MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Martinez (rib) is not a lock to start Saturday as previously anticipated, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Martinez has pitched through a rib issue in his last couple Cactus League appearances, but he was scratched from a scheduled start Thursday, throwing long toss instead. The pitcher doesn't feel any pain while on the mound but is in some discomfort doing day-to-day things. If Martinez does start Saturday, it could be in either a Cactus League game or a minor-league contest. The Reds are still confident he'll be ready for the start of the season.

Bednar (lat) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It will be his first time throwing from the bump since some right lat tightness cropped up at the beginning of the month. Bednar has not made an appearance in a Grapefruit League game this spring, but that seemingly should come soon if things go well Friday. He could still have time to ramp up for Opening Day, but it will be close.

Chargois (neck) will be shut down from throwing for at least a few more days, Christina De Nicola of MLB.comreports.

The right-hander didn't make his spring debut until Tuesday due to neck spasms, but he experienced issues after the appearance and has been shut down from throwing again after visiting a neck specialist. Given his lack of game action this spring, Chargois may require a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Ferrer was diagnosed with a strain of the teres major muscle Friday and will be shut down for three weeks before being reevaluated, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.comreports.

The left-hander was limited to just one appearance during spring training due to the injury and will now begin the season on the injured list. Ferrer will require a ramp-up period after being shut down for multiple weeks, so he's likely to be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Reds on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The move appears to be in direct response to Alex Young (back) needing a stint on the injured list to begin the season. Wilson recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Dodgers after striking out nine and allowing two runs over four spring innings. The 36-year-old last appeared in the majors with the Reds in 2022 before needing Tommy John surgery.

Young will begin the season on the injured list after having a setback with his back injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Young made his spring debut earlier this week but didn't retire a single batter while allowing five earned runs. As it turns out, he was still probably compromised physically and an IL stint is in the offing. It's not clear how long Young will be out, but the Reds moved quickly to replace him in the bullpen by signing Justin Wilson on Friday.

Warren (elbow) will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It's the next step for Warren as he continues the long road back from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be sidelined until around midseason.

Small will be sidelined for several weeks after being diagnosed with a moderate right oblique strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Small had been in the running to win a spot in the Giants' bullpen, but he'll likely begin the season on the IL instead. The southpaw was acquired via trade from the Brewers last month.

Hjelle (elbow) will begin a throwing program Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hjelle was shut down for a week after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. While the hope is that he will able to avoid surgery on the elbow, it's no sure thing as he attempts to ramp back up.

Bummer gave up a run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, Bummer has been touched for runs in three of his five appearances this spring and has a 7.20 ERA, but he's largely been working later innings with minor-league defenders behind him. A better indication of how his camp has gone might come from his 5:0 K:BB through five innings. The 30-year-old could be the top lefty in the Atlanta bullpen to begin the year if A.J. Minter (finger) and Tyler Matzek (side) aren't ready for Opening Day, but regardless of where Bummer slots in the pecking order for setup duties, there should be plenty of leads to protect for a team that's won over 100 games each of the last two seasons.