MLB Player News

Pomeranz (forearm) will head to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday for his last tuneup before rejoining the Red Sox next weekend, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The plan is for Pomeranz to get one last rehab outing in and then re-enter the Red Sox rotation against the Orioles. This will push Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez to the bullpen. Expect another update on Pomeranz's status following Sunday's affair.

Giles allowed a run on three hits in the ninth inning of Friday's 4-1 loss to the Padres.

This was Giles' third appearance of the season, all of which have come in non-save situations, but the closer needed to get his work in. The right-hander has allowed two runs on five hits over three innings, which are not the results one likes to see from someone paid to save games, but it's early in the season and no conclusions should be drawn just yet. In non-save situations last season, Giles had a respectable 2.38 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

McHugh allowed two hits and hit a batter while striking out four over 2.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 4-1 loss to San Diego.

McHugh, who's made 111 starts over six seasons, is adjusting to his role in the bullpen. So far there have been no issues. He's allowed one run and struck out five over 4.2 innings spanning three appearances. This was the second time pitching in multiple innings, which shouldn't be surprising for a former starter who is used to the pattern of pitching more than one inning. He'll be the first in line for spot starts or to replace an injured rotation member.

Moore (0-2) was rocked for six runs (five earned) on five hits in 3.1 innings Friday, walking four to go along with just one strikeout in Texas' 8-5 loss to Toronto.

It was the second straight rough start of the season for Moore, who has given up nine earned runs in just 7.1 innings. He had a 5.52 ERA in 174.1 innings for San Francisco last year and has a 4.29 mark for his eight-year career, so Moore shouldn't be in the fantasy conversation unless a drastic turnaround happens to manifest.

Staumont gave up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three in an inning of relief in the first game of the season for Triple-A Omaha.

It was a bit of a surprise to see the Royals start Staumont at Triple-A, given his significant struggles last year at Double-A. However, the fact that he worked in relief explains the assignment, as he could make it to the majors quickly as a power reliever. The whole Staumont experience was on full display Thursday against Colorado Springs, as he was wild yet dominant, getting all three outs via strikeout. Those who own Staumont in dynasty leagues are now faced with a tough decision, as his ceiling is a little lower now that he is no longer being developed as a starter, but he could reach the big leagues this summer as a high-strikeout reliever.

Pagan fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Rangers, allowing one hit.

After opening the season by allowing an earned run on a pair of hits in each of his first two trips to the mound, Pagan has generated a combined 2.1 scoreless frames over his subsequent pair of appearances. The 26-year-old right-hander should see plenty of middle-to-late-inning work throughout the course of the season, affording him an opportunity to deliver on the considerable upside he demonstrated in a rookie 2017 campaign with the Mariners during which he generated a 56:8 K:BB over 50.2 innings.

Kittredge (0-2) allowed an earned run on two hits and two walks while also recording a strikeout over 2.1 innings in Thursday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

He was on the hook for the loss when Hanley Ramirez's game-winning single to right off Ryan Yarbrough plated Jackie Bradley Jr., who Kittredge had allowed to reach on a leadoff double. It was a tough-luck defeat of sorts for the 28-year-old righty, who'd been effective otherwise in his second outing of the season. Kittredge has allowed an earned run apiece in that pair of appearances, but he projects to have plenty of opportunities to right the ship over the course of the season as a hybrid long reliever/occasional bullpen-day starter.

Alvarado was credited with his first hold of the season in Thursday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, firing a scoreless eighth inning in which he recorded two strikeouts.

Alvarado needed a scant eight pitches -- seven which found the strike zone -- to retire Eduardo Nunez, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Christian Vazquez. It was the burly southpaw's third scoreless effort over his first four appearances, building on what was an impressive spring during which he'd generated a 1.80 ERA across 10 trips to the mound. Alvarado's elite strikeout upside should continue to afford him plenty of setup work over the course of the season.

Pearson will open the season at High-A Dunedin, MLB.com's Mike Rosenbaum reports.

The 6-foot-6 righty has the potential to someday pitch atop a big-league rotation. He has the stuff to dominate Florida State League hitters, despite the fact he will be making his full-season debut, skipping Low-A entirely. It would not be surprising if the Blue Jays continue to promote him aggressively, especially if he is commanding his pitches. He is not scheduled to pitch until next week.

Colome blew a save opportunity against the Red Sox on Thursday while giving up two runs on four hits in the ninth inning.

Colome entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but was unable to secure a win for the Rays. This was only his second appearance of the season, with the first being a routine save. Despite a relatively low strikeout rate, Colome has proven he can be an effective closer and should have a fairly long leash in the role as a result. If struggles persist and he is demoted -- or if trade rumors finally come to fruition -- Sergio Romo and Jose Alvarado are potential closers in waiting.