MLB Player News

The Reds selected Lowe's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

The move corresponds with the Reds placing right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Lowe signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati in mid-February and made a strong case for a spot on the Opening Day roster across his 17 Cactus League games, when he slashed .268/.362/.585 with three home runs and eight RBI in 47 plate appearances. Lowe gives the Reds another left-handed bat and depth at first base behind Sal Stewart.

The Reds placed Greene (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.

Greene underwent surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips in his throwing elbow. His placement on the 60-day IL means that the earliest he can make his 2026 regular-season debut is late May, though the nature of the procedure means that Greene will likely be out of action for at least the first half of the season. The Reds selected Nathaniel Lowe's contract from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

The Nationals selected Perez's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Perez was in Nats camp as a non-roster invitee and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after permitted just one run with a 5:1 K:BB over six Grapefruit League frames. The 29-year-old will be the most experienced reliever on the Washington roster, which could give him a chance to see high-leverage innings.

The Nationals placed Schultz on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow inflammation.

Schultz didn't pitch in a Grapefruit League game after Feb. 28 due to his elbow injury, which is severe enough for him to open the season on the injured list. The earliest he can be activated from the IL is early April, but the Nationals have not indicated when the 28-year-old right-hander will embark on a rehab assignment.

The Nationals recalled Gray from Triple-A Rochester and placed him on the 60-day injured list Monday with a right flexor strain.

Gray was optioned to Rochester last week, but that move has been rescinded after the flexor strain was discovered. It's a troubling development for Gray, who missed the entire 2025 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will not be eligible for activation until late May, and it's unclear whether Gray will be ready to pitch in games by that point.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Church will get some run in left field while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are the others in the mix for left-field reps. Church is the only one of the three that bats left-handed and that's a natural outfielder, which could give him a leg up for playing time early on. However, Marmol noted Monday that he does not plan to employ a strict platoon. Church is known more for his glove than his bat, but he have a breakout year offensively with Triple-A Memphis in 2025, slashing .329/.386/.524 with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Monday that he's comfortable with Martin and Robert Garcia in the closer role, and who he uses in the ninth inning will "depend on the situation," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schumaker at the start of Rangers camp named Garcia and Martin as the favorites to garner save chances, and he still sees the situation the same way on the precipice of Opening Day. The 39-year-old Martin has never had more than four saves in a single season in his career, but he's been one of the most reliable relievers in baseball over the last four years with a 2.60 ERA, 27.4 percent strikeout rate and 3.1 percent walk rate.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Monday that the team's closer job will "depend on the situation," but he's comfortable with Garcia and Chris Martin in the role, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schumaker said something similar at the beginning of spring training and what occurred in Cactus League play doesn't appear to have changed his mind. Garcia tied for the team lead with nine saves last season and finished with a 2.95 ERA and 68:22 K:BB across 64 innings. Neither the left-handed Garcia nor the right-handed Martin have notable splits in their careers, so it could be a situation where Schumaker rides the hot hand.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that the team hopes Priester (wrist) is ready for his season debut by early May, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Priester is currently with the Brewers in Milwaukee and will throw a couple more bullpen sessions there before heading back to the club's spring training complex in Arizona when the Brewers begin their first road trip. The right-hander is dealing with a nerve issue related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has led to pain in his right wrist. Priester will need to make some rehab starts before rejoining the Brewers' rotation.

Torres (back) is starting at second base and batting second in Monday's exhibition game versus the Rockies.

Torres had to be scratched from the Tigers' Grapefruit League lineup Saturday due to back tightness and didn't play Sunday, but he's back in action Monday. The 29-year-old is slated to serve as the Tigers' everyday second baseman and two-hole hitter this season.