MLB Player News

Betances has yet to allow a run while striking out four over 2.1 innings in three appearances this spring.

Betances had another terrific campaign last season, working to a 1.50 ERA and maintaining an impressive 14.0 K/9 en route to earning his second straight All Star appearance. He's been asked to shoulder a heavy workload in the past, pitching 174 innings over the last two seasons, but the offseason arrival of Alrodis Chapman should work to lighten the load a bit. Chapman's 30-game suspension to start the season could open up the door for Betances to get some save opportunities in the early goings, but he'll likely remain behind Andrew Miller in the pecking order to finish out games.

Andriese (abdomen) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Andriese was scratched from his scheduled spring start Sunday with the injury, but he was able to play catch Monday and should get back up on the mound Tuesday, so it does not appear he is dealing with any sort of long-term setback.

Harvey was reassigned to minor league camp Monday, one day after allowing five runs while retiring two batters, MASN Sports reports.

Harvey saved his worst outing for last, as he struggled in his final spring outing. He did face regulars in the Twins lineup, but the result was poor for Harvey. Look for the Orioles to start him off in High-A this spring. He could make it to Double-A later in the season.

Merritt was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Merritt will begin the year where he concluded the 2015 season as he remains on somewhat of a longer-term developmental timeline. The 24-year-old went 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and six walks in five Triple-A starts in 2015.

VerHagen is almost a sure bet to crack Detroit's Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen, but his role is still up in the air, reports MLive.com.

"He could do anything," manager Brad Ausmus said. "If he pitches like we think he can, he could probably pitch and spell one of our back-end guys for a day if they needed a rest. He also has the ability to pitch multiple innings, if we needed to get from the fifth to the seventh." It's clear Ausmus will keep VerHagen in a relief role and he could be a source of holds this season.

Johnson is doing away with his cutter in favor of a slider, a pitch he threw in college at Florida, the Providence Journal reports. "The first day I threw [the slider] live to hitters with [Blake] Swihart, he said, 'That's good. That's 100 times better than the cutter. I could even see you throwing it much more confidently,'" Johnson said. "When someone sees it and that's the first time they've caught you since early last year, that's reassuring."

Aside from replacing his cutter, Johnson's main goal is to make it through 2016 spring training healthy after suffering nerve irritation in his left elbow last August. So far, the managerial staff is pleased where Johnson stands at this stage of camp. "Our goal for Brian is to get through spring training, go through a normal progression in getting stretched out with no ill effects, and we're well into that right now," manager John Farrell said. "The velocity may not be what it was last year at this time, still his arm is working much more clean and free."

Smith (back) threw a bullpen session Sunday and will probably be back in a game by Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Smith threw two perfect innings with two strikeouts before getting sidelined with back spasms and is progressing towards a return to the field. He remains part of a deep group for setup duties in the Red Sox's bullpen.

May, who is competing for a spot in the Twins' rotation, may be out of the running after he allowed four runs in 2.2 innings Saturday, the Pioneer Press reports.

May was scheduled to go four innings, but was pulled early after 55 pitches and had difficulty locating his fast ball. Manager Paul Molitor said they'll get a look at two other pitchers competing for the same rotation spot -- Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey -- over the next two days and then reevaluate Tuesday on how they want to proceed.

Hultzen (shoulder) was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Hultzen competed for a big-league job this spring, but his pursuit was slowed by a shoulder injury that will keep him on the sidelines a while longer, and this move confirms that he will not break camp with the big club. His season figures to begin with Triple-A Tacoma.

Webb (hamstring) threw a perfect inning against the Yankees on Saturday.

Five pitches was all Webb needed to complete the frame, and he hasn't needed more than 11 pitches to complete any of his four innings this spring. Webb dealt with some hamstring tightness early in camp, but that's a distant memory now. He appears in line to fill one of the Rays' final bullpen spots.