MLB Player News

Thompson's suspension has been reduced from three to two games, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Thompson's punishment won't have much of an impact on his availability since he threw 45 pitches in Thursday's series opener in Colorado and will begin serving the suspension Friday. The right-hander has struck out five in six scoreless frames to begin the year, and he'll be eligible to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Leiter was added to the Cubs' taxi squad Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Leiter joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal in mid-December, but he's a prime candidate to start Saturday's game in Colorado since the team hasn't yet announced a starter for the matchup. The 31-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2018, but he allowed one run while striking out seven in four innings during his season debut at Triple-A Iowa last week.

Gilbreath (illness) has rejoined the Rockies and threw a bullpen Friday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Gilbreath began the regular season on the COVID-19 injured list after testing positive for the virus, but he's now been cleared to rejoin the team. While it's not yet clear whether he'll be activated prior to Friday's game against the Cubs, he should be available to make his season debut soon.

Stephenson (illness) has rejoined the Rockies and threw a bullpen Friday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Stephenson hasn't yet been activated from the COVID-19 injured list, but it's certainly encouraging that he's now back with the team after testing positive for the virus prior to the regular season. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be activated prior to Friday's matchup against the Cubs, but his return appears to be imminent.

Singer cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Singer will remain in the organization despite being designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday. He's tossed four scoreless innings in two relief appearances with Lehigh Valley to begin the season.

Rogers (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Friday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Rogers was expected to rejoin the Giants on Friday, and he'll officially be available out of the bullpen for the team's matchup against the Guardians. He's picked up two holds and a loss in his first three appearances of the season while allowing a run in 2.2 innings.

Howard (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Low-A Bradenton on Friday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Howard was shut down late in spring training due to back spasms, but it's encouraging that he's now been cleared to appear in minor-league games. It's not yet clear when the southpaw will be able to make his season debut with the Pirates, but he appears to be trending toward a return.

Floro (shoulder) threw a bullpen session prior to Thursday's game against the Phillies, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander appears to be fully recovered from his bout of tendinitis, and is focused on building up his arm strength after missing the last part of spring training. "I think he's on the build train," manager Don Mattingly said after the session. "He threw another bullpen today. I know he's feeling good physically. Now, we've just got to build him up and get some arm strength in there." When he gets activated from the injured list, Floro should slot back into a high-leverage role and potentially even bump Anthony Bender from the ninth inning.

Gott tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Cardinals.

Gott entered Thursday's contest in the sixth inning with the Brewers up five runs, and he blanked the Cardinals over two frames while facing just one batter over the minimum. Gott did not appear in a big-league game in 2021, but he is doing his best to hold down a spot in the Brewers' bullpen, giving up just two hits and posting a 5:0 K:BB over three scoreless innings to date.

Smith has recorded two holds in three appearances to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA and 6:0 K:BB through 3.2 innings.

The right-hander put up strong numbers in 2021 in a middle-relief role, but Smith appears to have graduated to the setup corps this season. He's crediting usage of a sharper slider, as opposed to the cutter he had been leaning on as a breaking pitch, for his excellent early results, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. "I just felt like when I threw the cutter and didn't get it where I wanted to get it, if I left it middle at all, it was just kind of flat and that's when I would give up damage," Smith said after Tuesday's win over the Phillies. "I kept the same grip. I just manipulate it a little differently now. I think curveball in my head while I'm holding it with my cutter grip, which turns it into a slider. It works for me, and it's been good. I'm happy where it's at right now."