MLB Player News

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.

The Angels designated Quijada for assignment Tuesday.

Quijada will fall short in his bid for a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen after giving up 11 earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in just 7.1 innings during Cactus League play. He'll be joined on waivers by Angel Perdomo, freeing up two roster spots for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson.

The Angels designated Perdomo for assignment Tuesday.

Perdomo split his spring between the Atlanta and Los Angeles organizations, giving up six runs (two earned) while striking out eight batters across 10 total innings. The left-hander doesn't have any options remaining, so he'll be stripped of his 40-man spot as the Halos attempt to send him to Triple-A Salt Lake. Jose Quijada was also DFA'd, creating room for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson to join the active roster.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Church has made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The skipper mentioned Church as a possible closer candidate earlier in camp, and Church's impressive strikeout stuff certainly warrants him being in that conversation. However, the 23-year-old righty finished Cactus League play with four runs allowed in 8.2 innings, so save opportunities now seem likely be split between Luke Jackson, Chris Martin and Robert Garcia to begin the season.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Weissert has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Weissert allowed six earned runs in one of his eight spring training appearances, but he had scoreless outings in the other seven. The righty had his best season yet in 2024, notching a 3.13 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 63.1 innings.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Kelly has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Kelly allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts across 7.2 innings in his seven appearances during spring training. The righty began the 2024 season well, posting a 1.53 ERA across his first 29.1 innings. However, he had a 6.59 ERA across his next 27.1 innings, which resulted in him being optioned to Triple-A Worcester in September. He will look to use his spring training as jumping point to recapture what he had in the first half of 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.

Wesneski (foot) is starting Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land.

Wesneski needed X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in an appearance in a minor-league game last week, but those tests were negative and he is fine. The right-hander will open the season as the Astros' fifth starter.