MLB Player News

Hernandez was added to the 40-man roster Monday.

To protect Hernandez from the Rule 5 draft, the Rangers moved the 21-year-old righty to the 40-man roster. Hernandez spent time at Low-A Hickory and High-A Down East over the course of the 2017 season. Between the two levels, he threw 111.2 innings over 23 games and posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

Palumbo (elbow) was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster on Monday.

This move protects him from the Rule 5 draft. He was on his way to establishing himself as the Rangers' best pitching prospect last season when he suffered a torn UCL in late April. He will be out at least until May or June of 2018. Palumbo posted a 0.66 ERA and 22:4 K:BB in 13.2 innings at High-A before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He really broke out in 2016, excelling after moving from the bullpen to the rotation at Low-A. Look for him to return to High-A when he is healthy.

Martin was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster on Monday.

This move protects Martin from the Rule 5 draft. He notched an impressive 90 strikeouts in 84.1 innings (16 starts) at High-A last season, but his 4.70 ERA and 1.53 WHIP were a bit troubling for a 22-year-old hurler. He has a solid repertoire and his 3.52 xFIP suggests a bounce-back season could be coming at Double-A.

Beeks was added to the Red Sox's 40-man roster Monday to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

The 5-foot-11 lefty had a breakout 2017 season, notching a 3.86 ERA and 97:33 K:BB in 95.2 innings at Triple-A. He is essentially ready for the majors, and projects to serve as starting pitching depth in 2018. Despite posting impressive strikeout totals last season, his realistic ceiling is a No. 4 starter.

Colome is likely to be traded this offseason, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He is arbitration eligible for the first time, and figures to be rewarded pretty handsomely in the arbitration process after notching 84 saves over the past two seasons. The Rays are reportedly extremely motivated to trim payroll, and Colome would be a prized commodity on the market. This is relevant as it is not a lock that he would be dealt to a team where he would close. The Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and Indians are all contending teams with established closers that could be interested in Colome, so if he were traded to one of those four teams, his value in keeper leagues could take a significant hit.

Rumbelow was traded to the Mariners in exchange for minor-league pitchers JP Sears and Juan Then, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Rumbelow, who was recently added to the Yankees' 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, spent all of last season in the minors after missing almost all of 2016 due to Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a combined 1.12 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across 40.1 innings. He's looking to make it back to the majors for the first time since 2015 -- when he compiled a 4.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15.2 innings with the Yankees -- and should have a clearer path in Seattle.

Pagan was traded to the Athletics along with Alexander Campos in exchange for Ryon Healy.

Pagan made his major-league debut in 2017, posting a respectable 3.22 ERA to go along with his 0.93 WHIP and 56:8 K:BB across 50.1 innings of work. The 26-year-old has shown the makings of a high-leverage reliever, as evidenced by his 2.45 ERA, 305 strikeouts and 51 saves across five minor-league seasons (257.1 innings). He'll factor into Oakland's bullpen next season, and there's a good chance he could see high-leverage opportunities for the A's.

General manager Brian Cashman said Green will enter spring training as a starting pitcher, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cashman noted that a return to the bullpen would be a fallback option for Green, who posted a remarkable 1.83 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 103:17 K:BB across 69 innings while serving primarily as a reliever in 2017. The 26-year-old has flashed potential as a starter in the past, posting a 1.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 100:21 K:BB in 16 starts (94.2 innings) with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2016, though he's yet to put it together in the majors (6.10 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in nine big-league starts). His role for 2018 will be determined in spring training.

May (elbow) threw 75 throws from 105 feet Monday, according to his personal Twitter account.

He was working on throwing from 60 feet back in August, so it sounds like he is continuing to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he had in March. It is unclear when he will be ready for game action, but he could open the year on the DL.

Johnson will be tried out as a reliever in 2018, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Johnson split time between Triple-A Pawtucket and the Red Sox last season, compiling a 3.09 ERA in 17 starts for the PawSox and a 4.33 ERA in five starts for the big club. While he's worked solely as a starting pitcher through his first six seasons, the Red Sox -- who are in need of left-handed bullpen depth -- are set to try the 26-year-old southpaw out in a relief role. Johnson is expected to make the big club out of spring given he's out of options, so having him as a relief arm with the capability to spot start makes sense for a Red Sox team that is comfortable with their current starting rotation. At this point, it's unclear if the transition is a long-term move or simply for the 2018 season.