MLB Player News

Kelly will start Wednesday against Colombia for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It was originally reported Miles Mikolas would start Wednesday's game, but instead it will be Kelly on the bump in a must-win game for the United States. Mikolas will instead piggyback with Lance Lynn against Canada on Monday, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Miller was reassigned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Miller is one of the top pitching prospects in the system and has a chance to make starts for the Dodgers in 2023. The right-hander registered a 145:37 K:BB along with a 4.25 ERA in 112.1 innings across 24 appearances -- 23 starts -- between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City last season.

Small was optioned Monday to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Small was auditioning for a bullpen spot with the Brewers this spring, but he comes up short -- at least to begin the season. The left-hander has shown impressive swing-and-miss stuff but also has had trouble finding the strike zone, and that includes three walks in five innings over four Cactus League appearances. If Small can ever find the command, he has a chance to be a fantasy contributor, but there's as much risk as reward in his profile.

Rea was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rea will head to Milwaukee's farm system to serve as pitching depth after spending the 2022 season in Japan with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. His last big-league experience dates back to 2021 when he made one appearance for Milwaukee, though he also pitched in 20 contests during the 2016 season across stops in Miami and San Diego.

Junk was optioned Monday to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Acquired by the Brewers in the Hunter Renfroe deal over the winter, Junk allowed six runs in 8.1 innings for the Angels prior to being dealt and spent most of last season at the Triple-A level. The right-hander will likely be an up-and-down option for the Brewers in the 2023 season.

Gasser was assigned to minor-league camp on Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Gasser was acquired by the Brewers from the Padres in the Josh Hader trade last summer, and he was promoted to Triple-A Nashville in August of 2022. He accrued a 4.44 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 31:16 K:BB across 26.1 frames with the Sounds and could be a candidate to join the Brewers later on in 2023.

A report stating that Quintana (rib) would be shut down for three months is "premature," Mets general manager Billy Eppler told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on Monday.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reported earlier Monday that Quintana would not throw a baseball for at least three months and would be out until around the All-Star break as he recovers from a stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side. However, Eppler said Monday that "I don't have all the information yet" and any talk of the lefty being shut down is "just premature." It's also notable that Eppler didn't outright deny the report. A lengthy absence for Quintana seems to be the most likely scenario, but the Mets could still be in information-gathering mode before making an official decision. Tylor Megill and David Peterson are in the running to fill Quintana's rotation spot.

Cobb (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The side session should provide the Giants with a good gauge for how Cobb's left knee is feeling two days after it was struck by a line drive during his Cactus League start versus the Dodgers. Cobb was diagnosed with a bruise after follow-up tests ruled out any structural damage to the knee, so the right-hander looks as though he could be on track to return to the Giants' spring pitching schedule without having to miss a start. The team will offer an update on his next steps once he completes the bullpen session.

Stripling has allowed six runs on 13 hits while striking out nine and walking none over 8.1 innings across three Cactus League games.

Stripling made his first start of the spring Sunday versus Oakland after appearing as a reliever in his first two outings. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports Stripling took a comebacker off the glove in Sunday's game, but there's no concern of an injury at this time. The 33-year-old right-hander was effective with a 3.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 111:20 K:BB across 134.1 innings with the Blue Jays a year ago, and he should slot in toward the back of the Giants' rotation this season, though his favorable home park could make him worth a look in deeper fantasy drafts.

Peterson (foot) could be behind Tylor Megill in the pecking order for a rotation spot with the Mets following Jose Quintana's (rib) injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Peterson has missed a little time this spring with a foot contusion (he could return Tuesday), but this seems to be more about the team viewing Megill as having more upside. Quintana is expected to be sidelined until around the All-Star break, so the Mets figure to wind up needing both pitchers, anyway. Peterson held a 3.83 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 105.2 innings in 2022 and is worthy of a late flier in fantasy leagues even if he doesn't start the year in the rotation.