MLB Player News

The Padres optioned Knehr to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Even though they swapped out two pitchers (Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan) for one (Taylor Rogers) in a trade with the Twins earlier in the day, the Padres didn't have room in the rotation or bullpen for Knehr on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old lefty will likely prepare to fill a starting role for El Paso and stay stretched out in the event the Padres require reinforcement for the rotation at some point down the road.

The Padres placed Garcia on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right oblique strain.

After signing a two-year, $7 million contract with San Diego in the winter, Garcia looked like a potential candidate to factor into the mix for saves with his new team, but his oblique injury coupled with the Padres' acquisition of closer Taylor Rogers from the Twins on Thursday likely ends those hopes. Once he moves past the oblique strain, Garcia will presumably slot into a setup or middle-inning role for the Padres.

Devenski (elbow) was reassigned to minor-league camp Thursday.

Devenski resumed mound work in late March but isn't expected to return to game action until sometime around the middle of the season. He'll continue his recovery process with the minor-league club.

Brebbia has made the Giants' Opening Day roster, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After making at least 45 appearances in each of his first three major-league seasons with the Cardinals, Brebbia spent 2021 with the Giants and made just 18 relief appearances with a 5.89 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings. He's expected to work in middle relief for San Francisco.

Sims (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Sims tossed a bullpen session Saturday but isn't expected to be ready for game action until mid-to-late April. He's expected to be the favorite for closing duties once he's back to full health, but Art Warren, Luis Cessa and Hunter Strickland will vie for save chances while Sims is unavailable.

Farmer's contract was selected by the Reds on Thursday.

Manager David Bell indicated Monday that Farmer had made the Opening Day roster, so Thursday's transaction was expected. The right-hander struck out nine in five scoreless frames this spring and should serve mainly as a middle reliever to begin the 2022 campaign.

Milner has made the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Milner finished the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Nashville, but he'll join the Brewers to begin the 2022 season. He made 19 relief appearances last year and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 21.2 innings.

Topa (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Topa sustained a significant right elbow injury in September of 2021 that prevented him from pitching in any Cactus League games this spring. While the right-hander was able to do some rehab work during spring training, he'll be unavailable to begin the regular season and doesn't yet have a clear timetable to return.

The Padres acquired Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for starting pitcher Chris Paddack and reliever Emilio Pagan, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rumors swirled late Wednesday that the Padres were working to acquire Rogers, and after trade talks continued into Thursday, the two sides came to an agreement on a deal. Rogers is likely to step in as San Diego's closer, though he may have a shorter leash on the role than he enjoyed in Minnesota, given the high-quality alternatives that exist in the Padres' bullpen. That said, Rogers has generally been reliable when his number has been called the past three seasons, as he's converted 48 of 60 save opportunities during that span while accruing a 3.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He looks like a fairly safe No. 1 or 2 closer for most fantasy squads.

The Pirates designated Medina for assignment Wednesday.

Medina's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for the newly signed Andrew Knapp, who will open the season as the Pirates' No. 2 catcher. Meanwhile, Medina will be in DFA limbo for the second time this offseason, after the Phillies previously dropped him from their 40-man roster in December before he was claimed off waivers by the Pirates in March once the lockout concluded. If he clears waivers this time around, Medina will stick in Pittsburgh's organization and report to Triple-A Indianapolis.