MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Trevor May is an "intriguing candidate" for the rotation's fifth spot, but will have a tough time beating out veterans Tommy Milone and Mike Pelfrey, reports MLB.com. The 6-foot-5 right-hander says he's in the best shape of his life and is looking to build off a solid finish to last season.

In May's last start, against Detroit, he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning seven over six innings.

"Toward the end, I stayed taller and my stuff got better," said May, 25. "I got more swings and misses. The runs that were scoring were more in spurts. And the walks got better, too. I started pounding the zone better than I ever have."

May added he hopes the progress he showed "was enough to keep me in the conversation. But baseball is a business and some guys are on contracts. If you're going to throw as good as them and your stats are identical, they're going to get the job. But that's how it is and I know that. But my job doesn't change because of that. My job is to be in the best shape possible and compete for a spot."

May said he's willing to work out of the bullpen if he doesn't make the rotation.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore was able to throw 15 pitches off the mound Friday for the first time since last April, according to MLB.com.

Moore, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw two bullpen sessions last week from halfway up the mound.

"I think the biggest [positive] sign is that every day, we've been meeting our goals and still feeling strong at the end of the day," Moore said.

Moore, who went 17-4 in 2013 with a 3.29 ERA and 143 strikeouts, torn his UCL in his left arm in just his second start of 2014.

"I've had no frustration, no. Not with anything that has to do with going out here," Moore said, smiling. "I think the frustrating part was the initial getting on board with: 'This is what the next year is going to be like.'

"For the most part, I've tried to embrace the process to where it's not a frustrating thing. I understand this has to happen, and I understand I have a choice in what attitude I bring to the yard every day."

With David Robertson now with the White Sox, the Yankees have a big vacancy to fill at closer. The two leading candidates for the job are newcomer Andrew Miller and setup man Dellin Betances, but Betances indicated Wednesday he is not worried about what role he will have in 2015.

“I haven’t put too much mind into it. There’s people that have mentioned it,” Betances said, per NJ.com. “For me, I’m just going to try to do the same thing, whether it’s the seventh, eighth or ninth. I’m just going to try to take the same approach I did last year and not try to make too big a deal about who gets that job.”

The former top-100 prospect was a breakout player in 2014. The right-hander went 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA, one save and 22 holds in a career-high 70 appearances last season. He made the All-Star team, as well as struck out 135 batters in 90 innings.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore is targeting a June return, according to MLB.com.

Moore underwent Tommy John surgery last season, but was able to throw off a mound for the first time on Tuesday. Moore said he's hoping he can return to a major-league mound in June. "I hope June, [to pitch] in a Major League game, he said. "I think that's about right -- 14 months [after the surgery]. So we should know a lot more in the next month as I start to get on the hill and things have a chance to respond."

Moore started just two games last season before undergoing surgery.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore took a significant step forward in his receovery from Tommy John surgery when he threw off a mound Tuesday, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

"It felt pretty good," Moore said.

Moore had the surgery in April and said he is pleased with the progress he has made.

"I would have thought a while ago I would have been nervous, but I was looking forward to it," Moore said. "And I felt like I had a lot more that could have come out. That's a feeling I've had the last month or so, and that's a feeling I like to have. I think we're in a good spot right now."

The White Sox announced Thursday they signed 15 players to minor-league contracts, which included invites to spring training.

The 15 players were pitchers Jairo Asencio, Scott Carroll, Jesse Crain, Logan Kensing, Arcenio Leon, J.D. Martin, Brad Penny, Zach Phillips, Joe Savery, catchers George Kottaras and Geovany Soto, infielders Juan Diaz and Andy LaRoche, and outfielders Tony Campana and Michael Taylor. 

With the addition of Yovani Gallardo, there is one less spot open in the Rangers' rotation. Derek Holland, Yu Darvish and Colby Lewis are also expected to be in the rotation, therefore the last spot could go to either Ross Detwiler, Nick Martinez, Nick Tepesch or Lisalverto Bonilla, per MLB.com.

"There is definitely a spot open," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "You have to seize the opportunity. Nobody is given a job and once you earn a job, you still have to earn the right to stay here."

The Indians have reached on-year agreements with reliever Bryan Shaw and starter Josh Tomlin on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Shaw has settled for $1.55 million, while Tomlin settled for $1.5 million, per MLB.com.

The Royals announced a couple of roster moves on Friday, per the team's official website. The team announced they signed right-hander Louis Coleman and left-hander Tim Collins to one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration with both players. According to the Kansas City Star, Collins signed for $1.475 million, and Coleman signed for $725,000.

The Angels have avoided arbitration with pitcher Hector Santiago, confirms CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The agreement was initially reported by MLB.com.

Santiago is set to receive $2.29 million next season. The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.75 ERA over 127 1/3 innings.