MLB Player News

Garcia (knee) is scheduled to pitch Sunday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Garcia was awarded a few days of rest due to a sore left knee, but he'll be back in action out of the bullpen on Sunday afternoon. The right-handed reliever was able to throw a bullpen session Saturday without issues, and appears ready to throw himself back in the mix for the final available roster spot on the Dodgers.

Rusin (finger) made his spring debut Saturday, striking out one batter and allowing a run over 1.2 innings.

The left-hander still isn't expected to be ready for the beginning of the season, but it is encouraging to see him in a game situation again. This was the first game appearance for Rusin this spring after incurring finger inflammation earlier this month, and it appears that he came out of it healthy. He's slated to pitch three innings Tuesday, so we should get another look at how his finger is holding up then, as well as a look at how good of a chance he has at making the 25-man roster out of spring training.

Nolin (elbow) will open the season on the disabled list, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Nolin hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since the middle of March, and with his elbow injury likely to result in a shutdown through the end of spring training, the left-hander won't be ready for Opening Day. Once he returns to full health, Nolin could have an opportunity to snag a spot in the Brewers' bullpen.

Iglesias lasted just three innings in Friday's spring training start, one of a string of bad starts this spring by Reds pitchers.

So far, the Reds aren't ready to name an Opening Day starter or season-opening rotation, though it's assumed that Iglesias will be in it early. But he got a late start this spring and hasn't yet pitched deep in a game. He might have short starts in his first couple of regular season outings.

Garcia has not pitched since Monday due to a sore left knee, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. He's expected to return to action in the next few days.

Garcia is already on the roster bubble, so sitting out a week of game action so close to Opening Day is not helping his case. He could start the year on the DL.

Strop pitched for the second day in a row Saturday, getting the Giants in order in the seventh inning.

Strop has only made four appearances this month, but no one has reached base against him yet. Saturday also marked the first time he's pitched in back-to-back games this spring. He appears to be ready for the regular season as the top setup man in the Cubs' bullpen.

Manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday that Smith (knee) will miss "significant" time regardless of whether he undergoes surgery on his torn LCL, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It was announced earlier Saturday that Smith had suffered a torn LCL in his right knee after something of a freak accident. There is still no word on whether surgery is required, but Counsell's comments suggest that Smith will miss a significant portion of the season. Expect him to start the season on the disabled list while Jeremy Jeffress is the odds-on favorite to be the Brewers' closer.

The Braves optioned Weber to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Weber gave up five earned runs and 10 runs in 6.1 innings this spring. He started five games for the Braves last season, so the team could call him up at some point in 2016.

Smith said Saturday that he is dealing with a torn LCL in his right knee, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Smith reportedly suffered the injury while attempting to take a shoe off in the clubhouse this week. It has not yet been determined if he will need surgery to repair the tear, but he was spotted on crutches Saturday and had his leg immobilized, so it would appear he is dealing with a setback that could sideline him for a while. The Brewers figure to provide more details on Smith's status in the near future, but it does not seem likely he will be ready for Opening Day. If that indeed is the case, Jeremy Jeffress would be the favorite to open the season as the Brewers' closer.

Miller had his best outing of the spring on Friday, going 6.2 innings and allowing just one earned run on three hits.

Miller struck out four and threw 88 pitches. The righty's spring ERA now sits at 2.16. Miller will slot in as Arizona's No. 2 starter behind Zack Greinke. He posted a stellar 3.02 ERA last year but only picked up six wins on a subpar Braves team. Expect the win total to increase now that Miller has a better offense backing him, but the ERA could also go up, given the switch in home ballparks and the 4.07 xFIP he recorded in 2015.