MLB Player News

Johnson (groin) has pitched in games at the Padres' alternate training site, but it's unclear if he'll come off the injured list for this weekend's series in Texas, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Johnson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 groin strain in mid-March and has been working his way back since. Though he's now participating in games at the alternate site, he may not be ready to return when eligible this Thursday. "We don't [want] to send somebody back before they're ready -- either health or to their standards of being able to get Major League hitters out," manager Jayce Tingler stated when discussing Johnson and fellow injured reliever Austin Adams (elbow).

Hudson (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Braves after allowing zero runs on zero hits with two strikeouts and one walk during the ninth inning.

The 33-year-old was expected to begin the season in a setup role, but he'll now be in the mix for saves with Brad Hand on the COVID-19 injured list. Hudson entered in a 5-5 tie and delivered a scoreless top of the ninth inning, and the offense provided the walkoff win in the bottom half of the frame. The right-hander could split ninth-inning chances with Tanner Rainey until Hand is cleared to rejoin the team.

Reyes walked one and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to secure his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander has converted both his save chances and has yet to give up a run in 2021, but his 2:2 K:BB through 3.1 innings isn't exactly dominant. With Reyes having pitched on back-to-back days, look for Jordan Hicks or another reliever to get the call Wednesday if the Cards have a ninth-inning lead to protect.

Alzolay (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks across five innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out four.

It was a so-so 2021 debut for Alzolay, though Chicago's bats only mustered one hit and no runs, so the righty had zero margin for error. Alzolay won the fifth starter role coming out of spring training, which pushed Alec Mills into the bullpen for now. However, manager David Ross is likely to use both pitchers as starters throughout the season in an effort to manage their workloads. Alzolay is slated to take the hill again Monday in a repeat matchup with Milwaukee, this time on the road.

Gallegos earned his first hold in a win over the Marlins on Monday, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts.

Gallegos served as an effective multi-inning bridge from Jordan Hicks to Alex Reyes in his second appearance of the season. The 29-year-old appears to have left a difficult spring (7.04 ERA in eight appearances) firmly behind him, as he's opened the campaign with four scoreless, one-hit frames and a 4:0 K:BB.

Martin (finger) is not available Tuesday against the Nationals but isn't expected to head to the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Martin left Sunday's game against the Phillies with numbness in his fingers. Atlanta doesn't seem too concerned about the injury, but he'll get at least one more day to heal.

Hicks was credited with his first hold in a win over the Marlins on Monday, logging a perfect sixth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

So far, so good for Hicks in his comeback campaign, as he's fired a pair of perfect frames over his first two appearances, neither which has come in a save situation. The hard-throwing Hicks also has only one strikeout through six batters faced, but the fact that he's notched six outs on just 26 pitches speaks to the fact that his location already seems to be back to form after he missed all of last season.

The Brewers transferred Topa (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.

Milwaukee was already preparing for Topa to remain sidelined for the first half of the season while he recovers from a right elbow flexor strain, so the move to the 60-day IL won't have any bearing on his timeline. Instead, the transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Brad Boxberger, whose contract was selected from the alternate site in a corresponding move.

The Brewers selected Boxberger's contract from their alternate site Tuesday.

Milwaukee created a spot for him on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, respectively, by transferring Justin Topa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list and trading Orlando Arcia to Atlanta. Boxberger appeared to have made a strong push for the Brewers' Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, but Milwaukee instead had him bide his time at the alternate site for a few days before a roster spot opened up. Though he has 77 career saves on his resume, Boxberger is expected to work in a middle-relief role for Milwaukee initially.

The Brewers acquired Weigel and pitcher Chad Sobotka from Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Orlando Arcia.

A five-year starter at shortstop for Milwaukee, Arcia had moved into a utility role for Milwaukee in 2021 and was seen as expendable, so the Brewers opted to cash him out for a pair of right-handed relievers. Weigel had been a top starting pitching prospect in Atlanta's organization before missing most of the 2018 season following Tommy John surgery. He's since converted to relief duty and could emerge as an option out of the big-league bullpen later in 2021. Expect him to begin the season at Triple-A Nashville.