MLB Player News

Quintana agreed Wednesday to report to Triple-A Nashville to begin the season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Quintana agreed to be optioned so that he could continue getting stretched out after signing in early March. The left-hander is likely looking at the second week of April for his season debut, though the Brewers have not confirmed an exact date for him to join the big-league rotation.

The Brewers informed Patrick on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Patrick was optioned to Triple-A Nashville back in early March, but he is now needed on the big-league roster while the Brewers contend with multiple injuries to starting pitchers in addition to Jose Quintana needing more time to get ramped up. It's possible Patrick will be needed to make a start or two early on in the season, though the Brewers could also deploy him as a bulk reliever.

Ortiz allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.

This was Ortiz's final outing of the preseason, which was a rocky one for the Guardians' winter acquisition. The right-hander finished with 14 strikeouts and 13 walks over 17.1 innings this spring. Despite his struggles, Ortiz is expected to start the third game of the regular season Sunday against the Royals.

Nelson will remain stretched out as a reliever, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "(Nelson) is going to be able to provide us some length," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "We feel like we've got some solid backup there just in case the starter doesn't give us what he needs to."

Nelson, who fell short in his bid to be the No. 5 starter, became the top long option out the bullpen following the news that Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery. The Montgomery news also suggests that Nelson could be in line to start should a current member of the rotation require extended downtime due to injury. Nelson was a valued part of the rotation in 2024, when he improved in several underlying metrics (K:BB, K/9, BB/9, HR/9) compared to 2023.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Mahle will likely start the Rangers' third game of the season Saturday against the Red Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The skipper had previously indicated Mahle would start the second game of the regular season. However, Bochy has since changed his tune, and it now sounds as though Jack Leiter will start Friday ahead of Mahle and Jacob deGrom in Games 3 and 4, respectively. Mahle required an MRI on his forearm earlier this spring, but he was able to turn the page in a hurry and convince the team of his readiness for the start of the 2025 campaign.

Lodolo allowed just one run over six innings in his final spring training out against the Guardians, striking out seven and retiring the final 11 batters he faced, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo was the only Reds starter to go six innings in Arizona this spring and will open the season as their No. 2 starter, getting his first start Saturday at home against the Giants.

Garcia met with doctors Tuesday regarding his right elbow and will seek a second opinion, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia was pulled off his throwing program Thursday after reporting soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. There's no telling how long it will be before he's ready to start up his rehab again, but it's usually not a great sign when a player seeks a second opinion. More details should be available once another doctor takes a look at Garcia.

The Angels selected Johnson's contract Tuesday.

Now that Johnson has officially been added to the Angels' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, he'll become the first player since Garrett Crochet in 2020 to reach the majors without appearing in a minor-league game. Johnson, 22, is likely to work in middle relief while he familiarizes himself with MLB hitters, but his 10:1 K:BB in 11.1 Cactus League innings is evidence that he has the tools to appear in high-leverage situations down the line. Jose Quijada was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Jones won't require surgery on his sore right elbow but he'll be held out from throwing for six weeks and will begin the season on the injured list, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones was unable to make his final Grapefruit League start last week after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow, prompting the Pirates to send him in for tests. After receiving a pair of medical opinions, Jones has elected to go the rest-and-rehab route for treating the injury, but he won't be able to resume a throwing program until around mid-May and will likely need several weeks after that to get fully stretched back out for a starting role. As a result of the 23-year-old's injury, Carmen Mlodzinski will open the season in the rotation as Pittsburgh's No. 5 starter.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Garabito will be on Texas' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Garabito ended the spring with eight runs (seven earned) allowed and 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. He'll begin the season with the Rangers despite his shaky performance, likely working in a long-relief role behind an Opening Day rotation that includes unproven young pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.