MLB Player News

Stott will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's game versus the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's the third straight game that Stott has been in the leadoff spot against a right-handed pitcher, as he's being rewarded for his .400 on-base percentage versus righties so far this season. Considering he had been mostly hitting eighth against right-handed pitching, it's a big boost to Stott's fantasy outlook if the change sticks.

Marsh is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marsh is in a 0-for-26 tailspin at the plate and, as a result, is out of the lineup versus a right-hander for the first time this season. Johan Rojas will start in center field and bat ninth for the Phillies.

Kimbrel has been assigned to the Double-A Columbus roster, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Signed to a minor-league contract in mid-March, Kimbrel had been getting ramped up at Atlanta's spring training complex in Florida and is now ready to appear in games. The veteran reliever should eventually move up to Triple-A Gwinnett and, if all goes well, the plan is for him to join the big-league roster sometime in May.

Priester is scheduled to make his second start with the Brewers on Tuesday versus the Tigers at American Family Field, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Milwaukee's rotation became more crowded after Jose Quintana was called up from Triple-A Nashville this past Friday to make his team debut, but Priester will retain a starting role after the Brewers moved Elvin Rodriguez to the bullpen. Priester's standing in the rotation could be on shakier ground in the coming weeks once Tobias Myers (oblique) and Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) are likely ready to return from the 15-day injured list, but the 24-year-old righty did his part to make a strong first impression after being acquired from the Red Sox last Monday. The Brewers tapped Priester to start three days later, and he held his own in a tough environment for pitchers in Colorado, limiting the Rockies to one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.

Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that he's hopeful that Hays (calf) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday for the Reds' series opener versus the Mariners, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Before a decision is made regarding whether Hays will be activated for the three-game series with Seattle, the Reds plan to evaluate him Monday after he played for Triple-A Louisville on three consecutive days over the weekend. He went 2-for-9 with a home run, two RBI, two runs and one stolen base across those contests, and perhaps most importantly, Hays logged nine innings in right field Sunday. Once activated, Hays should handle a near-everyday role at either corner-outfield spot, and his arrival could provide a needed boost for a Reds offense that has thus far produced a team wOBA of .268, the third-worst mark in the majors.

Diaz (hamstring) rejoined the Reds on Sunday, and manager Terry Francona suggested that while the right-hander could be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Mariners, an official decision has yet to be made, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Cincinnati seemingly has a spot on the 26-man active roster ready to go for Diaz, as the team placed reliever Sam Moll (shoulder) on the 15-day IL on Monday and didn't immediately announce a corresponding move. Diaz, who suffered a left hamstring strain late in spring training, made five appearances during his recent rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings. Despite the so-so results, Diaz told Goldsmith that he thought he threw the ball well over his final few outings with Louisville, and the 28-year-old feels that the mechanical adjustments he's made while on the shelf have left him prepared to find success if the Reds turn to him as their closer. Francona told Goldsmith last week that he wants Diaz to be the team's closer, but it's unclear if the skipper will immediately deploy Diaz in high-leverage spots once he's activated, or if he'll be eased into such situations.

The Reds placed Moll on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder impingement.

Moll hadn't pitched in a week and his velocity was down in his last appearance, so it seems this is something he's been dealing with for a little while. It's not yet clear how much time he might miss.

Ohtani (elbow) threw 30 pitches and sat around 90-to-92 miles per hour with his fastball in his most recent bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in November, Ohtani has bounced back nicely while filling an everyday role at designated hitter for the Dodgers to begin the season, slashing .273/.377/.500 with four home runs and four stolen bases through 17 games. He still has yet to make his debut on the mound for the Dodgers while ramping back up from his September 2023 Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he's been gradually increasing the volume and intensity of his bullpen sessions and could be ready to face hitters within the next few weeks. He remains without a clear timeline to make his first appearance as a pitcher with the Dodgers, and because of the impact he provides as a hitter, Ohtani won't be a candidate to go out on a minor-league rehab assignment to get stretched out. Instead, he'll have to build up as a pitcher through simulated games, which the Dodgers will have to strategically map out so as not to interfere with his regular routine as the team's DH.

Winker has been on the bench for five straight games while dealing with flu-like symptoms, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old was able to pinch hit Saturday, so the Mets don't seem to be contemplating an IL stint for Winker. He's batting .200 (5-for-25) to begin the season and is still looking for his first home run, but he should return to the strong side of a platoon at DH once healthy.

Henriquez (1-0) picked up the win Sunday, working a scoreless sixth inning in an 11-4 victory over the Nationals. He didn't strike out or walk a batter.

The 24-year-old righty needed only four pitches to breeze through his frame, and the Marlins then broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the inning. Henriquez has been effective to begin the season and has worked his way into a higher-leverage role than anticipated -- he's posted a 1.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 8.1 innings, and his three holds are already a new career high.