MLB Player News

Chavez will be used as a reliever by the Rangers this season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Chavez was competing for a spot in the Rangers' rotation, but it appears that he'll make the team as a reliever instead. The 34-year-old has been primarily a reliever in seven of his 10 major-league seasons. Chavez would have had little value as a starter, with a high ERA and an unremarkable strikeout rate (20.4 percent for his career), though at least he could have picked up a few wins. His value is even less as a long reliever and there will be little reason to own him in all but the deepest of leagues unless he returns to the rotation.

Treinen, who is in line to be the designated closer to open the season, fired a scoreless inning in which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in Tuesday's 8-2 Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

It's a continuation of what's been a strong exhibition slate for Treinen, one that's seen him allow just one earned run over seven appearances, leading to a 1.42 ERA. Treinen accumulated 16 saves and 10 holds with the Nationals and Athletics in 2017, and a chance to potentially operate as a closer for a full season for the first time in his career brightens his fantasy prospects considerably.

Pomeranz (forearm) will likely open up the 2018 season on the disabled list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz suffered a left forearm flexor strain during a start against the Cardinals on March 2. Manager Alex Cora did not expect him to be ready for Opening Day as of a week ago, and it appears as though nothing has changed that line of thinking with the season fast approaching. Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) remain uncertain for their first start of the regular season as well, so Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson are in play to take the mound during Boston's opening week.

Johnson is expected to start the regular season in the rotation, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Johnson's fate over the last three weeks has hinged on the health of Drew Pomeranz (forearm), Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee), all of whom are behind schedule. Rodriguez has a chance to be ready for the first week of the season, but it appears Johnson will make at least one start.

The Rays plan to use Colome, who led the American League with six saves of four or more outs last season, as a traditional ninth-inning closer in 2018, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

On multiple occasions last season, manager Kevin Cash called upon Colome to bail the team out of some tight eighth-inning scenarios, but he wants to avoid deploying that strategy as much as possible in 2018. Cash acknowledges that it probably "wasn't fair" to the right-hander to have to take on the extra workload, although he does leave open the possibility of the occasional four-out save opportunity for the 29-year-old if absolutely necessary. Even with the additional responsibility last season, Colome was able to notch 47 saves in 53 chances, becoming the first reliever in franchise history to pace the majors in that category. He's had limited work this spring, and the fact that he's yet to throw back-to-back games in Grapefruit League play doesn't concern him much. "We wait for the season to get closer to throw back to back, we'll see," said Colome, stressing the fact that a long season awaits. "I just try to do the same job I did last year. Give it all I have, 100 percent, and see what happens."

Farmer has tossed nine scoreless innings in spring training and has allowed four hits and four walks while striking out 10 batters.

Farmer initially reported to camp with the intent to compete for a rotation spot, but it wasn't long before the Tigers moved him to the bullpen. He has responded well to the demotion and has emerged as one of the Tigers' most electrifying arms in camp, with manager Ron Gardenhire relaying that Farmer is sporting a fastball clocked around 95-to-96 miles per hour and displaying a sharp breaking ball, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Given the dearth of power arms in the Detroit bullpen, Farmer looks in good position not only to make the Opening Day roster, but to also challenge for a key setup role in front of closer Shane Greene.

Heller could make the Opening Day roster if the Yankees decide to use an eight-man bullpen, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Heller appeared in nine games for the Yankees last season, allowing just one run in 11 innings. The 26-year-old righty is probably big-league ready, as he recorded a 2.88 ERA in 56.1 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilked-Barre last season, striking out 36.8 percent of batters. New York's bullpen is one of the deepest in the league, however, and doesn't have room for him unless expanded to eight men. Even if he does make the team, Heller is likely to be very deep on the closer depth chart and therefore not much of an asset in most leagues.

Junis has allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 14 in 10 innings so far this spring.

The pinpoint control that Junis displayed in the second half last year -- he had a 3.5 percent walk rate after the All-Star break -- has carried over into the spring. What's surprising is the 14 strikeouts, as Junis had a modest K-rate at the big-league level last year (7.3 K/9), although his runs at Double- and Triple-A hinted at room for some growth in that department. Nothing is official yet, but Junis seems to be cementing himself into the Kansas City rotation with his performance in camp.

Graveman was named as the Athletics' Opening Day starter Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

This will be Graveman's second consecutive Opening Day assignment. Last season, the 27-year-old came out of the gates hot with a 2.25 ERA in his first four starts, but shoulder issues limited him to 105.1 innings. He'll take the hill against the Angels in his first regular-season start of 2018, with the announcement coming in the wake of an impressive Cactus League outing against the Dodgers on Monday during which he racked up seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings while allowing only two hits.

Santiago pitched two more scoreless innings in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks and lowered his Cactus League ERA to 0.75.

Santiago is making a push for the No. 5 starter job that was presumed to be Carson Fulmer's at the onset of spring training. Since then, Fulmer allowed Santiago to creep into the picture after posting an 18.90 ERA over his first four starts. Fulmer righted himself somewhat, throwing his best game of the spring Monday, but this competition isn't over. Each pitcher will get one more opportunity later this week. Santiago is on the same schedule as Fulmer, so if manager Rick Renteria decides the young right-hander isn't ready to start the season with Chicago, the left-handed Santiago is a ready replacement.