MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Perez to their minor-league camp Wednesday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston decided to protect Perez from the Rule 5 draft over the winter by adding him to the 40-man roster, but the 21-year-old was never viewed as a serious candidate to crack the Astros' Opening Day roster. Perez will likely open the upcoming campaign in the rotation at Double-A Corpus Christi, where he was roughed up during a 13-inning sample in the second half of last season.

Ramirez (shoulder) is expected to return to the mound within the next couple days, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez has been dealing with a sore shoulder, which has prohibited the right-hander from participating in any throwing drills in recent days. Consider him day-to-day as he looks to battle for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen for the beginning of the 2018 season.

Hu allowed three earned runs on four hits across two innings in Tuesday's 9-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox.

The long ball proved to be a problem, as Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts both got to Hu for solo shots as part of a three-run second inning. The 24-year-old right-hander's rocky outing was a stark departure from his first two turns this spring, during which he'd tossed a combined three perfect frames against the Twins and Orioles. Tuesday marked the second consecutive two-inning appearance for Hu, who's battling for a bullpen spot after putting together a solid 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB over 10 innings in six appearances for the Rays last season. According to a report by Bill Chastain of MLB.com, Hu is also one of several relievers that could see multi-inning stints this coming season when manager Kevin Cash utilizes his bullpen as the de facto fifth starter.

Pomeranz returned to his routine and played catch Wednesday after being diagnosed with a left forearm flexor strain this past weekend, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Pomeranz was removed from Friday's spring game due to the injury, but reiterated that he left for precautionary reasons. The left-hander said that he was "pain-free" after being re-evaluated Tuesday, so expect him to work his way back into his throwing program over the next couple weeks.

Montgomery has been dealing with a blister issue throughout most of spring camp, Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group reports.

Montgomery remains in a limited capacity while working his way back from this ailment. Consider him day-to-day. The right-hander posted a 2.43 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 66.2 innings of relief with Triple-A Memphis last season and it was expected that he would battle for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen this spring. If he's unable to get onto the field soon, the 27-year-old will likely be back at the Triple-A level for the start of the 2018 season.

The Twins optioned Littell to Double-A Chattanooga on Wednesday.

Littell, who was acquired from the Yankees in the trade that sent Jaime Garcia to the Bronx last summer, was one of six players sent back to the Twins' minor-league camp. The 22-year-old right-hander submitted a 2.12 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 157 innings between two levels last season, but isn't viewed as one of the higher-end pitching prospects in the Minnesota farm system.

Lopez allowed one hit and walked three while striking out three over three scoreless innings in Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Alan Eskew of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was making his second spring start and once again had to work around first-inning trouble. From the standpoint of stranding baserunners, it's been a successful two starts for Lopez, who's allowed just one run and two hits, but walked five over five spring innings. The right-hander said he had early trouble commanding his fastball, but was pleased with his curve. He'll open the season in the middle of Chicago's rotation.

Mengden, tentatively projected to open the season as the No. 3 starter, has generated a 9.00 ERA, 2.50 WHIP and .423 BAA over six innings across three spring training appearances.

The right-hander has sandwiched two particularly poor efforts around a three-inning scoreless outing versus the Cubs last Wednesday. Mengden's worst outing came Monday in a 9-9 tie with the White Sox, as he allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks over 2.1 innings, while also recording a pair of strikeouts. The 25-year-old wrapped up 2017 on a strong note -- going 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA over his last five starts -- helping earn him the designation of presumed starter coming into spring training. He'll look to start inspiring more confidence in his ability to handle the job in a likely turn against the Brewers on Saturday.

Fulmer (elbow) threw around 40 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday and did not experience any issues, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer was scratched from his start Sunday with soreness in his throwing elbow, with that outing getting bumped to Friday. After getting through the bullpen session without any setbacks, Fulmer seems on track to make his Friday start and potentially line up as the Opening Day starter.

Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The 25-year-old righty had success in 84.2 innings for Double-A San Antonio in the Padres' system last season, putting up a 2.98 ERA with a 26.5 percent strikeout rate. He hit a wall upon promotion to Triple-A El Paso, though, with an ERA that ballooned to 6.64 and a strikeout rate that sunk to 18.7 percent. If he can conquer the Triple-A level this season, he could be in line for a summer promotion to the majors.