MLB Player News

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago is channeling his confidence to give him an inside edge for a rotation spot this season, according to the Los Angeles Times. He has allowed six earned runs in 12 innings of work in Cactus League play.

"They know what I can and I know what I can do," Santiago said. "It's that confidence where you just believe in yourself, and you believe in them for believing in you."

The left-hander went 6-9 with a 3.75 ERA over 24 starts last season. He won five of seven decisions and posted a 2.98 ERA in the second half of the season, which helped Los Angeles clinch a division title.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday pitcher Adam Warren is the favorite to win the final spot in the team's rotation, per MLB.com. Cashman indicated Warren has a huge lead in the race over the remaining candidates -- Esmil Rogers, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Whitley and Scott Baker.

"There is a Secretariat in the field," Cashman said, per the New York Post. "Right now, Warren’s got a big lead in this, but we don’t have to make that decision right now. As of right now, if we made the call today, it would be Warren."

Warren is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA through four spring starts. He has allowed four runs on 13 hits and no walks in 13 innings, while striking out six.

Astros reliever Josh Fields will not throw off a mound for a few days after suffering a right groin strain Monday, manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday. Fields will throw off flat ground, however, per the Houston Chronicle.

Hinch added at this point it is still possible for Fields to be ready by Opening Day.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore will resume throwing this week following a scheduled two-week break in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He will throw a bullpen session Friday, per The Tampa Tribune.

Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances has lost a touch of speed on his fastball this spring. Betances has allowed three runs on six hits in five innings of work, including a run off a leadoff walk Tuesday.

"There’s no concern for me now,'' manager Joe Girardi said to ESPN.com. "If it was to go on for a long time you’d be concerned, but he wasn’t throwing 97 at this time last year, he wasn’t, and power pitchers usually take a little bit longer to get going."

Betances isn't holding anything back for the regular season.

"No, not at all," he said. "I gotta just trust whatever I have right now. I know that the velocity will come. Same thing last year in spring training; last year I just trusted it and this year I’m trying to do a little extra with whatever I have instead of just trusting it."

Girardi knows there is a long way to go.

"It's a long year," Girardi said. "We got a long ways to go, so we’ll keep his work consistent with what we've done this spring training.

"So, I mean it’s going to be really close to 12 innings. He’ll be ready to go."

Yankees pitcher Esmil Rogers struggled to get batters out Tuesday, allowing five runs on five hits in three innings against the Tigers.

Rogers, who added two walks and two strikeouts in the start, knew he didn't have it, according to MLB.com.

"Not great," Rogers said. "It was one of those bad days when everything didn't work."

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz is dealing slight tightness in his right hip that came up during warmups Tuesday, according to CSN California.

Pomeranz, who has posted a 2.00 ERA in three starts, has dealt with the issue in the past and said it doesn't normally last beyond a day.

"It never loosened up," Pomeranz said to MLB.com. "I thought it would and it didn't, so I was fighting myself, fighting my front side the whole day. Made it a little difficult to fill up the zone."

He went 2 2/3 innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits.

Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh racked up seven strikeouts in five innings during Tuesday's spring game against the Mets. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk.

McHugh gave up a two-run homer to David Wright in the third inning. He now has 4.96 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.

"I wanted to get the pitch count up," McHugh said to MLB.com. "We got up over 75 pitches, which is good. I probably have one more start -- maybe one of the exhibition games [in Houston] -- to get back up to that 100 plateau by the time the season starts. Getting five innings under my belt, getting through a lineup 2 1/2 times were all things I haven't done yet this spring. It's a good progression so far."

Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) will pitch in a minor-league game Friday and will be re-evaluated after the outing, MLB.com reports.

"And see how he responds," manager John Farrell said. "Not only in the game situation where there's going to be added adrenaline, probably increased velocity, but the up and down three times [Sunday], he felt fine coming out of that. There were no restrictions as far as pitches thrown or just getting warm multiple times. I don't anticipate him not being ready at this point, but we're just keeping the other scenario as an option."

The Red Sox could opt to carry four starters and eight relievers at the beginning of the season if the team determines Kelly needs to open the season on the disabled list.

Although Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) made it through his bullpen session Sunday unscathed, manager John Farrell indicated Monday the team could open the season with eight relievers since they won't need a fifth starter until April 15, per WEEI.com.

“I don’t anticipate him not being ready at this point, but we’re just keeping the other scenario as an option,” Farrell said. “I think that group has probably narrowed some, the guys in competition (for a spot in the bullpen). We’ll have more information to factor in by Saturday, which would include Kelly’s next outing. There’s one scenario that could have us break with eight relievers. And the first time we would need a fifth starter would be on the 15th. That’s all being factored into this as well.”