MLB Player News

Chapman's four-seam fastball averaged 95.3 miles per hour during his 18-pitch appearance in Thursday's season-opening win over the Orioles, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

While Chapman still peaked at 97.8 mph and completed a scoreless frame, his velocity was down approximately four ticks from what he averaged in his first appearance of 2018. Perhaps as a means of compensating for the diminished heat, Chapman relied on more breaking pitches Thursday, a notable development for a pitcher who has thrown fastballs more than 79 percent of the time during his career. The Yankees haven't indicated that Chapman is dealing with a physical issue and it's possible he gains an extra tick or two as the weather warms, but his velocity readings are at the very least something that warrants monitoring in his subsequent outings.

Pop is healthy and will start the season in Double-A Bowie, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Pop was traded to the Orioles as part of last season's Manny Machado trade. Across three levels in 2018, the reliever posted a 1.53 ERA over 64.2 innings. The 22-year-old will have to prove himself in Double-A before he can move up in the organization, but considering the low expectations for the club in 2019, his path to the majors could be expedited.

Harvey will begin the season with Double-A Bowie, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Harvey gave up two runs on two hits in two innings of work in the Orioles' spring training and was later optioned to Triple-A spring training camp, so it's no surprise that the 24-year-old will transition to Double-A to start the year. Harvey struggled in his 32 innings last season in Bowie, posting a 5.57 ERA, so he needs to show consistent production in order to move up in the organization.

Hunter Strickland is expected to receive an MRI after experiencing shoulder tightness Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports, and Gearrin is on the short list of possible replacements for the ninth inning.

Anthony Swarzak (shoulder) and Shawn Armstrong (oblique) are hurt too, though Swarzak seems to be inching close to a return. If the M's need someone to step in for Strickland in the interim, it could very well be Gearrin, who split time between three clubs last year. He doesn't throw hard but can throw a pretty wicked slider. The right-hander has leaned on the breaking stuff more often early on this season, to impressive results in the small sample (one hit allowed, one walk, three strikeouts against 10 batters faced). Matt Festa and lefty Roenis Elias could also be in the mix.

Betances (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Betances opened the season on the 10-day injured list after experiencing diminished velocity in spring training, which was later attributed to an inflamed right shoulder. His ability to resume mound work suggests Betances is progressing well, but he'll need to test out his shoulder at least a couple times in simulated or minor-league rehab games before an activation from the IL can be considered imminent.

Banda (elbow) threw off a full mound Friday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was the latest positive step in Banda's recovery from last May's Tommy John surgery, and Friday's activity had been preceded by multiple bullpen sessions earlier in the month. The southpaw is still multiple months away from action, and he'll presumably progress to facing live hitters as his eventual next step.

Manager Brandon Hyde suggested that Yacabonis would be the first reliever used Saturday against the Yankees after opening pitcher Nate Karns departs, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hyde is hopeful that Karns can work into the third inning before turning the game over to the bullpen. Though Yacabonis will likely be asked to cover multiple innings as well, he won't necessarily be deployed as a "primary pitcher," with the Orioles instead expected to lean on multiple relievers as part of a bullpen game. John Means and Miguel Castro are other relievers who could be called upon to record more than three outs.

Johnson (1-0) struck out the side in the eighth inning and earned the win in Boston's 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Seattle on Friday.

Johnson gained some ticks on his fastball -- touching 92.9 mph -- while throwing a clean inning and was credited with the win after Mitch Moreland's three-run homer put Boston ahead in the ninth. The left-handed Johnson has thrown an inning in both of Boston's games thus far.

Barnes pitched the bottom of the ninth for his first save of the season during Friday's come-from-behind win against the Mariners, working a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

Barnes looked good in the process, with the other takeaway being that Ryan Brasier was also available after neither pitched in Thursday's opener. The Boston closer situation was and still is one of the more uncertain ones around baseball, but Barnes was expected to be the leading closer candidate and certainly held serve in this one. It'll be interesting to see what happens if the defending champs get another save opportunity right away again Saturday.

Alvarado secured his first save of the year and allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against Houston.

Alvarado ultimately managed to slam the door, but he allowed two batters to reach base before doing so. The 23-year-old finished the 2018 campaign with eight saves (against four blown saves) but should have more opportunities this year, even though the Rays haven't officially designated him as the team's closer.