MLB Player News

Garcia will open the year with High-A Tampa, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

While Garcia made one start for Double-A Trenton at the end of the 2018 season, he had only made five starts at High-A prior to that, so this assignment makes sense. He will return to the Florida State League for a month or two before likely spending most of the season at Double-A.

Heller (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

This comes as no surprise, as Heller underwent Tommy John surgery last April and likely won't be ready to pitch in games until the middle of the season. The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jake Barrett, who was claimed off waivers.

Hamilton (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Hamilton wound up spending the minimum 10 days on the shelf due to shoulder soreness stemming from a car accident in spring training. Look for the young right-hander to join the big-league bullpen once he finds his footing in the minors. Hamilton posted a 4.50 ERA in eight innings with the big club following a September promotion.

Covey was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Covey made two appearances out of the White Sox's bullpen before being sent to the minors, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in 1.1 innings of work. Tim Anderson was returned from the paternity list in a corresponding move.

Mejia is opening the year with High-A Lynchburg, MLB.com reports.

It was initially reported that he had been optioned to Double-A out of big-league camp this spring, but he will instead head to High-A after spending most of 2018 at Low-A. Mejia was a low-key breakout prospect last year, getting his fastball up into the mid-90s while flashing a couple plus breaking pitches. If the 6-foot-4 righty carries over last year's success to High-A and possibly Double-A later this season, he could shoot up prospect lists.

Hernandez is being held back in extended spring training while he rehabs a stress fracture in his rib, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

This sounds like it could be months, not weeks, before Hernandez is ready to make his 2019 debut, likely at High-A Wilmington. He has a pretty filthy repertoire when he is on, but many evaluators think Hernandez will eventually end up in the bullpen due to shaky command and inconsistent secondary offerings. The big 6-foot-4 righty is already 22 and has not pitched above Low-A.

Rodney (0-1) allowed three earned runs on four hits and a wild pitch over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday. He struck out one.

The veteran reliever was called upon to preserve a 3-3 tie in the ninth, but he promptly allowed singles to three of the first four batters he faced. Rodney then uncorked a wild pitch while working against Mookie Betts and subsequently allowed a two-run double to the Red Sox's center fielder. Rodney had also given up a pair of earned runs over an inning against the Angels last Friday, but he's generated scoreless outings in his three other appearances thus far.

Balazovic will open the year back with Low-A Cedar Rapids, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

This is a pretty surprising assignment, as Balazovic logged a 3.03 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 23.6 K-BB% and 48.1 GB% in 61.2 innings at Low-A last year. A 6-foot-4 righty from Ontario, Balazovic can touch the upper-90s with his fastball and his slider and changeup should be at least average pitches. He has as much upside as any pitcher in the Twins' farm system other than Brusdar Graterol, and could have a breakout year, likely splitting time between Low-A and High-A.

Barnes (1-0) entered Wednesday's game in the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings in a 6-3 victory over Oakland.

Barnes was called on in a high-leverage spot and struck out Khris Davis with a nasty curveball. He went on to pitch a scoreless eighth inning and was the pitcher of record when Boston went ahead in the ninth. Manager Alex Cora will apparently use Barnes in non-save situations that the manager deems important, regardless of the inning. Ryan Brasier earned the save.

Brasier pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.

Manager Alex Cora used Matt Barnes in the seventh inning of a tie game to get a big out against slugger Khris Davis, clearing the way for Brasier to pick up his first save after Boston went ahead in the top of the ninth. If Cora continues to use Barnes in high-leverage, non-save situations, Brasier will be in line for at least a handful of save opportunities in 2019.