Noga of Cleveland.com reports.

Hand will enter the season as the Indians' closer, but the team will need to have a backup plan in case his struggles from late in the 2019 campaign spill over into 2020. Wittgren would be among the candidates to claim the role, as James Karinchak has the arsenal for high-leverage work but lacks experience as a big-league closer while Emmanuel Clase (lat) is expected to be out until June. Wittgren recorded four saves and 12 holds for Cleveland last season, and posted a strong 2.81 ERA backed by a 1.08 WHIP.

Kay was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kay wasn't a favorite to secure an Opening Day rotation spot as he's thrown just 14 career big-league innings. After posting a 4.41 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 14 Triple-A starts last season, he likely still has something to prove in the minors.

May set a new personal high by hitting 99.8 mph with his fastball during Grapefruit League play, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

While that was on just one pitch, Park notes that May's average fastball velocity was also up over the 96 mph he averaged in 2019. Seemingly all the Twins relievers were throwing harder this spring. Taylor Rogers will be the closer, but May is also capable of getting high-leverage outs.

Littell set a new personal high by hitting 97.3 mph with his fastball during Grapefruit League play, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

He did not allow a run while striking out nine and giving up three hits and four walks over seven innings. Seemingly everyone in the Twins' bullpen upped their fastball velocity this spring, and while the 97.3 mph reading was on one pitch, Park notes that Littell's average fastball velocity was also up over his 94 mph average fastball velocity from 2019.