MLB Player News

Devenski has been named the starter for Houston's spring-training home opener next Wednesday against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports.

Devenski was a nice boost out of the Astros bullpen in 2016, posting a 2.16 ERA and .91 WHIP in 108.1 innings over 48 appearances, including five starts. That was good enough to earn fourth place in the A.L. Rookie of the Year voting. But the 26-year-old right-hander was raised a starter and is being stretched out as one this spring. He has an outside chance of landing the final spot in the Astros rotation, competing with Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers.

Johnson will start against Northeastern University on Thursday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The Red Sox traditionally kick off game action during spring training against a Boston-area college and this year it's the Huskies of NU. It's not typically an important assignment, but for Johnson it is. The left-hander was on the cusp of the major leagues coming out of 2015 spring training, but an elbow injury, a toe injury and then two months away from the game to deal with an anxiety issues derailed his arrival. He finished last season, pitching well at Triple-A Pawtucket and will return there to start 2017. He's viewed as a depth starter, but is one of four guys considered as such.

Loup says he "feels great" and is fully recovered from the elbow injury that plagued his 2016 campaign, John Lott reports.

Last season, Loup dealt with the first serious injury of his career, a flexor strain in his elbow that caused him to begin the year on the disabled list. The side-winding lefty now admits he came back several weeks too soon which led to another setback. "At first, we didn't think it was that bad, but it ended up being worse than we thought," he said. "It took me longer to come back, and then when I actually got back, I probably still wasn't completely ready to be back." When the Blue Jays open their Grapefruit League schedule Saturday, a fierce battle for two bullpen spots will begin, and Loup will be among a group of eight pitchers in the mix.

Boxberger caught the eye of manager Kevin Cash in Tuesday's batting practice session, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "You saw the depth on his changeup, which was great to see. The ball's coming out of his hand really well."

The former closer would already be ahead of the game if he escapes spring training with his health intact, considering an abdominal injury during last year's exhibition slate set the stage for a season that would see him pitch just 24.1 innings and lose his ninth-inning role to Alex Colome. Boxberger could reinvent himself as a dominant setup option this season, and will look to significantly improve on the career-high 4.81 ERA and 1.73 WHIP he generated in 2016.

Manaea will make his Cactus League debut Monday against the Giants, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea is projected to follow Sonny Gray, who is expected to open the game. The A's projected No. 2 starter, Manaea is looking to follow up an encouraging 24-start rookie campaign with a breakout 2017 as a pivotal part of the rotation. One of the more interesting aspects to monitor in his initial appearance should be Manaea's use of his slider, which he is focusing on developing this spring as a third pitch alongside his fastball and changeup.

Graveman, penciled in as the A's No. 3 starter, will start Sunday's Cactus League tilt versus the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Already impressing in early workouts, Graveman won't have to wait long before jumping into live game action. He'll look to continue displaying the improved control he's flashed thus far while also further honing his changeup, two of his stated goals this spring.

Pomeranz (elbow) is on track with his recovery and is expected to be ready for the start of the season, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Despite Pomeranz being behind most pitchers, having just thrown his first bullpen session of spring Monday, manager John Farrell said he expects the southpaw to have enough time to be ready for opening day, barring any setbacks. He is slated to throw another bullpen session Thursday, and will look to lock down one of the final two rotation spots as he regains his health and starts to throw more in spring.

Coulombe, who posted a 3-1 record over 35 appearances for the A's last season, is a candidate for the final bullpen spot and has looked impressive thus far this spring, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports.

The 27-year-old southpaw's handedness could be pivotal to him securing a bullpen spot in 2017, as Sean Doolittle is the only other lefty currently projected among Oakland's top six relievers. Despite not wielding an elite fastball, Coulombe flashed some impressive strikeout ability last season, generating a 10.20 K/9 on the strength of 54 whiffs over 47.2 innings. Manager Bob Melvin has already singled out Coulombe for praise in early workouts.

Kelly shortened the arm action in his delivery last season when he was moved to the bullpen full time, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. After moving to the pen, Kelly had a 1.02 ERA and 1.019 WHIP, striking out 21 and walking five over 17.2 innings.

Instead of raring back and seeing how high he could register on the radar gun, Kelly kept his arm closer to his body, an adjustment that led to a more consistent release point and allowed him to stay on top of his pitches. That in turn led to consistent location of those pitches -- a fastball directed to the outside corner, stayed on the corner, and likewise pitches thrown on the inside corner. No longer were his pitches leaking over the plate where they could get hammered. It's a whole new world for Kelly in the pen. He'll be an important setup piece for closer Craig Kimbrel and will get fireman duty in high-leverage, non-save situations.

Burdi is viewed by the organization as a potential closer, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports. "We view him as an elite reliever, but he has back-end-of-the-bullpen type of stuff," White Sox director of player development Chris Getz said. "Does that mean that's where he starts? Is he going to go right as a closer? Not necessarily, but he has the potential to become a closer."

Burdi, a 2016 first-round pick (26th overall), touched multiple levels of the organization last season, finishing out the season at Triple-A Charlotte. He fanned 51 batters over 38 innings, but also walked 20. So right there, we see command is something the 21-year-old right-hander needs to clean up before he's entrusted to a closer's role for the White Sox. He's expected to reach the majors at some point in 2017 and there could be a savior role available should Chicago eventually move closer David Robertson in a deal.