MLB Player News

Miller allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings Saturday against the Reds.

Miller threw 65 pitches but was unable to get past the fourth inning. He's thrown a total of 8.2 innings over four Cactus League starts, which begs the speculation of whether he'll be ready to throw five innings once the season starts. Miller's command has been shaky thus far. "I've wasted some pitches, but by the time the season starts, I won't be nibbling as much as I have," he told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "My curveball has been good, but I've got to stop falling behind in counts. I need to throw strikes, work thirds of the plate rather than the corners." The 28-year-old right-hander should receive two more starts and hopefully get his pitch count up to 80-to-85. It's looking like Miller will be the fifth starter, pitching April 3 at home against the Astros.

Yarbrough worked two innings in the batting cage Saturday after the Rays' Grapefruit League tilt against the Twins was rained out, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough continues to work back from the groin issues that plagued him earlier in camp, so it was important for him to get some scheduled work in after the postponement. The left-hander figures in as a key component of the staff this coming season after working as both a traditional reliever and opener last season across 38 appearances. Yarbrough projects to log time in both roles during the 2019 campaign, and his ability to work multiple innings makes him an ideal "bulk reliever" candidate in manager Kevin Cash's unique pitching rotation configuration.

Jimenez has a 1.29 ERA and 0.43 WHIP with nine strikeouts over seven innings this spring.

The 24-year-old has been sharp as he looks to build on a 2018 campaign that started strong but ended with a thud, as he compiled a 7.78 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over his final 22 outings. Jimenez will of course look for more consistent results in 2019, and he could take over as the team's closer if incumbent Shane Greene is traded or if he simply outperforms Greene and the rebuilding Tigers opt for the younger option.

Barnes allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning Saturday against Atlanta.

This was the best of Barnes' three Grapefruit League outings. He battled fastball command the first time out followed by a problematic curveball in his second outing. Saturday's appearance provides a semblance of relief for those betting on Barnes being Boston's closer.

Brasier (toe) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in an inning Saturday against the Braves.

The outing marked Brasier's spring debut after being sidelined by a toe infection since early in camp. According to manager Alex Cora, Brasier will be on a program where he pitches every two days, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. That should give him enough time to get ready for Opening Day. Brasier is a candidate to be the closer or share the role with Matt Barnes. At the very least, he'll be a high-leverage arm for Cora.

Peters was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Peters was never more than a long shot at best to break camp in the Angels' rotation. Even with Andrew Heaney's availability now in doubt due to elbow irritation, Peters is no longer involved in the competition. It may take an injury or two more for him to get his chance.

The Rays reassigned Merritt to their minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Merritt pitched exclusively at Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization in 2018, compiling a 3.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an outstanding 52:2 K:BB in 71.1 innings. That impeccable control was reason enough for the Rays to bring Merritt aboard this winter on a minor-league deal, but he never had much hope of securing an Opening Day role with the big club. Look for him to begin the season at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays reassigned Poche to their minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

As a lefty relief prospect, Poche shouldn't be on the radar in most dynasty formats, but it's still easy to envision him making an impact in single-season leagues once he gets the call to the majors. The 24-year-old's dominance between three minor-league stops in 2018 was simply staggering, as he posted a 0.82 ERA over 66 innings to go with a 45.6 percent strikeout rate. Poche endured a bumpy spring for Tampa Bay, but if he rediscovers his 2018 form at Triple-A Durham early on this season, he may not have to wait long for a promotion.

The Rays optioned Pruitt to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

With the Rays bringing a wealth of long relief/"primary pitcher" candidates to spring training, Pruitt needed to perform well in the Grapefruit League to secure his spot on the Opening Day roster. After surrendering three home runs across 8.2 innings, Pruitt made it easy for the Rays to include him among one of their earlier rounds of cuts. Expect Pruitt to build up his innings as a starter at Durham in preparation for another look in Tampa Bay at some point later in 2019.

The Rays reassigned Santos to their minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Santos made 15 appearances (one start) with the Blue Jays a season ago, but he didn't make much of a run at an Opening Day bullpen gig with the Rays after attending camp as a non-roster invitee. Expect him to report to Triple-A Durham to begin the season.