MLB Player News

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman will see a doctor Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Chapman has not been exercising since he was hit in the face by a come-backer during spring training. He said he feels great, though. Chapman was expected to miss between four and six weeks with the injury.

The Reds have placed both Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton on the 15-day disabled list.

The news shouldn't come as a surprise for either player. Chapman is expected to be out until May after being hit in the face during a spring game. Broxton needs more time to recover from forearm surgery. Broxton could pick up some saves if he returns to action before Chapman.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez hit the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

The move is backdated to March 27, but Hernandez isn't expected to return any time soon. He'll have a second opinion on his elbow Monday, but the initial diagnosis was a torn UCL. Hernandez posted a 4.48 ERA in 62 1/3 innings last year.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez will get a second opinion with Dr. James Andrews Monday after being diagnosed with a torn UCL, FOXSportsArizona.com reports.

Hernandez will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday unless he gets a positive result in his doctor's visit the previous day. The Diamondbacks are almost certain to lose a pitcher who went 5-6 with a 4.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings last season.

A torn UCL sustained by Diamondbacks relief pitcher David Hernandez will probably require season-ending Tommy John surgery, per FoxSports.com, which is further reporting that a second MRI that reveals the same problem will clinch the need for the procedure.

The loss of Hernandez, whose fastball was peaking at 95 mph recently, could severely impact the Arizona bullpen. He was slated to serve as the setup man for new closer Addison Reed. That job is now likely to be given to J.J. Putz.

Hernandez regressed in 2013 after two fine seasons as a short reliever and part-time closer the previous two years, during which he struck out 175 in 130 2/3 innings and posted a 2.94 ERA.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez has been diagnosed with a torn UCL, according to FoxSports.com.

Hernandez had a MRI on his arm, which revealed the injury. Hernandez will seek a second opinion. Hernandez posted a 4.48 ERA in 62 1/3 innings last year.

The fifth spot in the Marlins rotation has been handed to right-hander Tom Koehler, but left-hander Brad Hand should get a big hand as well. He made the team as a reliever.

Koehler earned the spot by yielding just three earned runs in 18 innings this spring. Hand clinched one Thursday by hurling four shutout innings against St. Louis. He surrendered just two hits and one walk while striking out two.

A disappointing spring has motivated the Mets to option right-handed reliever Vic Black to the minors.

Black earned minor league all-star spots in both of the last two seasons, during which time he struck out 148 batters in 106 2/3 innings. The Mets were hopeful that the 25-year-old Black would take the next step up this year, but he will not break camp with the team.

Even though no one of any real authority has confirmed it, J.J. Hoover appears to be the top choice for saves in Cincinnati with both Aroldis Chapman (head) and Jonathan Broxton (forearm) sidelined for the foreseeable future.

So just how much of a priority is he in Fantasy? In terms of ability, I think he's a good fit for the role. He throws hard, and it shows up in his strikeout and hit rates, which isn't true for every hard-throwing reliever. He also seemed to turn the corner after some early struggles last year, allowing just five earned runs over his final 41 appearances for a 1.14 ERA.

But again, the job isn't for sure his. The most manager Bryan Price has offered is that he'll be part of a committee to begin the season (which never lasts, but he may not be the one to emerge). Plus, it's not like Chapman is out forever. At worst, he'll probably return by the All-Star break.

For that reason, I'm ranking Hoover behind other first-year closers like Nate Jones and Tommy Hunter and even behind a non-closer in Rex Brothers, who should take the job and run with it sooner than later in Colorado. I like Hoover better than anything Houston's closer committee has to offer, though.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller gave up three earned runs on three hits and three walks in five innings and struck out four in his team's 5-3 loss to the Mets Monday.

Miller has dealt with control issues recently, walking three batters in each of his last two starts and giving up three earned runs in each. He owns a 5.93 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings this spring.