MLB Player News

Honeywell (elbow) threw an inning in an extended spring game in Port Charlotte on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Honeywell reportedly got through his outing in strong fashion, clocking between 91 and 94 mph through his one frame. The outing marked his first time back on the bump since February 2018 Tommy John surgery. Although he still remains some time away from being considered for activation, the 24-year-old right-hander appears to be on the right track in his recovery.

De Leon (elbow) threw an inning in an extended spring game in Port Charlotte on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was a notable step for the rehabbing right-hander, who was commemorating his return to mound work. De Leon reportedly clocked in between 91 and 94 mph, certainly an encouraging sign just over a year removed from Tommy John surgery.

Hildenberger threw a scoreless seventh inning in Saturday's win over Detroit. He's thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and one walk in seven appearances this season.

Hildenberger has settled into a setup role and doesn't appear to be among the pitchers used to close games. However, Minnesota's bullpen remains a fluid situation, so he could get save chances at some point.

Miller won't start Sunday's game against the Athletics following Saturday's postponement.

Adrian Sampson was scheduled to start Saturday but will now start Sunday's series finale, thanks to the rain. The Rangers have yet to officially announce their rotation plans for the rest of the week, but Miller will presumably start Monday against the Angels if they simply push everyone back one game.

Giles allowed one hit and struck out two in a save during a 3-1 victory against the Rays on Saturday.

While owners would like to see him yield fewer baserunners, this was a nice way for Giles to respond after blowing a save against the Red Sox on Thursday. Giles is 4-for-5 in save opportunities with a 2.57 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He also has 11 strikeouts in seven innings.

Gonsalves, who is on the 7-day injured list with a sore forearm, is expected to remain sidelined at Triple-A Rochester for several more weeks, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It doesn't look like Gonsalves is close to returning and it sounds like this issue could be significant. However, there are not too many details as his injury was previously described as a left elbow flexor/pronator strain.

Swanson, who was just optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, is a candidate to be called up if Wade LeBlanc (oblique) is forced to miss at least one start, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

It could be quick turnaround for Swanson if LeBlanc's MRI on Saturday confirms that he'll need to miss at least his next scheduled turn in the rotation Wednesday versus the Indians. Swanson appeared in one game for the Mariners during his just-concluded big-league stint, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts over two innings against the Royals on Thursday.

Chavez allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Athletics.

What seems like a moderately ineffective relief appearance was worse. Chavez inherited three runners and allowed all three to score. For the season, he's stranded just two of eight inherited runners. The mechanical tweaks Chavez made last year that produced a career-best 2.55 ERA are not having the same impact in 2019. Friday's outing was the fifth time in seven appearances Chavez has given up runs of his own, and he has an 11.37 ERA.

Manager Chris Woodward remains confident in Leclerc after the young closer had two rough outings in Arizona, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc retired just two of nine batters faced over his last two appearances thanks to inconsistent fastball control. Woodward expressed confidence that Leclerc will regain command of the fastball, but the manager didn't exactly state he'll be used the next time a save opportunity arises. "Once he gets back in line with his fastball, he'll be fine,'' Woodward said. "He's the kind of kid who wants to get back out there." It sounds like Woodward will use Leclerc in the next save situation, but his comments are vague enough to make it an issue worth monitoring.

Barnes earned his second hold of the season Friday night, coming on to get the final out of the seventh inning.

Barnes had the rare one-out, two-strikeout appearance, as the first batter he struck out reached on a wild pitch. More importantly, he came into the game in the seventh and Ryan Brasier got the save, thanks to Tyler Thornburg giving up two runs in the ninth. Barnes still could get save chances in more conventional situations, but it's clear that when the Red Sox want to use the "ace reliever" concept in earlier innings, they'll turn to Barnes.