MLB Player News

Cubs manager David Ross said Thursday that he couldn't rule out Hughes (knee) requiring an IL stint, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hughes hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since March 16, and he acknowledged to reporters Thursday in Cubs camp that he's been battling lingering left knee inflammation for much of the spring. It's shown up in his production on the mound, as the 27-year-old left-hander has yielded three earned runs on five hits and three walks through four innings this spring. The hope is he can return to live action this weekend, but there's minimal margin for error with Opening Day just one week away.

Anderson could wind up being on the Opening Day roster with Raisel Iglesias set to begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

He already got optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, but Iglesias' injury changes the bullpen picture for Atlanta and opens up a spot. Anderson didn't pitch in the majors at all last year after undergoing elbow surgery in October 2021, but he has a career 39.6 percent strikeout rate in the majors over 87.1 innings and has posted an 11:1 K:BB over eight frames this spring. The 32-year-old could work his way into a high-leverage role once he shows he's all the way back, although A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez are expected to handle the bulk of the closing duties in Iglesias' absence.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Minter "obviously would be the obvious guy" to fill in at closer while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is sidelined, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Snitker did backtrack a bit after that, adding that "it may be a matchup scenario-type thing." Still, it seems telling that Minter is the first guy that came to mind when the manager was asked the question, likely putting him at the top of the pecking order. Joe Jimenez is probably next in line. Atlanta is hopeful that Iglesias will need only a minimum stay on the injured list.

Manager Brian Snitker indicated Thursday he hopes Iglesias (shoulder) will only require the minimum 15 days on the injured list, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade right shoulder inflammation after feeling off while playing catch Wednesday. He will be shut down for the next week before hopefully ramping things back up. "To get him right, we shut him down, will build him back and hopefully can get him sooner than later," Snitker said. A.J. Minter is the favorite to close games for Atlanta while Iglesias is out.

Burdi was reassigned Thursday to the minor-league side of Cubs camp, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi had issued five walks but allowed only one hit and zero runs through 4.2 innings this spring in the Cactus League. The 30-year-old right-hander will function as organizational relief depth for Chicago in 2023.

Hughes said Thursday he's been dealing with some discomfort in his left knee, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The injury explains why it has been a full week since Hughes last pitched in a Cactus League game. It doesn't sound like a significant issue, but any type of discomfort is concerning this close to Opening Day. The 27-year-old left-hander is expected to work in a high-leverage role out of the Cubs' bullpen this season, though Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger are thought to be the frontrunners for saves.

Misiewicz was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Misiewicz was acquired from the Royals in early February in exchange for cash considerations and will function as left-handed relief depth in the minors to begin the 2023 campaign. He holds a career 4.43 ERA and 105:31 K:BB in 103.2 total innings at the MLB level.

Jimenez might get some save opportunities with Atlanta while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is out.

A.J. Minter might be ahead of Jimenez in the pecking order, especially since Jimenez has been eased into things this spring following offseason back surgery. The former Tiger is considered healthy now, though, and was terrific in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 frames. It's possible Atlanta doesn't settle on one closer while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Raisel Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade shoulder inflammation Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, and Minter could be in line for some saves while the closer is sidelined.

Iglesias will be shut down for at least the next week while he deals with the shoulder issue. Minter has had a rough spring but remains the probable fill-in option for Iglesias after posting a brilliant 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings during 2022. Joe Jimenez is also a candidate.

Iglesias will begin the season on the injured list after he was diagnosed with low-grade inflammation in his right shoulder Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It seems relatively minor as far as shoulder injuries go, but Iglesias will be shut down from throwing for at least seven days in hopes that the soreness clears up. That would seem to indicate Iglesias could be sidelined for several weeks, though his return timeline at this point remains unclear. A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez are candidates to fill Atlanta's closer role while Iglesias is on the shelf.