MLB Player News

Green will pitch at High-A Tampa on Thursday, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports.

This measure is just temporary, as it's expected that poor weather will prevent Green from pitching an upcoming game at Double-A Trenton. At the moment, the big club is able to get by using a four-man rotation, however the Yankees will need a fifth starter April 16. If Green can string together a series of solid outings, the possibility exists that he could earn said spot. During the 2016 season, Green pitched in 12 major-league games (eight of which were starts) and allowed 24 runs over 45.2 innings.

Strahm coughed up four runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out in a 7-1 loss to the Twins on Monday.

Called into the game in the seventh inning with the game tied at 1-1, Strahm surrendered two singles and loaded the bases with an intentional walk before walking Robbie Grossman to hand the Twins the lead. Strahm then received the hook from manager Ned Yost, and Travis Wood was unable to clean up Strahm's mess, as he allowed all three of his inherited runners to score. While it was a disappointing start to the season for Strahm, it appears he'll still be earmarked for a vital role in the Royals bullpen as part of the bridge to closer Kelvin Herrera following a successful debut season.

De Leon was placed on the minor-league DL after experiencing minor discomfort in the flexor mass muscle in his forearm last week, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.

He has been prescribed rest for the ailment, but this is still somewhat concerning. De Leon's innings were going to be limited anyway, after he logged just 103.1 innings in 2016, so this simply alters when he gets his 2017 innings, assuming rest is all he needs to overcome the issue. He will be held back in extended spring training while he builds up strength and will then be activated at Durham.

De Leon will open the year on the 7-day DL at Triple-A Durham with an undisclosed injury, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.

Minor-league rosters are starting to surface, and De Leon was notably listed as one of the players who will open the year on the DL at Durham. Topkin said he would look into the reason for the righty's placement on the DL, and we will update his status when a specific injury is provided.

Pomeranz (forearm) threw close to 90 pitches over six innings in a minor league game Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. "There was an uptick in overall stuff. It was an encouraging day for him," manager John Farrell said.

The goals of this outing were to build up his pitch count and an overall improvement in the quality of his pitches. Pomeranz checked both boxes, according to Farrell, who said they haven't discussed the next step for the left-hander. He's eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list Sunday in Detroit, the first time Boston will need a fifth starter. If the Red Sox want to hold him back for one more outing, the best fill-in option is Kyle Kendrick.

Graveman (1-0) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in a 4-2 Opening Day victory over the Angels on Monday.

Graveman, a groundball artist not typically known for strikeout stuff, impressed in his first start of the season. The two runs he allowed came on a two-run dinger by none other than Mike Trout. While the strikeout total Monday night was nice, don't expect that kind of production moving forward, as Graveman has just a 5.6 K/9 in his career.

Giles pitched the ninth inning with one walk and three strikeouts to earn his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Mariners on Monday.

Giles is attractive as a top-10 fantasy closer because of his high-90s heater and impressive strikeout rate (14.0 K/9 in 2016). Luke Gregerson and Will Harris could be a threat to his role if he struggles, but Giles is in prime position to rack up plenty of saves for a contending club.

Barnes allowed a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning in Monday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

Barnes was pretty good last season when inheriting runners, stranding 80 percent of the runners he faced -- the MLB average was 70 percent -- and he'll be used frequently to clean up starters' messes in 2017. However, he was unable to provide much help for Rick Porcello on Monday, letting both runners he inherited to come around and score.

Covey stayed behind at the White Sox's training complex in Arizona and threw 75 pitches Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Covey is building up endurance in preparation for an expected start Saturday. With news that Carlos Rodon (biceps) may not return until mid-May, Covey is in position to make five or six starts in his place. Of course, it would take a bold fantasy owner to activate a starter with no experience above Double-A.

Kelly watched from the bullpen Monday as manager John Farrell went with left-hander Robby Scott and right-hander Heath Hembree to pitch the eighth inning in Boston's 5-3 win over the Pirates, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. Farrell said following the game that he will have to mix and match "without a lockdown eighth-inning guy."

It was surprising to hear the manager's comments after he anointed Kelly the fill-in setup guy once it became apparent that Tyler Thornburg (shoulder) was going to start the season on the 10-day disabled list. Kelly looked the part of a setup guy last September, but his inability to consistently throw strikes reared its ugly head again this spring, as he walked eight in 9.2 innings. Until Kelly improves his strike-throwing, he won't be the only eighth-inning option in Boston.