MLB Player News

Greene's chances of making the Opening Day roster increased on Tuesday with the Reds' various roster moves, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "They definitely both feel like they belong. They're making a great impression. They're pitching like they belong and they do. It's just about making sure it's the right time," manager David Bell said about Greene and Nick Lodolo.

The Reds sent down Ben Lively, Graham Ashcraft and Kyle Zimmer, while informing Tony Santillan that he'd be pitching out of the bullpen. Greene has had a strong spring, and barring a late addition to the rotation mix, he's now a favorite to make the team.

Lodolo struck out three while allowing one baserunner over three shutout innings against the Rangers in spring training action Tuesday while also seeing his chances of making the Opening Day roster improve due to other developments, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I feel like I belong," Lodolo said. "I feel like my stuff is good enough. I believe in myself. I feel like every time out I've been facing pretty much everyone's actual lineup, so it's a definitely a confidence builder."

Tuesday afternoon was a busy day for Lodolo and the Reds rotation. Not only did he pitch well, but the team sent down Graham Ashcraft, Ben Lively and Kyle Zimmer, in addition to moving Tony Santillan into the bullpen. Additionally, the team confirmed that Luis Castillo and Mike Minor would both begin the year on the IL. Barring a dark-horse candidate entering the mix, that leaves just Tyler Mahle, Vladimir Gutierrez, Reiver Sanmartin, Lodolo and Hunter Greene as current healthy options to start.

Clevinger pitched 1.2 innings in a Cactus League contest versus the Giants on Tuesday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.

This was Clevinger's first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in November of 2020, and it couldn't have gone much worse. The right-hander made it through the first inning despite giving up two hits and a run, but he allowed three of the five batters he faced in the second to reach base, including two via walk. All three of those baserunners came around to score after he was replaced by a reliever, yet Clevinger -- under the unique rules of spring training -- was brought back out to start the third. That's when things really fell apart, as Clevinger yielded a pair of two-run homers and didn't record any outs. If there's any good news, it's that he came out of the contest without suffering any physical setbacks, and he appeared to be in good spirits after the rough outing. "I don't know if I've ever had a good spring training anyway. So I think if anything this plays into my strong suit, if we're looking for silver linings," Clevinger mused, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The 31-year-old should open the season in the Padres' rotation, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he isn't ready for a full workload right away.

Davies allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings in Tuesday's spring training start against the Cubs.

Davies made his Cactus League debut after the Diamondbacks signed him one week ago and started against the team for which he made 32 starts in 2021. There's enough time in spring training for one more start, so the right-hander may not build up enough pitches for the first turn of the rotation in the regular season, although he could be used as a game opener or in a piggyback role. Davies is the leading candidate to claim the No. 5 starter job.

Steele allowed two runs on three hits across 2.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He walked four and struck out one.

It was an uneven performance for Steele, who is vying for a spot in the back part of the Cubs' rotation to begin the season. Wade Miley (neck) may not be ready to go to start the year. Steele has a solid 2.70 ERA this spring, but his seven walks in 6.2 innings of work are obviously a bit concerning. The lefty will need to exhibit better control if he wants to have any sustained success this year.

Urena signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Urena spent last season in Detroit and appeared in 26 games (18 starts) with a 5.81 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 67:42 K:BB over 100.2 innings. The right-hander should report to big-league camp for the final stages of spring training, but he'll likely open the season at Triple-A Nashville since the Brewers have an established rotation.

Gallen (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday against the Rockies, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen has been behind since the start of camp after battling shoulder bursitis over the offseason. He's not all that far behind, however, as been throwing off a mound for two weeks. He's unlikely to be built up to a full starter's workload by Opening Day given his late start, but it's unclear if that means the Diamondbacks will send him to the injured list or simply have him finish ramping up while on the active roster.

Lucchesi (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The move has no impact on Lucchesi's availability, as he'll miss a substantial portion of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent last June. The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the Mets to add Yoan Lopez, who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins.

Lively was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Lively was merely in camp as a non-roster invitee but reportedly had a chance to win at least a temporary rotation spot, with both Luis Castillo and Mike Minor expected to miss the start of the season with shoulder injuries. He's no longer in the competition, which isn't too much of a surprise given that he spent the last three seasons producing a merely decent 4.14 ERA in the KBO.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Tuesday that Burnes will start the Brewers' Opening Day game April 7 against the Cubs in Chicago, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Though rotation mate Brandon Woodruff (2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP in 179.1 innings in 2021) would be a quality Opening Day starter for just about any other team, Burnes was the obvious top choice to take the hill for the Brewers' season opener fresh off winning his first Cy Young Award. While Milwaukee may choose to implement a six-man rotation for portions of the season in an effort to keep all of its starters fresh, Burnes should once again rank among the best pitchers in the league on a per-outing basis. He led all qualified starters in 2021 with a 30.4 K-BB%, with his ability to make bats miss, limit walks and suppress home runs helping him finish with a 1.63 FIP, 2.00 xERA and 2.30 xFIP. Those underlying numbers suggest he was even more dominant than his elite 2.43 ERA over 167 innings would indicate.