MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Hart to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hart, a 28-year-old LOOGY, has made 73 appearances with the Orioles over the past two seasons but plummeted down the depth chart this spring with Baltimore bringing several left-handed relievers to camp. With Hart out of the mix, Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes, Tanner Scott, Josh Edgin and Joely Rodriguez are the top contenders for a spot as the Orioles' second lefty out of the bullpen behind Richard Bleier.

Jordan Zimmermann, not Fulmer, will start Opening Day, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It was widely assumed that Fulmer would get the nod, but manager Ron Gardenhire decided to go with the veteran Zimmermann, who turned in a career-worst 6.08 ERA last season. Fulmer is Detroit's most talented starter, but he has dealt with some elbow issues this spring, so perhaps the Tigers are just giving him extra time to get ready for the season.

The Royals optioned Almonte to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

An impressive showing in the Cactus League (one run allowed over nine innings, 8:1 K:BB) wasn't enough for Almonte to secure a spot in the Royals' Opening Day bullpen. The 24-year-old remains one of the higher-upside arms in the organization's farm system and looks close to contributing in relief for the big club, but the Royals may not be ready yet to pull the plug on developing Almonte as a starter at Triple-A.

Barnes allowed one run on two hits while striking out five over two innings Saturday against the Rays.

Barnes, who didn't allow a run in his five previous Grapefruit League outings, ran his fastball up to 98 mph Saturday and has struck out nine 12 over seven innings. He's one of the hard throwers the Red Sox can call on in the seventh or eighth innings. The trick for Barnes is to command better. The right-hander has walked 3.9 batters per nine innings over the last two seasons.

Busenitz gave up three runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday to raise his spring ERA to 8.22.

Busenitz has given up seven runs in 7.2 innings this spring but does have 10 strikeouts and just two walks. He made a strong impression when called up last season with a 2.05 ERA and 7.8 K/9 in the final two months, so he's likely to win a bullpen spot even with his uneven spring.

Moll was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Moll had already been optioned out of the Mariners' major-league camp before being placed on waivers and scooped up by Toronto. The 26-year-old southpaw logged 6.2 innings across 11 appearances for the A's last season, posting a 10.80 ERA, 2.40 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB. He'll compete for an Opening Day roster spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen.

Hildenberger gave up three runs and a home run in one inning to see his spring ERA rise to 10.29 in Friday's rout. However, he's been working on his slider and not using his changeup this spring, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Hildenberger was expected to be a key setup man for the Twins, but he's given up eight runs over seven innings with just three strikeouts and four walks. It looks like he'll still make the bullpen and could be just working on new pitches, but his spring performance is still a reason for concern.

Pomeranz (forearm) will throw two innings in a controlled minor-league game Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz could get another two starts in before the end of spring training, but he appears likely to open the year on the disabled list.

Manager Alex Cora said Kimbrel (personal) will be ready physically for the start of the regular season regardless of whether he makes it back to spring training, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Kimbrel has been up in Boston to be with his daughter during her recovery from heart surgery, but has been throwing live batting practice, most recently Thursday. "I just talked to Adam Thomas, one of the trainers. He feels that [Kimbrel] is actually in a better place as far as his strength and his arm than the previous years. So that's a good sign," said Cora. It's quite possible Kimbrel does not pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but it sounds like he'll be ready to go when Boston kicks off the regular season March 29 at Tampa Bay.

Lopez allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 4.1 innings in Friday's start against the Cubs.

Lopez has flirted with baserunners all spring, but had thrown 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings, including an efficient three innings to open Friday's game, before the danger caught up to him in the fourth inning. Lopez will open the season in the rotation, so manager Rick Renteria felt it was important to let him find his way through the struggles, which should help the young hurler when the stakes are higher in the regular season. "It's not the first time I pitched through an inning like that," Lopez told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. "But having those innings here in spring training is a good way to prepare for a season. Now you know how to handle it, survive it or pass through that inning." Lopez has allowed five runs, 13 hits and eight walks over 13.2 spring innings.