MLB Player News

The Reds placed Diaz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Diaz's placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday, so he could be activated as soon as April 8, assuming he's fully moved past his hamstring injury by then. The 28-year-old has notched at least 25 saves in consecutive seasons, but he struggled to keep his walks in check in both years and saw his strikeout rate dip to 22.7 percent in 2024. The control problems cropped up again this spring, which put Diaz's status as the Reds' closer on shaky ground even before he was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation. The Reds are seemingly prepared to take a committee approach to the closer position to begin the season, and if a reliever is quickly able to gain the trust of manager Terry Francona in the late innings, Diaz may not be in the mix for save chances once he's healthy.

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Mariners on March 15, Martinez's stay on Miami's 40-man roster lasted less than two weeks with the Marlins swapping him out for right-hander Tyler Phillips, whom the team acquired from the Phillies on Wednesday. Martinez spent most of the 2024 season in the majors with Houston, serving in a middle-relief role while logging a 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB while collecting three wins, three holds and one save over 52.2 innings.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that while Santillan is an "easy choice" to be the closer, "he might be too valuable getting to the ninth," Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

While Francona admitted he's not sure who his closer will be while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is sidelined, it's notable that he mentioned Santillan in the fashion that he did, suggesting the right-hander might be the favorite to see the first opportunity. Santillan began last season in the minors after re-signing with the Reds last offseason on a minor-league deal, but he was excellent with the big club after being called up, posting a 3.00 ERA and 46:9 K:BB over 30 innings. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan are other candidates to see save chances with the Reds.

The Cubs outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has experience as both a starter and reliever, and it's not clear which role the Cubs will use him in at Iowa.

The Cubs placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hip impingement.

Miller will be eligible for activation April 5, but it's not clear whether he might be ready by then. The right-handed reliever posted a 2.15 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 50.1 innings for the Cubs last season and is pegged for middle relief once healthy.

Graveman (back) will throw a bullpen session next week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Graveman dealt with back issues during spring training and never pitched in a Cactus League setting. He could emerge as a key reliever after the Diamondbacks announced Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Graveman missed all last season following shoulder surgery, but the right-hander had varying degrees of success in the three seasons prior to 2024.

Atlanta placed Jimenez on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left knee articular cartilage injury.

Jimenez underwent knee surgery back in November and will be out at least until the second half and perhaps for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. He is a candidate to be shifted to the 60-day IL if/when Atlanta needs to free up a spot on its 40-man roster.

Beeks agreed to a major-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The left-hander was cut loose by the Astros over the weekend after missing out on the Opening Day roster, but it didn't take long for him to find a new team. Beeks had a 4.50 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 55:27 K:BB in 70 innings between the Pirates and Rockies last season. He provides the Diamondbacks with some necessary depth with Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) and Jordan Montgomery (elbow) sidelined by injuries.

The Twins returned Castellano to the Phillies on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Rule 5 pick failed to make the Twins' Opening Day roster and went unclaimed by other clubs, resulting in a move back to his original organization. Castellano will likely open the 2025 season in the rotation at Double-A Reading.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Ginkel is likely to begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The right-hander pitched well during camp with one run allowed and an 8:1 K:BB over six frames in the Cactus League, but the shoulder issue surfaced in the last few days and will cost him the start of the campaign. It isn't expected to be a lengthy stay on the injured list, but Ginkel's absence will cement Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk as the primary options at closer to begin the year.