MLB Player News

Pagan is one of the leading contenders for the Rays' final bullpen spot, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. "He's had a good spring," manager Kevin Cash said. "I think we knew what we were getting when we acquired him, but at the same time, it's always refreshing to see that backed up."

The right-hander arrived from Oakland via trade in December after an up-and-down 2018 campaign when he posted a 4.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 63:19 K:BB across 62 innings over 55 appearances. Pagan has produced similar numbers in Grapefruit League play this spring when adjusted for sample size, generating a 4.66 ERA but also compiling 10 strikeouts over 9.2 frames. Pagan has been working on a breaking ball to help increase his effectiveness against left-handed hitters, which tagged him for a .296 average and 14 extra-base hits (five doubles, three triples and six home runs) over a 93-batter sample last season. According to Torbio, in addition to traditional relief work, Pagan could be an option for the opener role on bullpen days during the coming season.

Treinen finished Cactus League play with a 1.80 ERA, six strikeouts and two holds across five innings over five appearances.

It was simply an extension of the dominance the veteran right-hander exhibited last season, a campaign during which he took the reins of the closer role by converting 38 of 43 save opportunities while generating an 0.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 100:21 K:BB across 80.1 innings. Treinen is now 54-for-64 in save chances over the last two seasons, and he heads into 2019 as an unquestioned ninth-inning option capable of working multiple frames when necessary.

Pressly will sign a two-year, $17.5 million deal that includes a vesting option for a third year with the Astros on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly signed a one-year, $2.9 million deal in January to avoid arbitration and was set to become a free agent next season, but is now signed with the team through at least 2021. It's a sizable payday for a non-closing reliever -- reportedly the largest ever -- but the 30-year-old proved his worth after being acquired from the Twins last July with a 0.77 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 32:3 K:BB across 26 appearances. Pressly should begin the season as the setup man to closer Roberto Osuna and will see plenty of high-leverage work for the Astros.

Chapman has yielded just three hits and one earned run in his six Grapefruit League appearances this spring, with seven strikeouts and just one walk over his 5.1 innings.

The lefty flamethrower said earlier this spring that he feels fully recovered from the knee pain that bothered him last season, and he's looked healthy and locked in this spring. Chapman is one of the better closers in baseball when he's healthy and on his game, and he figures to be a steady source of saves once again at the back end of a loaded Yankees bullpen.

Lopez is expected to open the season in the Royals' starting rotation, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

With Ian Kennedy being shifted to the bullpen, it sounds like Lopez is in line to break camp in Kansas City's starting rotation. The right-hander has been solid this spring, compiling a 1.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB through four appearances (14.1 innings).

General manager Brian Cashman said Betances is dealing with a shoulder impingement and will begin the season on the injured list, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Betances recently told the Yankees he wasn't at full strength, which -- along with his display of diminished velocity -- prompted the team to send him for an MRI. It's unclear how long the issue will keep the right-hander sidelined at this point, but Cashman said he doesn't believe Betances' absence will be an extended one, according to Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger. Betances will take anti-inflammatories and rest for 3-to-5 days before hopefully picking up a throwing program. In his absence, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Chad Green will effectively split setup duties.

Leclerc retired two of the four batters he faced in Monday's 3-1 exhibition win over the Dodgers. He gave up one run on two hits and struck out one.

The run Leclerc allowed came on a solo blast by Brad Miller, the second the 25-year-old has surrendered this spring. Considering Leclerc has surrendered just five long balls over 118.1 career regular-season innings, it's probably best to take the home-run problems he's endured this spring with a grain of salt. On a more encouraging note, Leclerc has continued to display the improved control that keyed his 2018 breakout, as he's run up a 10:2 K:BB through 6.1 frames.

Norris is in the mix for the Tigers' final rotation spot, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Michael Fulmer is expected to miss the entire season after being recommended for Tommy John surgery, leaving the Tigers with an open spot in their rotation. Norris, who has started 39 games for the Tigers over the last three seasons, is a leading candidate to fill that void, as is Spencer Turnbull. The southpaw hasn't done much to boost his case for the job this spring, posting a 5.06 ERA and 9:6 K:BB through 10.2 innings (compared to Turnbull's 2.70 ERA and 8:1 K:BB through 10 frames).

The A's are hoping Puk (elbow) will be ready for game action sometime in June, Tyler Maun of MiLB.com reports.

Puk is working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in April of 2018. The southpaw incorporated all of his pitches in a bullpen Tuesday and reportedly looked good. The tentative plan is for Puk to stay back and pitch in extended spring training games to get stretched out before ultimately heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Fulmer is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Fulmer's velocity had been considerably down this spring, yet the news still comes as a surprise, as he'd been reportedly dealing with a mechanical issue and a potential knee injury. Elbow concerns hadn't been mentioned, but he's had two doctors recommend the surgery and will now seek a third opinion. Assuming he does indeed go through with the procedure, Fulmer would miss all of 2019 and at least a few months of 2020 as well.