MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Minter "obviously would be the obvious guy" to fill in at closer while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is sidelined, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Snitker did backtrack a bit after that, adding that "it may be a matchup scenario-type thing." Still, it seems telling that Minter is the first guy that came to mind when the manager was asked the question, likely putting him at the top of the pecking order. Joe Jimenez is probably next in line. Atlanta is hopeful that Iglesias will need only a minimum stay on the injured list.

Manager Brian Snitker indicated Thursday he hopes Iglesias (shoulder) will only require the minimum 15 days on the injured list, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade right shoulder inflammation after feeling off while playing catch Wednesday. He will be shut down for the next week before hopefully ramping things back up. "To get him right, we shut him down, will build him back and hopefully can get him sooner than later," Snitker said. A.J. Minter is the favorite to close games for Atlanta while Iglesias is out.

Burdi was reassigned Thursday to the minor-league side of Cubs camp, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi had issued five walks but allowed only one hit and zero runs through 4.2 innings this spring in the Cactus League. The 30-year-old right-hander will function as organizational relief depth for Chicago in 2023.

Hughes said Thursday he's been dealing with some discomfort in his left knee, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The injury explains why it has been a full week since Hughes last pitched in a Cactus League game. It doesn't sound like a significant issue, but any type of discomfort is concerning this close to Opening Day. The 27-year-old left-hander is expected to work in a high-leverage role out of the Cubs' bullpen this season, though Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger are thought to be the frontrunners for saves.

Misiewicz was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Misiewicz was acquired from the Royals in early February in exchange for cash considerations and will function as left-handed relief depth in the minors to begin the 2023 campaign. He holds a career 4.43 ERA and 105:31 K:BB in 103.2 total innings at the MLB level.

Jimenez might get some save opportunities with Atlanta while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is out.

A.J. Minter might be ahead of Jimenez in the pecking order, especially since Jimenez has been eased into things this spring following offseason back surgery. The former Tiger is considered healthy now, though, and was terrific in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 frames. It's possible Atlanta doesn't settle on one closer while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Raisel Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade shoulder inflammation Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, and Minter could be in line for some saves while the closer is sidelined.

Iglesias will be shut down for at least the next week while he deals with the shoulder issue. Minter has had a rough spring but remains the probable fill-in option for Iglesias after posting a brilliant 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings during 2022. Joe Jimenez is also a candidate.

Iglesias will begin the season on the injured list after he was diagnosed with low-grade inflammation in his right shoulder Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It seems relatively minor as far as shoulder injuries go, but Iglesias will be shut down from throwing for at least seven days in hopes that the soreness clears up. That would seem to indicate Iglesias could be sidelined for several weeks, though his return timeline at this point remains unclear. A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez are candidates to fill Atlanta's closer role while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder tightness, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Rule 5 pick will be shut down for a week before being re-evaluated. Rodriguez has posted a 4.26 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over 6.1 innings this spring and had been in line for a middle-relief role.

Castro has allowed one hit and one walk while striking out seven over six scoreless Cactus League innings.

It's no surprise that Castro will make the roster, but his power arm could be utilized in high-leverage spots for a bullpen whose late-inning patterns are still taking shape. He's in the mix for save opportunities with Scott McGough and Kevin Ginkel with Opening Day coming next week. All three have posted strong numbers during spring ball.