MLB Player News

Merritt has been rocked for seven runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings this spring.

The sample size doesn't need to be large to understand that Merritt isn't quite ready for the big leagues. Cactus League hitters have tagged him for a .346 BAA while drawing a walk and a hit-by-pitch over Merritt's three appearances. After being part of the last season's World Series roster, the lefty is slated to begin 2017 at Triple-A Columbus.

Armstrong pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while notching a strikeout in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Armstrong continued impressing this spring, as he extended his scoreless streak to 6.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out six over his six Cactus League appearances. Since the exhibition season began, Armstrong has thrown 39 of 49 pitches for strikes, quieting hitters to a .136 BAA and managing a 0.63 WHIP. He's worked his way to the inside position for the Indians' lone bullpen vacancy as Opening Day inches closer.

Almonte has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Almonte was competing for a spot in the Royals' big league bullpen, but he'll now return to Triple-A Omaha, where he pitched 60 innings in 2016. At 23 years old, he still has time to keep developing. However, the Royals will be hoping the young right-hander can improve upon 5.55 ERA he posted last season.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Smith had a been a candidate to claim one of Toronto's final bullpen spots, but it appears he will not be receiving that nod. The 35-year-old right-hander is not new to the Triple-A level, as he posted a 3.93 ERA in 130.2 innings pitched with Triple-A Nashville in the Athletics' organization last season.

Chavez had a solid outing Sunday, giving up two runs on four hits in his four innings of work. He struck out three and walked none in a win over the Mariners.

Chavez has been average at best this spring, posting a 4.32 ERA with nine strikeouts in his 8.1 innings of work. Even with the mediocre results, he remains the front-runner for the Angels' fifth rotation spot. His main competition, Bud Norris, has missed time with a finger injury and hasn't been effective on the mound this spring (6.23 ERA in 4.1 innings). It's still early, and things can change, but Chavez is the guy to target in deeper formats for seekers of cheap strikeouts.

Gonsalves was optioned to minor-league camp Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Gonsalves appeared in three games for the Twins this spring, allowing no hits and issuing just one walk across 3.1 innings. He'll start the year in Triple-A Rochester and could eventually earn himself a call-up to Minnesota at some point in 2017.

Boxberger (back) doesn't seem to have any concern about his availability for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I'll definitely be ready April 2," Boxberger said.

The right-hander is feeling better after tweaking a lat muscle in a workout last week, and is set to toss a bullpen session Monday to test things out. He'll likely need to complete multiple sessions and face hitters in batting practice or a simulated game before he's cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut, perhaps at some point next week.

Zych (biceps) will throw a live BP session later this week, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Zych is progressing well from the biceps surgery he underwent last October, although he still isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day. The 26-year-old will face the next step in his recovery process later in the week, and if all goes well, he could move on to pitching simulated games shortly after. Barring any setbacks, he should be ready to return sometime early in the season, likely serving as the setup man for Edwin Diaz.

Boxberger (oblique) is slated to increase his activity this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old, who'd suffered a setback with his lat muscle during a workout last week, will test himself with an uptick in his activity in the coming days. Boxberger has yet to make his spring debut, as his current injury occurred in the midst of the former closer's preparation for his first taste of game action, which likely would have transpired last week if not for the hiccup.

McHugh (arm) is aiming to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will have McHugh throw a live batting practice session Tuesday as a final step in his recovery from dead arm, and if all goes well, the right-hander should be able to get a few outings in before the spring draws to a close. McHugh looks on track to open the season as the Astros' No. 3 starter.