MLB Player News

Red Sox manager John Farrell said that Smith (elbow) will likely throw his first bullpen since Tommy John surgery sometime between March 10 and March 15, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

This development seems to be consistent with the expectation that the former eighth-rounder could return sometime in late May or early June, although Mastrodonato speculates that he could return a bit earlier than that. Smith underwent Tommy John surgery on May 24 of last year, but his return date should become clearer as he progresses through his rehab process.

Flynn fell through the roof of his barn and suffered a broken rib, among other injuries, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

The injury will cause Flynn to miss up to eight weeks, so he will be headed to the disabled list for the start of the season. The 26-year-old posted a 2.60 ERA across 55.1 innings last season with the Royals.

McHugh won his arbitration hearing on Tuesday and will receive $3.85 million for the 2017 season, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

The Astros had proposed a $3.35 million salary for the upcoming season, but the arbiter rewarded McHugh for handling 150-plus innings in three straight seasons while posting an ERA under 3.90 in two of those three campaigns.

Farmer will stretch out as a starter in spring training, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Farmer made 20 starts at Triple-A Toledo last season, but he was primarily used as a reliever with the MLB club. The Detroit rotation will likely consist of Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd when camp breaks, meaning Farmer could start the year in Toledo again. He provides depth should other starters struggle or go down to injury.

VerHagen (shoulder) will work as a starter in spring training, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen has worked exclusively as a reliever the last two seasons for the Tigers, but he said he feels more comfortable starting. VerHagen likely won't crack Detroit's rotation to start the season, but his work during the spring could make him a guy the Tigers use for multiple innings of relief. He could also start the year in Triple-A Toledo's rotation.

Pomeranz (elbow) will throw off a mound Monday, the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reports.

This will mark the first time Pomeranz has thrown off a mound this offseason. He had a stem cell injection in his left elbow in October, which delayed his normal offseason throwing program. Pomeranz should have a spot in the Red Sox's rotation if he is fully healthy by Opening Day.

Crockett's chances of making the Opening Day roster were lessened by the recent signing of Logan Boone, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Crockett's rookie season didn't go well after he posted a 5.06 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 29 appearances for the Tribe last season. The signing of Boone now gives the team three viable southpaws in the bullpen behind Andrew Miller. Crockett, 25, will likely find himself at Triple-A Columbus to begin the 2017 campaign.

Kelly's defined role for 2017 will be as a reliever, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

After five years of tempting both the Cardinals and Red Sox as a potential starter, Kelly made the transition to full-time reliever during the second half of last season. The right-hander struck out 21 while allowing just two earned runs in 17.2 innings out of the pen. He and his high-90s fastball will be called on mostly for seventh-inning duty.

Zych (right shoulder biceps tendon transfer) is playing catch at spring training and expects to be throwing from 120 feet soon, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Zych continues to progress from his October surgery, and will likely be close to healthy by the end of spring training. The righty missed most of last season with rotator cuff tendinitis and will aim for a middle-relief bullpen role in 2017. He has a solid 2.81 ERA in 32 major league innings.

Chavez enters spring training as the front-runner to win the Angels' fifth starter job.

It would make sense for the club to give Chavez first crack at the job after they signed him to a $5.75 million contract this past offseason. The 33-year-old has pitched for three different clubs over the past two years, posting ERAs north of four at each stop. While the ERA likely lands him in the streamer category in standard leagues, Chavez's solid strikeout rate last season (8.46 K/9) and his new pitcher-friendly ballpark could make him a decent option in deep and AL-only formats.