MLB Player News

The Twins optioned Jax to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jax was moved to the bullpen this spring and was competing for a middle-relief role, but he ultimately fell short in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The Twins could consider moving Jax back to a starting role as he heads to St. Paul.

Sims (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Sims tossed a bullpen session Saturday but isn't expected to be ready for game action until mid-to-late April. He's expected to be the favorite for closing duties once he's back to full health, but Art Warren, Luis Cessa and Hunter Strickland will vie for save chances while Sims is unavailable.

Farmer's contract was selected by the Reds on Thursday.

Manager David Bell indicated Monday that Farmer had made the Opening Day roster, so Thursday's transaction was expected. The right-hander struck out nine in five scoreless frames this spring and should serve mainly as a middle reliever to begin the 2022 campaign.

The Royals placed Payamps on the family medical emergency list Thursday.

The move opens up a spot on the 28-man active roster for top prospect Bobby Witt, who will start at third base and bat second in his MLB debut. Payamps, meanwhile, remains without a clear timeline to rejoin the big club while he tends to the family matter. Once activated, Payamps is expected to fill a middle-relief role for Kansas City after he turned in a 3.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 in 37 appearances between the Blue Jays and Royals in 2021.

Milner has made the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Milner finished the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Nashville, but he'll join the Brewers to begin the 2022 season. He made 19 relief appearances last year and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 21.2 innings.

Topa (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Topa sustained a significant right elbow injury in September of 2021 that prevented him from pitching in any Cactus League games this spring. While the right-hander was able to do some rehab work during spring training, he'll be unavailable to begin the regular season and doesn't yet have a clear timetable to return.

The Twins acquired Pagan and starting pitcher Chris Paddack from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for reliever Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

With Rogers moving to San Diego, the Twins will have a void at closer heading into Opening Day, and Pagan could be one of several candidates to vie for saves out of the Minnesota bullpen. Pagan, who is under club control for the next two seasons, is coming off a down 2021 campaign in which he submitted a 4.83 ERA (5.22 FIP) and surrendered a whopping 16 home runs in 63.1 innings. Keeping the ball in the yard has been an ongoing issue for Pagan throughout his career, but he's excelled at making bats miss and limiting free passes, as his lifetime 22.3 K-BB% attests. Even if the Twins aren't inclined to use Pagan in the ninth inning due to his vulnerability to the long ball, he should at least take on a key setup role for his new team.

The Padres acquired Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for starting pitcher Chris Paddack and reliever Emilio Pagan, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rumors swirled late Wednesday that the Padres were working to acquire Rogers, and after trade talks continued into Thursday, the two sides came to an agreement on a deal. Rogers is likely to step in as San Diego's closer, though he may have a shorter leash on the role than he enjoyed in Minnesota, given the high-quality alternatives that exist in the Padres' bullpen. That said, Rogers has generally been reliable when his number has been called the past three seasons, as he's converted 48 of 60 save opportunities during that span while accruing a 3.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He looks like a fairly safe No. 1 or 2 closer for most fantasy squads.

The Pirates designated Medina for assignment Wednesday.

Medina's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for the newly signed Andrew Knapp, who will open the season as the Pirates' No. 2 catcher. Meanwhile, Medina will be in DFA limbo for the second time this offseason, after the Phillies previously dropped him from their 40-man roster in December before he was claimed off waivers by the Pirates in March once the lockout concluded. If he clears waivers this time around, Medina will stick in Pittsburgh's organization and report to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Beede was informed by the Giants on Wednesday he's made the Opening Day roster, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Beede had a 5.08 ERA over 117 innings for the Giants in 2019 but missed the following campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he returned to the mound with Triple-A Sacramento last year. The 28-year-old was reportedly throwing up to 98 mph during spring training, though he still surrendered six earned runs across 4.2 frames. San Francisco has five solidified starters in its rotation, but Beede could work as the sixth man of the group if the Giants elect to go that route.