MLB Player News

I find it funny Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz actually has a worse ERA on the road (5.77) than at hitter-friendly Coors Field (4.35) in his career. And he's let up more homers on the road (eight in 13 starts) than at home (six in 13 starts). Usually, you see the splits skewed significantly higher toward Coors Field, but it seems pitching in the altitude has Pomeranz so screwed up he brings his bad tendencies on the road.

Pomeranz's biggest problem is his control. He averaged 3.5 walks per nine innings this spring, averages 4.0 walks per nine innings in 26 major-league starts and averages 3.5 walks per nine innings in 30 minor-league starts. It's easier to get away with putting runners on base in the minors as major-league hitters are better at capitalizing on mistakes. 

Much like I wrote about Jacob Turner, I feel Pomeranz would benefit from more time in the minors because he clearly has some mechanical issues to iron out. I like Pomeranz over Turner as a long-term keeper because of his strikeout potential. I feel his value would rise if dealt to a team with a pitcher-friendly home ballpark, but I think Pomeranz has the talent to thrive in Colorado and I'm not ready to write off the 24-year-old hurler.

The Rockies optioned pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Triple-A Colorado Springs Monday, according to the Denver Post.

Pomeranz was a candidate for a rotation spot in the majors, but Colorado filled that need by signing Jon Garland.

Pomeranz went 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA in five outings during the Cactus League.

MLB.com reports Shelby Miller has beat out Joe Kelly for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

Kelly allowed two runs on two hits over two innings of work in Monday's Cactus League appearance against the Twins.

The 24-year-old has a 5.54 ERA in five outings this spring and is expected to serve in long relief to begin the year for St. Louis.

MLB.com reports Shelby Miller has beat out Joe Kelly for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

Miller made his fifth appearance of the Grapefruit League on Monday against the Twins and allowed just one run on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander also struck out two and walked two while lowering his spring ERA to 3.94.

Miller, 22, could make his first start of the regular season in the fifth game or on April 10.

Cardinals rotation candidate Shelby Miller didn't get off to a good start on Monday in a Grapefruit League outing against the Twins. He finished strong, however, and may have cemented a spot in the rotation. 

Miller gave up a run in the first inning but that was all he would allow over 4 1/3 frames. He surrendered just the one run on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts and his ERA on the spring is now at 3.94. 

Joe Kelly, also in the running for the final rotation spot, pitched the sixth and seventh innings and allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk. His spring ERA is now at 5.54. 

Miller may have done enough Monday to secure the starting nod, while Kelly appears destined to pitch in long relief to open the year for the Red Birds. Look for Miller to appear next in a minor league game Saturday with Kelly heading to Arizona with the rest of the club.

The Cardinals have not decided when Miller, if he does win the No. 5 spot, would make his first start of the regular season. It could either come in the fifth game or on April 10. 

The Cardinals still must decide who the No. 5 starter role will go to and that decision could come Monday, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Shelby Miller starts Monday against the Twins in Fort Myers and Joe Kelly, the other possibility, will appear in relief. 

Miller could take the job with a solid performance, but if he struggles and Kelly pitches well that could change things. With closer Jason Motte's availability in question to begin the year, the Cardinals have extra space in the bullpen for a long reliever, a role which both Kelly or Miller could fill. 

Whichever pitcher gets the starting nod will remain in Jupiter to appear in a minor-league game Saturday. The reliever will head to Arizona with the team Friday. St. Louis has yet to decide if the No. 5 starter will start the fifth game of the season or if they will wait for the turn to come up on April 10. 

Drew Pomeranz will likely begin the season in the minors after the Rockies signed Jon Garland, the Denver Post reports. 

Garland pitched with the Mariners during the spring, but left the team after it was clear they were going another direction in the rotation. Pomeranz is likely headed to the minors, but could be used a long reliever out of the major-league club’s bullpen. 

Last season, the 24-year-old had a 4.93 ERA and a 4.81 FIP in 96 2/3 innings with the team.

Padres pitcher Anthony Bass still wants to start in the major leagues. That said, from the start of spring training he's agreed to pitch in a relief role for San Diego this season, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. 

"Eventually," Bass said Sunday, clearly placing the emphasis on his first word, "I want to be a starting pitcher. I see myself as a starting pitcher."

But when manager Bud Black asked him whether he'd prefer to start at Triple-A or pitch in relief in San Diego, Bass decided he wanted to remain with the big club. Now, he'll have a versatile role for the Padres this season. 

"Anthony is the only pitcher on our staff who can start, come out of the bullpen in long relief or pitch in the seventh or eighth inning in a key spot," Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley said. "There is a lot of versatility there."

The 25-year-old hurler has allowed three earned runs over 11 spring innings thus far for an ERA of 2.45 with 10 strikeouts. 

Cardinals starting pitcher prospect Shelby Miller has taken Fantasy owners on quite the ride this spring.

He saw a spike in Fantasy value after the news emerged Chris Carpenter was set to sit out the 2013 season due to injury. Miller was then considered the favorite to take Carpenter's rotation spot and Fantasy owners were reaching for the young right-hander hurler. 

Miller then saw a drop in value after he struggled in his first few spring outings and Joe Kelly was cruising. Now, Miller is once again considered the front-runner as he is surging late in the spring and Kelly is struggling.

Kudos to those Fantasy owners who weren't afraid to reach for Miller when he was struggling this spring. It seems your gamble could end up paying off. Miller has the upside to be an impact arm in 2013 and his relief-pitcher eligibility in Head-to-Head formats is a bonus.

With the news Miller is back out in front, I think it's safe to view him as a mid-round Fantasy sleeper again.

Joe Kelly trails Cardinals top pitching prospect Shelby Miller leads in the club's fifth starter competition heading into what will be the deciding game on Monday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Kelly and Miller will each throw Monday against Minnesota, and the decision will be made following the game.

Kelly owns a 4.91 ERA in 11 spring innings so far and has walked five batters against just two strikeouts. Though Miller only has a 4.63 ERA himself, the top prospect's potential is likely the deciding factor.

Expect Kelly to make the Cardinals' bullpen.