MLB Player News

Minter (finger) is expected to make a Grapefruit League appearance soon, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 29 because of a cut on his left index finger, but the laceration is nearly totally healed. The left-handed reliever made two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances last month and has plenty of time to ramp back up for Opening Day.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Mercado, whom the Phillies acquired from the Rays in November, occupies a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster but has yet to make his big-league debut. He'll likely occupy a spot in Lehigh Valley's bullpen and will look to distinguish himself with the hope of earning a call-up to the Phillies.

Junis started and threw four scoreless innings in Sunday's exhibition contest. He did not allow a hit, hit a batter and posted a 3:2 K:BB in the contest.

Junis was tagged for four earned runs over 2.0 innings in his spring debut, but the results were much better his second time out, even though only 33 of the 56 pitches he tossed were strikes. Junis will occupy a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the team, and he is pushing to break camp in the starting rotation.

The Nationals optioned Willingham to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Willingham was unable to secure a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen after he was roughed up for three earned runs on four hits in three innings over his first three outings in the Grapefruit League. The right-hander had little margin for error in the job battle after he languished in a middle-relief role over his 18 outings for the big club during the 2023 season, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 24.1 innings.

Middleton (personal) is listed among the Cardinals' available relievers for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

While it's unclear if St. Louis plans on having Middleton work behind starter Miles Mikolas on Monday, the fact that Middleton is on the lineup card is an indication that he's reported back to camp after taking some time away from the Cardinals late last week to tend to a personal matter.

Montas will start for the Reds on Opening Day against the Nationals, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell's announcement that Montas will get the nod over Hunter Greene comes as a bit of a surprise, but walks have been an issue for Greene this spring, while Montas has made a good early impression after the Reds shelled out $14 million to acquire his services this offseason. Montas underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery last year and missed almost the entire 2023 campaign, returning for only a single appearance on the final weekend. He made a combined 59 starts between Oakland and New York from 2021-22.

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Gage appeared in four games with the Dodgers this spring, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four batters over four innings. The southpaw pitched in five games with the Astros in 2023, producing a 2.70 ERA with eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings, and he'll look to earn a call-up to the major-league roster with Los Angeles down the road.

Matzek wasn't available for Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Orioles in the Grapefruit League after experiencing tightness around his left rib cage, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek pushed to pitch Saturday, but the Atlanta training and coaching staffs ultimately decided to hold him out as a matter of precaution. Assuming Matzek's injury isn't a lingering concern that prevents him from getting back on the mound within the next few days, he should be in good position to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar (lat) played catch for the second straight day and that everything felt good, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bednar was shut down from throwing activities March 4 after feeling tightness in his lats, but the right-hander appears to be on the right track in his rehab. If Bednar is forced to miss time to start the season, Aroldis Chapman figures to fill the closer role while the former progresses through his recovery.

Williams is dealing with a sore back and will get a second opinion from a spine specialist in the coming week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin adds that Williams had an MRI on his back this past week. He'll continue to take time off as a precaution until he is assessed by a back specialist this week. Williams tallied 36 saves in 40 tries last season while posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB over 58.2 innings.