MLB Player News

Atlanta selected Chavez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Chavez was inked to a minor-league deal earlier this week with the expectation that he would eventually be added to the big-league roster. The veteran reliever should operate in a long relief role with Atlanta.

The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

After posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB in 46 innings at Jacksonville in 2023, Maldonado was shielded from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter and added to the Marlins' 40-man roster. He appeared to enter spring training with a legitimate chance at winning a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but despite limiting batters to a .158 average and permitting just one run while striking out eight over six innings in the Grapefruit League, Maldonado wasn't able to break camp with the club. The right-hander will likely begin the season as Jacksonville's closer and might not have to wait long before he gets his first call to the big leagues.

The Marlins optioned Faucher to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Faucher had been projected to be a part of the Marlins' Opening Day bullpen, but Miami's acquisition Wednesday of right-hander Burch Smith likely left Faucher on the outside looking in for a spot on the 26-man active roster. The 28-year-old right-hander should handle a key late-inning role with New Orleans and will look to impress at Triple-A with the hope of making his Miami debut at some point this season.

The Reds placed Moll (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Moll was sidelined for most of camp due to a shoulder impingement and isn't ready for the start of the regular season. The left-hander was able to make his spring debut last week, and he could join the Reds when first eligible in mid-April .

The Reds placed Young on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with low back disc degeneration.

The left-hander has been destined to begin the campaign on the injured list after he suffered a setback with his back injury in mid-March, and that transaction is now official. It's unclear how long Young is expected to be sidelined, but he won't be eligible to be activated until the second week of April.

The Red placed Gibaut (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Gibaut's move to the IL is backdated to Monday, meaning he will be eligible to make his season debut beginning April 9. The 30-year-old righty has been dealing with a strained forearm for most of spring training, and it's unclear how far along he is in his throwing progression.

The Marlins acquired Smith from the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Smith exercised the upward mobility clause in his minor-league deal with Tampa Bay. The 33-year-old will appear in the majors for the first time since 2021, assuming he gets into a game. Smith holds a career 6.03 ERA over 102 appearances (13 starts) across parts of five major-league seasons. He figures to operate in long relief in Miami.

Cuas will begin the regular season in the Cubs' bullpen, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Cuas was solid last year, compiling a 3.99 ERA and 71 strikeouts across 65.1 innings with the Royals and Cubs, and he looked sharp in spring training as well. The righty will parlay that into an Opening Day role, and while he should slot in behind Adbert Alzolay and Hector Neris, he could still see some high-leverage innings for Chicago.

The Marlins placed Brazoban (personal) on the restricted list Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Brazoban missed all of spring training and remains in the Dominican Republic after he was unable to acquire a work visa that would have allowed him to re-enter the United States. The Marlins haven't provided a timeline for when Brazoban's visa issue might be resolved. His placement on the restricted list will open a spot on Miami's 40-man roster, which may be used on another reliever to replace Brazoban.

The Cardinals placed Middleton on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right forearm strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Middleton has been shut down from throwing since March 16, and although he's slated to begin his throwing progression soon, his absence will officially extend into the regular season. An exact timetable for the right-hander's return is unclear, but a better picture should emerge as he gets further along in his recovery process.