Jay

Groome

Groome was suspended along with Athletics right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly, Diamondbacks left-hander Andrew Saalfrank, and Phillies infielder Jose Rodriguez for one year. The four players were found guilty of betting on the sport, but they weren’t on the roster or injured list of the team they bet on. That was not the case of Tucupita Marcano, who was banned for life for getting over $87,000 on that situation.

Groome is among San Diego’s first cuts this spring as he’ll open the season back in the minors as extra starting pitching depth. He’s still on the 40-man roster, so he figures to get a look at some point in the future for the Padres.

The 24-year-old southpaw did everything in his power to earn a spot on the Padres’ Opening Day roster this spring -- posting a 1.29 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 13/10 K/BB ratio over 14 innings in Cactus League play -- but ultimately he came up just short. He’ll open the season in the rotation at Triple-A El Paso and should get his shot with the big league club before long.

Groome scattered three hits on the afternoon while issuing three walks. The Royals threatened against him in the opening inning on a two-out walk by Nick Pratto and then a double by Franmil Reyes, but Groome was able to battle back to get Nate Eaton to ground out to end the threat. The 24-year-old has been unbelievable this spring -- hurling 10 2/3 scoreless innings with a 1.22 WHIP and 10 strikeouts.

Groome was considered one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in baseball a few years ago, but has stalled out in the upper levels of the minors. The 23-year-old lefty has posted a 3.59 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 96/45 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings (19 appearances, 17 starts) this season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He’s a decent lottery ticket for the Padres.

There aren’t any major surprises among the first round of cuts from Red Sox’ spring training. Perhaps the most notable is Seabold, who might’ve had a shot to crack the Opening Day roster in a relief role, but instead will open the regular season as extra starting pitching depth at Triple-A Worcester.

Hernandez has gotten off to a late start in Red Sox camp, but should be ready in time for Opening Day. The 24-year-old southpaw missed nearly the entire 2020 campaign after contracting COVID-19 and suffering a shoulder injury upon his late-summer return. Goome, 22, was once considered the organization’s top pitching prospect, but has missed significant time due to injuries.

The move protects the 22-year-old southpaw from being selected in the Rule-5 draft. Groome -- the 12th overall pick from the 2016 draft -- underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2018. He worked his way back at the end of the 2019 season, throwing four innings between the Red Sox rookie league club and Low-A Lowell. There’s still plenty of upside in this left-handed arm, but he’ll be brought along very cautiously in 2021.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that left-hander Jay Groome, right-handers Tanner Houck and Bryan Mata, and outfielder Jarren Duran will also be among the prospects invited to the team’s alternate training site. Downs was acquired from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts deal during the offseason and immediately become the team’s best prospect. He’s more likely looking at a 2021 debut.

Which is a pretty good indication that the two sides have agreed to terms, or are getting very very close. Groome fell to the Red Sox at No. 12 overall last month due to makeup and signability issues. The 17-year-old left-hander from New Jersey has already turned down a well-over-slot offer from the Sox, but it looks like the two sides will have something finalized soon.