MLB Player News

Fulmer was selected to the United States' designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic.

After a breakout rookie season, Fulmer has put himself on the map at a high level. A team can use up to 10 designated pitchers but can't have more than two on its active roster at a time, meaning Fulmer's role on the squad could fluctuate from round to round. He's not listed as active for the initial games in the tournament, but could become active before the next round.

Smith will spend spring training competing with a stable of arms for one of just two openings in the team's bullpen, MLB.com reports.

To call Smith the underdog in this race would be an understatement, as the 28-year-old right-hander will be the only one in the group without MLB experience. In 2016, Smith saved a career-high 15 games while posting a 1.93 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 81 strikeouts in 60.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Even if he survives camp, Smith won't hold much fantasy value as he'd be limited to low-leverage situations.

Mengden underwent right foot surgery after fracturing a bone during a bullpen session, Susan Slusser of The San Fransisco Chronicle reports.

Mengden, who was competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, will be in a walking boot for six weeks and there is no timetable for his return to action. The right-hander finished his rookie season 2-9 with a 6.50 ERA, but showed signs of improvement as the year progressed. Mengden's injury means Andrew Triggs will likely be the fifth starter for Oakland.

Jimenez is likely to start the season in the minors but could get called up at some point, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez climbed all the way from Class A Advanced Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo during an outstanding 2016 season, and it earned him an invitation to major league camp this spring. GM Al Avila said the organization wants Jimenez to spend more time in the minors before he gets the call, but in Detroit's subpar bullpen, that call could come sooner rather than later. Jimenez projects as a potential closer down the road.

Adams was designated for assignment by the Indians on Tuesday, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

A spot was needed with Boone Logan's signing becoming official and Adams was the roster casualty. The 30-year-old struggled to a 9.82 ERA in 19 appearances with the Indians last season, but he had a 41:9 K:BB in 37.2 innings at Triple-A and he can pump his fastball in at over 96 mph on average. Adams figures to draw interest while on waivers.

Mahle will compete for a spot in the bullpen this spring.

Mahle's big league debut didn't go as he had planned, finishing with a 5.40 ERA and a mediocre 1.40 K/BB ratio. He will have to do a better job at limiting the walks while throwing a fastball that sits in the high 80s. Despite the disappointing debut, Mahle will compete for a back of the bullpen job due to the Angels' lack of organizational arms.

Barnes led Boston's bullpen with 62 appearances in 2016. He finished with a 4.05 ERA while striking out 71 and walking 31 in 66.2 innings.

Barnes had one really bad month, skewing his overall numbers, but he was entrusted in high-leverage situations, inheriting 51 runners (ninth in MLB) and stranded 40 of them. He should remain in a middle-relief role with stretches of set up work in 2017.

Zagurski signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.

Following a two-year stint in Japan, Zagurski, 34, will head back to the States with the hope of making it back to the majors. Zagurski, who last appeared in the big leagues in 2013, has made 89 career MLB appearances, splitting time between the Phillies, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Pirates. He'll face long odds of breaking camp with the Tigers and may need to pitch well at the Triple-A level before he has a realistic chance of hitting the majors.

Kahnle enters spring training as one of several relievers looking to grab a spot in middle relief for the White Sox. In 29 games last season, the right-hander had a 2.63 ERA in 27.1 innings over 29 appearances.

Kahnle was one of several young relief pitchers to get a look in 2016 thanks to injuries to Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka. While the ERA suggests Kahnle had a successful season, his 4.46 FIP indicates something else entirely. He was able to dodge the potential danger of having walked 6.6 batters per nine innings. Even during his most dominant stretch of the season -- he allowed just one run and seven hits over the final 17.2 innings of the season -- Kahnle walked 10 with an unsustainable .175 BABIP. It all suggests he was a bit lucky and is not going to be put in high-leverage situations anytime soon.

Beck will be one of several relievers looking to fill out the White Sox bullpen in 2017.

Beck, a minor league starter who began to transition to the bullpen in 2016, had a couple of stints in Chicago's bullpen last season, but was barely perceptible on fantasy radars. Lefty batters raked against him (1.115 OPS) and his control was putrid (6.0 BB/9). The team is pretty much set in the rotation and has several recent draftees and prospects that have moved ahead of Beck in terms of starting depth. If he's to head north with the White Sox in April, it will be as a reliever.