MLB Player News

Junk was optioned Monday to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Acquired by the Brewers in the Hunter Renfroe deal over the winter, Junk allowed six runs in 8.1 innings for the Angels prior to being dealt and spent most of last season at the Triple-A level. The right-hander will likely be an up-and-down option for the Brewers in the 2023 season.

Gasser was assigned to minor-league camp on Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Gasser was acquired by the Brewers from the Padres in the Josh Hader trade last summer, and he was promoted to Triple-A Nashville in August of 2022. He accrued a 4.44 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 31:16 K:BB across 26.1 frames with the Sounds and could be a candidate to join the Brewers later on in 2023.

A report stating that Quintana (rib) would be shut down for three months is "premature," Mets general manager Billy Eppler told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on Monday.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reported earlier Monday that Quintana would not throw a baseball for at least three months and would be out until around the All-Star break as he recovers from a stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side. However, Eppler said Monday that "I don't have all the information yet" and any talk of the lefty being shut down is "just premature." It's also notable that Eppler didn't outright deny the report. A lengthy absence for Quintana seems to be the most likely scenario, but the Mets could still be in information-gathering mode before making an official decision. Tylor Megill and David Peterson are in the running to fill Quintana's rotation spot.

Cobb (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The side session should provide the Giants with a good gauge for how Cobb's left knee is feeling two days after it was struck by a line drive during his Cactus League start versus the Dodgers. Cobb was diagnosed with a bruise after follow-up tests ruled out any structural damage to the knee, so the right-hander looks as though he could be on track to return to the Giants' spring pitching schedule without having to miss a start. The team will offer an update on his next steps once he completes the bullpen session.

Stripling has allowed six runs on 13 hits while striking out nine and walking none over 8.1 innings across three Cactus League games.

Stripling made his first start of the spring Sunday versus Oakland after appearing as a reliever in his first two outings. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports Stripling took a comebacker off the glove in Sunday's game, but there's no concern of an injury at this time. The 33-year-old right-hander was effective with a 3.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 111:20 K:BB across 134.1 innings with the Blue Jays a year ago, and he should slot in toward the back of the Giants' rotation this season, though his favorable home park could make him worth a look in deeper fantasy drafts.

Peterson (foot) could be behind Tylor Megill in the pecking order for a rotation spot with the Mets following Jose Quintana's (rib) injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Peterson has missed a little time this spring with a foot contusion (he could return Tuesday), but this seems to be more about the team viewing Megill as having more upside. Quintana is expected to be sidelined until around the All-Star break, so the Mets figure to wind up needing both pitchers, anyway. Peterson held a 3.83 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 105.2 innings in 2022 and is worthy of a late flier in fantasy leagues even if he doesn't start the year in the rotation.

Megill might be the favorite to open the season as the Mets' fifth starter with Jose Quintana (rib) sidelined, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

David Peterson pitched well for the Mets last season and would give the team a lefty alongside four righties in the rotation. However, Puma writes that the Mets "appear most intrigued by the idea of giving the spot to Megill," who held a 1.93 ERA over his first five starts in 2022 before his season was sidetracked by injury. Megill is healthy now, though, and has allowed just one run over his first 4.1 innings this spring. With Quintana expected to be out until around the All-Star break, the Mets might ultimately need both Megill and Peterson to make plenty of starts.

Quintana (rib) is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least three months, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Monday.

When asked earlier Monday, Mets manager Buck Showalter wasn't ready to commit to Quintana starting the season on the injured list. However, it's clear the skipper was just waiting for the team to get their ducks in a row before announcing anything. Quintana is dealing with a small stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side and the team looks to be taking a cautious approach with his recovery. He'll resume a throwing program around mid-June, with a return potentially around the All-Star break. With Quintana on the shelf, the Mets will need David Peterson and/or Tylor Megill to shoulder some of the rotation load, with Megill perhaps having a leg up.

Manager David Bell said Monday he expects Ashcraft (calf) to be available to start the next time his turn comes up in the Reds' Cactus League rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft exited his most recent start Sunday against the Dodgers with what the team labeled as calf cramps, and after further evaluation, his injury doesn't appear to be any more serious than that. Assuming Ashcraft is able to complete a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday without incident, he should be ready to pitch in a game as soon as Friday.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Monday that Quintana (rib) is not a given to begin the season on the injured list, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Showalter's comments appear to be more of a case of him not knowing what the exact plan is yet with Quintana rather than him being confident the lefty can avoid an IL stint. One week ago, Quintana was diagnosed with a small stress fracture in the fifth rib on his left side, and the team has yet to map out a schedule for him while his imaging is viewed by multiple parties. More should be known about the veteran hurler's status later this week, but for now his outlook remains up in the air.