MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell confirmed Wednesday that Sims (back) will open the season on the injured list, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Sims has been bothered by back spasms, and the reliever won't be ready for the start of the season. Bell also said that Sims along with Luke Weaver (forearm) will likely pitch in rehab assignments for Triple-A Louisville before they're ready to join the Reds. Assuming he has no further setbacks, Sims has a good chance to pitch in the late innings for Cincinnati in the middle of April.

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

San Diego also reassigned Eric Hanhold and Aaron Brooks in this round of cuts from major-league camp. Knehr, 26, holds a 4.64 ERA and 30:24 K:BB in 42.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Winckowski is starting Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates after Kutter Crawford (undisclosed) was scratched, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

Winckowski was scheduled to pitch Thursday in a relief role, but with Crawford unavailable, the right-hander will instead pitch in a tradional starting role. A strong outing for the 24-year-old might make him the favorite to win a spot in the rotation for the Red Sox, but he also may have locked up that role if there's any sort of injury plaguing Crawford.

Raley (hamstring) pitched in a minor-league game Wednesday and is on track to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Raley suffered a low-grade strain of his left hamstring earlier this month as he was gearing up to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but he has checked most of the necessary boxes in the weeks since and should be good to go for Opening Day. The left-hander could factor into the saves mix for the Mets in 2023 with Edwin Diaz (knee) already done for the year.

Okert was held out of action Wednesday in Marlins camp because of an adductor issue, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's something Okert has dealt with in the past and the Marlins didn't want to push him this close to Opening Day. It sounds like they feel he will be fine after a bit of rest and treatment. The 32-year-old right-hander projects to operate in a later-inning role for Miami this season.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Chargois is dealing with a stiff neck, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Chargois is already making progress with the neck trouble, and Schumaker believes he will be able to return to action for Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. The right-hander is expected to be a middle-innings option for Miami to begin the 2023 campaign.

Strahm could begin the season as the fifth starter or bulk reliever for the Phillies, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Strahm has been getting stretched out this spring in preparation for a multi-inning relief role, so the southpaw shouldn't be too taxed if he's called upon to make starts or serve as a primary pitcher to begin the regular season after manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Ranger Suarez likely won't be ready for Opening Day while contending with forearm inflammation. If Strahm is given the opportunity to make starts early on, he's unlikely to work deep enough into games to qualify for wins whenever his turn in the rotation comes up.

Burdi was reassigned Wednesday to the minor-league side of Rays camp.

Burdi had allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk through 4.2 innings of work this spring in the Grapefruit League. The oft-injured 28-year-old carries a career 7.79 ERA in 17.1 total major-league frames.

Bristo was reassigned Wednesday to the minor-league side of Rays camp.

Bristo joined the Rays on a minor-league contract this winter after posting a rather underwhelming 4.56 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 64:31 K:BB over 53.1 innings last summer for Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization. He is 28 years old and has yet to appear in a game at the MLB level.

Rossman signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Mets.

Rossman made his MLB debut with the Phillies last year at age 30 and surrendered two earned runs over one inning before heading back down to Triple-A. The right-hander will function as minor-league bullpen depth for New York in 2023.