MLB Player News

The Reds designated Solak for assignment Thursday.

Solak was a casualty of a series of roster moves ahead of the team's Opening Day game Thursday against the Pirates. The 28-year-old former top prospect has slashed just .246/.317/.354 in 839 major-league plate appearances since the beginning of the 2020 season.

Madris was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Madris reached the majors for the first time in his career last season but slashed just .177/.244/.265 over 123 plate appearances with the Pirates. He had a much better spring, but the 27-year-old outfielder will return to the minors to serve as organizational depth.

Torrens had his contract selected from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 26-year-old will open the 2023 regular season as the third catcher for the Cubs, behind the platoon of Tucker Barnhart and Yan Gomes. Torrens batted just .225/.283/.298 over 166 major-league plate appearances last year with the Mariners. Seattle non-tendered him in November.

Winker is starting in right field for the Brewers in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Rockies.

Winker has seen some action in left this spring, but this will be his first time playing right. He could factor into the mix at that spot with Brian Anderson, and perhaps even Owen Miller. Tyrone Taylor (elbow) is not expected to be ready to join Milwaukee's active roster until mid-May. Winker should primarily operate out of the DH spot as the 2023 regular season rolls along.

McCutchen (elbow) made throws to bases over the weekend in Pirates camp, CJ Haddad of MLB.com reports.

McCutchen was limited to DH duties over the final stretch of the Grapefruit League schedule because of soreness in his right elbow, but he told reporters Monday that he expects to be able to play some outfield when the regular season gets underway. "It's all good," McCutchen said. "I'm fine. I'll be good. No worries."

Manager Mark Kotsay said Monday that Rooker earned a spot on Oakland's Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 28-year-old bounced around from the Twins to the Padres to the Royals last season before being claimed off waivers by the A's in November, and he's now claimed a spot on Oakland's Opening Day roster after he finished spring training with a .906 OPS. Rooker has a .668 OPS in 81 career big-league games, and he's likely to begin the campaign on the short side of a platoon in left field with Conner Capel.

General manager Dana Brown stated Monday that Brantley (shoulder) isn't expected to make his 2023 debut until mid-to-late-April, Michael Connor of Sports Talk 790 reports.

Brown noted that the club's initial expectation was for Brantley to take the field in mid-April, but he's already a week or so behind that target date. The GM mentioned that the veteran outfielder has been hitting and getting his necessary days off, and the squad has no intention of rushing him back before he's ready. An update on Brantley's timeline should arrive as he gets closer to seeing live at-bats, likely in a minor-league setting.

Reyes is likely to make the Opening Day roster for the Royals out of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com notes.

Reyes was brought in on a minor-league contract in February by the Royals after struggling mightily in 2022 with both the Guardians and Cubs. The 27-year-old has hit well in the Cactus League as seen in a 1.112 OPS and three homers over 43 plate appearances with the club. Reyes will likely see reps as a designated hitter if/when he does become a part of the big-league roster to open 2023 with an occasional start or two in the outfield as well.

Hummel is part of the Mariners' Opening Day roster, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old Hummel finished spring training with walks across each of his last three plate appearances Sunday and Monday, capping a strong body of work in Cactus League play that included a .275/.420/.675 line across 50 plate appearances. Kramer notes Hummel's versatility -- he's capable of filling in at catcher and the corner outfield spots -- helped seal his spot on the Opening Day roster, although his offensive contributions certainly may have put him over the top.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Monday's exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land, Michael Connor of Sports Talk 790 in Houston reports.

While Alvarez is scheduled to play the whole game, Baker cautions that might change because the team did not get back to Houston on Monday until after 3am. Whether he plays the full game or not, Alvarez looks like he's a full-go for the regular season which begins Thursday against the White Sox.