MLB Player News

Manager Oli Marmol said Saturday that Middleton will be shut down for 10 days due to a right forearm strain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear when Middleton picked up the injury, but he won't be in action for the next 10 days and will start the regular season on the injured list. Middleton joined the Cardinals on a one-year, $6 million contract in February after splitting last season between the White Sox and Yankees. The right-hander posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 64:23 K:BB over 50.2 innings in 2023.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell doesn't plan to enter the season with defined bullpen roles for Leiter or any other reliever, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Leiter has notched seven saves over the last two seasons with the Cubs, collecting a 3.75 ERA and 150:49 K:BB over 132 innings along the way. The reverse-splits reliever could potentially work his way into the saves mix again in 2024, although he's probably at least behind Adbert Alzolay and Hector Neris, and possibly also Julian Merryweather, in the pecking order.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell doesn't plan to designate specific roles for Merryweather or any other reliever before the season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather got off to a poor start for the Cubs last season but posted a 2.69 ERA and 84:33 K:BB over 60.1 innings from May on. He'll likely be behind Adbert Alzolay and Hector Neris in the bullpen hierarchy initially, but Merryweather has a chance to work his way into saves consideration.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell doesn't plan to have defined roles for Neris or any other member of the bullpen heading into the season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Adbert Alzolay is probably first in line to close for the Cubs, with Neris closely behind. However, Counsell wants his usage of the bullpen to evolve organically rather than pigeon-holing guys before the season starts. Neris inked a one-year, $9 million contract with the Cubs in January after posting a 1.71 ERA with 77 strikeouts and a career-high 31 holds in 68.1 frames for Houston last year.

The Mets optioned Garrett to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Garrett had a solid spring, allowing two runs with a 7:2 K:BB over five innings. The right-handed reliever will head to Syracuse for now and wait for a call to rejoin the big-league bullpen.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Martinez (rib) is not a lock to start Saturday as previously anticipated, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Martinez has pitched through a rib issue in his last couple Cactus League appearances, but he was scratched from a scheduled start Thursday, throwing long toss instead. The pitcher doesn't feel any pain while on the mound but is in some discomfort doing day-to-day things. If Martinez does start Saturday, it could be in either a Cactus League game or a minor-league contest. The Reds are still confident he'll be ready for the start of the season.

Bednar (lat) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It will be his first time throwing from the bump since some right lat tightness cropped up at the beginning of the month. Bednar has not made an appearance in a Grapefruit League game this spring, but that seemingly should come soon if things go well Friday. He could still have time to ramp up for Opening Day, but it will be close.

Chargois (neck) will be shut down from throwing for at least a few more days, Christina De Nicola of MLB.comreports.

The right-hander didn't make his spring debut until Tuesday due to neck spasms, but he experienced issues after the appearance and has been shut down from throwing again after visiting a neck specialist. Given his lack of game action this spring, Chargois may require a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Ferrer was diagnosed with a strain of the teres major muscle Friday and will be shut down for three weeks before being reevaluated, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.comreports.

The left-hander was limited to just one appearance during spring training due to the injury and will now begin the season on the injured list. Ferrer will require a ramp-up period after being shut down for multiple weeks, so he's likely to be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Reds on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The move appears to be in direct response to Alex Young (back) needing a stint on the injured list to begin the season. Wilson recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Dodgers after striking out nine and allowing two runs over four spring innings. The 36-year-old last appeared in the majors with the Reds in 2022 before needing Tommy John surgery.