MLB Player News

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.

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

Miller has a 4.63 ERA in spring but has a sharp 11-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Miller's stuff -- a mid-90s fastball that reaches 97 at times and a plus curveball -- make him one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball, and his potential is likely the reason he is likely to win the job over Kelly.

The Padres have optioned pitcher Brad Boxberger to Triple-A Tucson, according to MLB.com. Boxberger allowed four runs in eight innings this spring.

Mets pitching prospect Rafael Montero gave up four hits, three of them singles, over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of a 3-1 victory over Washington in Grapefruit League play Saturday. Montero, who will start the season in the minor leagues, struck out three and walked one during his third exhibition outing.

"I saw much better velocity than I saw early, better command of his breaking balls than I did early," manager Terry Collins said. "I hope he really continues to work hard with his changeup. He's got an outstanding change in the making."

After Christian Friedrich struggled in Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants, the Denver Post reported that Drew Pomeranz has emerged as the clear leader for the fifth spot in the rotation. Barring something unforeseen, the Rockies would have to make an addition from outside the organization for Pomeranz to not have a chance to open the season in the rotation.

Pomeranz was rated as the No. 30 overall prospect in baseball by Baseball America as recently as last offseason, however he was unimpressive in 96 2/3 innings in the majors in 2012. He posted a 4.93 ERA in 22 starts, however he still put up a 2.51 ERA in 46 2/3 innings in Triple-A Colorado Springs. Pomeranz has a 5.50 ERA in 18 innings this spring. 

The Reds finally put the Aroldis Chapman question to bed Friday, announcing that he would return to the closer's role he was so effective in last season. Chapman has been lobbying to return to the bullpen, rather than be a member of the rotation as the team had planned. The 22-year-old did not close the door on possibly returning to the rotation in future years, despite the move.

“I think I’m still young and there are still a lot of years ahead in my career where I can be a starter again,” Chapman told MLB.com Friday. “I’m happy to be a closer now. I’m here in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the team that I want and I will do what they want. If they want me to be a closer, I’m happy to be a closer.”

Chapman appeared in Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers in relief, tossing a scoreless sixth inning, with one strikeout and a hit allowed. His velocity was reportedly in the upper 90's where he usually sat as a reliever, after some concerns during his starting opportunities.

Chapman was borderline unhittable as a closer last season, posting a 1.51 ERA and 38 saves in 71 2/3 innings, with 122 strikeouts. 

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez allowed one run and three hits over four innings during Pittsburgh's 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay in a Grapefruit League contest Friday. Gomez walked one batter and struck out two during his fifth appearance (second start) of the spring. The right-hander is still under consideration for the No. 5 starter spot, but more likely has a shot at a bullpen job since he is out of minor-league options.

"My release was very good," Gomez said. "Early in the game, I didn't feel as good as I felt in the bullpen. But it got better later in the game."

With the Reds confirming earlier reports that Aroldis Chapman would close instead start in 2013, I actually moved the hard-throwing lefty up a spot in my Rotisserie rankings, slotting him between Craig Kimbrel and Kris Medlen at relief pitcher.

Maybe his ultimate ceiling would be higher as a starter, but he was a risky Fantasy option in the role. He hasn't gotten much more starting experience since coming over from Cuba, and given his past control issues and the caution the Reds likely would have exercised with him, a relatively high WHIP and a bunch of early hooks would have probably been in his future.

As a closer, we know exactly what to expect from Chapman: Kimbrel, basically.

Mike Leake, who will likely fill the spot vacated by Chapman, moves up the rankings as well, but his continued hittability at the major-league level keeps him in about the Ricky Nolasco range.

After weeks of skirting the issue, the Reds officially confirmed pitcher Aroldis Chapman will serve as the team's closer for the upcoming season, CBSSports.com Senior Baseball Columnist Scott Miller reports. Since the end of last year, Chapman was being considered for the starting rotation and prepared for a possible move during spring training.

However, the team will keep the hard-throwing left-hander in the bullpen after he collected 38 saves with an astonishing 122 strikeouts in 68 games last season. Mike Leake is expected to serve as the fifth starter for Cincinnati.

General manager Walt Jocketty said Friday there was no debate leading up to the decision and using Chapman in the ninth inning gives the Reds the best chance to win now.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz was hit hard again in Thursday's outing against the Giants. Pomeranz, who made his fourth start of the spring, allowed a run-scoring single to Ryan Cavan in the second and another run-scoring single to Buster Posey in the third. He was charged with three runs on 10 hits in five innings of work. He also struck out four and issued two walks as his ERA went from 5.54 to 5.50 this spring.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said there’s been no decision made concerning Aroldis Chapman’s role this year. Jocketty’s statement disputes an earlier report, which suggested the team would announce Chapman would move to the bullpen.

Chapman was one of the best relievers in baseball last season but has been working as a starter during the spring. He expressed interest in remaining in the closer role last week. 

Keep an eye on the situation moving forward, as his role will impact his value this season.