MLB Player News

Treinen tossed a pair of scoreless innings Saturday against the Angels en route to his second save of the season. He struck out four.

The veteran was called upon to face the meat of the order in the eighth inning and emerged unscathed. An extra run of insurance prompted the Athletics to leave him out for the ninth, and he managed to escape the inning despite putting a pair of runners on base. Treinen has yet to allow an earned run this year and holds a 7:2 K:BB in six innings of work, though his 1.50 WHIP is a bit troubling.

Warwick Saupold, not Norris, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for Mike Fiers to return to the roster Sunday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It was thought that Norris would get sent down to make room for Fiers, but the young lefty looked good in 3.1 innings of relief Thursday, so he'll stick around for now. The return of Fiers will put Norris in the bullpen, though he could carve out a role as a valuable long reliever and possibly supplant Fiers at some point if the veteran struggles. The Tigers may also decide to send Norris down at a later date to get him more work as a starter. Until Norris is making starts at the MLB level, his fantasy value will remain limited.

Kittredge will start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It will be Kittredge's second start of the season as the Rays employ a bullpen-day Sunday. The 28-year-old tossed 3.1 innings in his first start and has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5.2 innings for the season. Kittredge should continue to see consistent opportunities as a long reliever and occasional bullpen-day "starter" for the Rays.

Saupold was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Saupold was optioned to make room for Mike Fiers, who is set to return from the disabled list to make his first start of the season Sunday. Saupold hadn't given up a run in 3.1 innings of relief so far this season, though he also didn't strike out anyone either. He'll work out of the rotation for Toledo and will likely be back up with the Tigers at some point later this season.

Fulmer (1-1) picked up the win over the White Sox on Saturday, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings and allowing six hits and three walks while striking out four.

It wasn't the sharpest performance from Fulmer -- he threw 56 of 92 pitches for strikes and generated only nine swinging strikes -- but he shut down any hint of a rally from the White Sox. The right-hander's 0.68 ERA through 13.1 innings stands in stark contrast to his mediocre 7:5 K:BB, and it could be the former that suffers in his next start Thursday in Cleveland.

Heller underwent Tommy John surgery Friday.

The surgery is something of a surprise, as Heller's reported ailment was bone spurs, rather than a sprained UCL. Dr. Christopher Ahmad apparently performed Tommy John surgery and also removed a bone spur in one procedure. The typical Tommy John recovery timeline would see Heller able to return to game action sometime in the middle of the 2019 season. He was on the outside looking in this spring in the battle for the Yankees' final bullpen spot, so he's likely to end up at the Triple-A level once he's able to pitch again.

The Angels recalled Morris from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Morris was traded from the Braves to the Angels on Tuesday and didn't have to wait long before being promoted. Friday's starter Parker Bridwell lasted only 1.2 innings, leaving six Angels relievers to cover the remainder of the game. Morris replaces Bridwell on the 25-man roster and should serve in a low -leverage bullpen role for the Halos.

Merritt (arm) will appear in an extended spring training contest Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Merritt continues to recover from a "tired arm" that has sidelined him from game action since the last week of spring training. He appears to be a few weeks away from returning to the Indians and will likely require a start or two in the minors on a rehab assignment.

Yacabonis was called up from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Saturday's game against the Yankees, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

In a corresponding move, the Orioles placed Colby Rasmus on the 10-day disabled list with a left hip injury. Yacabonis appeared in 14 big-league games last season, posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with an 8:14 K:BB. Expect him to pitch only in low-leverage situations.

Johnson will be utilized out of the bullpen moving forward, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

With the return of Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) Sunday and Drew Pomeranz (forearm) next weekend, Johnson will no longer be needed in the Red Sox rotation. During his lone start against Miami on Monday, Johnson earned the victory, allowing just one earned run off six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings. In the event of a future injury to a member of Boston's staff, expect Johnson to fill in as a spot starter.