MLB Player News

Bummer was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Bummer seemed to have a shot at a bullpen role but will have to make the case for a roster spot during his time in the minors. His 12.00 ERA in six spring innings can't have helped him as he pushed for a job.

Scouts that observed Betances during his one-inning appearance in Sunday's 7-3 exhibition win over the Phillies clocked his fastball between 87 and 91 miles per hour, George A. King III and Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports.

Though Betances struck out Bryce Harper as part of a perfect, eight-pitch frame, the reliever expressed dissatisfaction with his velocity, stating afterward that he is "still not where I want to be with the arm strength." Betances noted earlier in camp that he usually takes a while to ramp up every spring and doesn't expect to flirt with triple digits on the radar gun until May, so the right-hander's ratios could be a little less stable than usual in the first month of the season.

The Red Sox reassigned Putnam (hamstring) to their minor-league camp Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Putnam missed the entire 2018 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but it was the hamstring issue that prevented him from making an appearance during the Grapefruit League. He'll likely stick around at extended spring training to rehab the injury before reporting to Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Tigers reassigned Coleman to their minor-league camp Monday, Emily Waldon of The Athletic reports.

Detroit relied heavily on Coleman out of the bullpen last season, with the 32-year-old making 51 appearances and turning in a 3.51 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. The right-hander was still forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the Tigers this winter and didn't distinguish himself this spring, resulting in him falling out of contention for an Opening Day bullpen gig. Coleman will likely open the season at Triple-A Toledo unless he requests his release from the organization.

Pardinho's start to 2019 will be delayed by elbow soreness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports.

The issue is being described as "mild" but will lead to Pardinho staying behind in extended spring training. Still just 18, Pardinho may have been set to remain there anyway, with short-season Vancouver being a potential starting point for him this season.

Martin retired all four batters faced, including three in a row by strikeout, in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Martin had given up eight runs over his previous two Cactus League outings, so seeing him pitch effectively is a welcome sign. "That was good," manager Chris Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. "He has had a couple lack-of-results outings. He said he's felt great, but today it was good to get him out there and have some success. He was overpowering their guys. It was good for him to get out there and have those kind of results." The right-handed reliever is expected to get high-leverage work in 2019.

Barnes struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief during Saturday's split-squad game against the Orioles.

Dropped from the 40-man roster in the offseason, Barnes came into camp with a chip on his shoulder and has been brilliant, posting a 10:0 K:BB in 6.2 innings while giving up only one run. That's likely not enough to put him back in the mix for a bullpen job, especially after his rough 2018, but if he carries that momentum forward into the regular season with Triple-A Buffalo, he could resurface in the majors over the summer.

Johnson will start Sunday's spring game against the Rays in place of David Price (illness), Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

With Price unable to go Sunday, Johnson will take the ball for the fourth time this spring. Johnson will try to turn things around Sunday after allowing eight earned runs over 5.0 innings (14.40 ERA) over his first three outings.

Leiter will miss the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This is a tough blow for the right-hander. Leiter will now begin a long recovery process that could keep him sidelined into the 2020 campaign.

Adam was traded from the Royals to the Blue Jays for cash considerations Sunday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Adam, a non-roster invitee, made five appearances for the Royals this spring -- allowing two unearned runs in 4.1 innings while striking out five -- before being flipped to Toronto. The right-hander struggled in his big-league debut with Kansas City last season, finishing with a 6.12 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 32.1 innings of relief. Adam did whiff more than a batter per inning (10.3 K/9), though he also issued too many free passes (4.2 BB/9). He'll provide bullpen depth for his new team.