MLB Player News

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Junk had appeared headed overseas earlier this offseason, but he wound up sticking in the Brewers organization and will report to Nashville to begin the season. The 28-year-old should be part of Nashville's rotation.

Moll allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Monday's spring game against the Giants.

Moll, who was delayed by left shoulder soreness, made his spring debut Monday. Despite the results, Moll is a lock for a bullpen spot provided he can build up over the next week.

Montas allowed one run on three hits while striking out five over four innings in Monday's spring start against San Francisco.

Montas elicited sighs of relief, delivering a strong outing after surrendering four runs in each of his previous two Cactus League starts. The lone run scored on a misplayed grounder up the middle. A wavering breaking ball was the main culprit in his previous outing, but Montas was able to locate the pitch better Monday, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Montas will have one more start before taking the ball Opening Day, March 28, at home against the Nationals.

Nelson (groin) allowed one walk over a scoreless and hitless inning in Monday's spring game against Oakland.

Nelson was held back for eight days while dealing with a groin injury, but manager Torey Lovullo never deemed the injury serious enough to impact the pitcher's availability for Opening Day. Nelson is expected to fill a middle-relief role for the Diamondbacks, as he's done each of the last two seasons.

Jarvis is still in the mix for the fifth starter job, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gilbert re-examined the competition for the No. 5 job after the Diamondbacks optioned Slade Cecconi to minor-league camp Monday. Cecconi was seen as part of a three-man grouping that also includes Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson, but Jarvis has been building up innings despite not making a Cactus League start. The right-hander was up to 3.1 innings his last time out, when Jarvis allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five without ceding a run. The conventional thought is that Nelson is the leader at this stage of spring.

Imanaga appears on track to start the Cubs' home opener April 1 versus the Rockies, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Justin Steele will get the ball on Opening Day in Texas on March 28, potentially followed by Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks. Imanaga would then be in line to make his MLB debut when the Cubs kick off a six-game homestand to begin April. The Japanese lefty has posted a 4.66 ERA in three spring starts, but his 19 strikeouts over 9.2 innings showcase the type of potential he possesses in his first season in North America.

Moll (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Moll came into camp behind schedule after feeling some left shoulder soreness during his offseason throwing program. He's been cleared for game action, though, and the Reds believe he can ramp up in time for Opening Day. Assuming health, Moll should be one of the team's key left-handed relievers.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Martinez (ribs) is locked into a rotation spot, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

That's assuming Martinez's rib issue is indeed minor as the team suspects. He joins Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft in the rotation, with Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) in the mix for the fifth spot, at least until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is ready. Signed to a two-year, $26 million contract in November, Martinez officially has just five Cactus League innings under his belt this spring but has yielded only one unearned run with a 7:1 K:BB over that time. Just nine of Martinez's 63 appearances last season came as a starter, but he posted a 2.32 ERA and 37:18 K:BB over 42.2 frames in those outings.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Kerkering is still rebuilding his strength after a bout with the flu and might not be ready for Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kerkering hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since March 1 and is still working on regaining his stamina. While the illness is not a long-term concern, it has limited him to just two outings this spring and the Phillies don't want to rush the young reliever back. If Kerkering does have to wind up missing some time, he shouldn't be out long.

The Reds reassigned Kriske to minor-league camp Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kriske struck out seven and pitched to a 3.60 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over five innings during Cactus League play, but those solid numbers weren't enough for him to win a spot in the Reds' Opening Day bullpen. The 30-year-old journeyman reliever has made 20 career appearances in the big leagues over parts of three seasons with the Yankees, Orioles and Royals, logging a 11.22 ERA over 21.2 innings.