MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Brasier on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to a hip injury.

Brasier's move to the IL comes after he was lit up in his final Cactus League appearance Monday, when he retired just one batter and served up four earned runs on four hits, including three home runs. Prior to that, Brasier had delivered four perfect innings in spring training to earn a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster for its two-game series in Tokyo versus the Dodgers. As a result of the hip issue, Brasier won't be available to return from the IL until April 9. The 37-year-old previously missed around two and a half months during the 2024 season due to a calf injury.

Gray (illness) will make his scheduled Opening Day start Thursday against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gray dealt with the flu for a week that sapped him of some strength and might have contributed to his decreased velocity this spring. However, he's feeling better and has been cleared to take the ball for the opener. The veteran right-hander held a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 28 starts during his first season in St. Louis in 2024.

Phillips (shoulder) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.

Phillips is recovering from a torn muscle in his rotator cuff that dates back to the postseason last year. The right-hander was slow-played during spring training and was placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-March. Phillips worked as the Dodgers' closer for much of the past two seasons, but he's likely to take on a middle-relief role upon his return in 2025.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kopech (shoulder) is "sort of in a holding pattern" with his throwing, per MLB.com.

Kopech is dealing with a right shoulder impingement and will open the campaign on the injured list. He had been throwing bullpen sessions as of early March, but given Roberts' comments, it's unclear what the righty reliever's throwing program looks like at the moment. Kopech notched six regular-season saves for Los Angeles after being acquired from the White Sox in late July last year, but he's been slated for a setup role when healthy this season with newcomer Tanner Scott expected to work as the Dodgers' primary closer.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Gonsolin (back) is "progressing nicely" in this throwing program, per MLB.com.

Gonsolin was competing for a rotation spot for much of spring training, but he injured his back while lifting weights in early March and will open the season on the injured list. Meanwhile, Dustin May will begin the campaign as the Dodgers' fifth starter. Gonsolin doesn't seem to be dealing with a long-term issue, but it's unclear what his role will be upon his return. The right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Jones was diagnosed with a UCL sprain to the right elbow Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates initially announced the injury as soreness, but Todd Tomcyzk, the team's director of sports medicine, delivered the full diagnosis Wednesday. He further elaborated that the ligament is stable, which has allowed Jones to avoid surgery for the time being. The announcement doesn't appear to change Jones' timeline to return as he'll still be shut down from throwing for six weeks, though there's a chance he will begin a two-handed plyo program in roughly three weeks.

Maldonado has been informed that he will make San Diego's Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Maldonado's shortcomings as a hitter are well-documented -- he hasn't notched a regular-season batting average above .191 since 2020 and slashed a meager .167/.310/.208 during spring training this year. However, the veteran's defense and ability to work with pitchers are well respected, which appears to be enough for him to break camp with the big club as the Padres' No. 2 catcher behind Elias Diaz. Former vaunted prospect Luis Campusano was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday, but Maldonado's roster spot could be challenged at any point in the season if Campusano shows growth with the bat in the minors.

The Diamondbacks placed Ginkel (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Ginkel will miss the first few series of the 2025 campaign due to inflammation in his right shoulder, but he shouldn't need more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. Once healthy, the 31-year-old righty is expected to handle high-leverage situations, though Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk will likely receive the bulk of ninth-inning opportunities.

The Giants reassigned Stassi to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Even with the Giants placing Tom Murphy (back) on the 60-day injured list to begin the season, Stassi was unable to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster as a backup catcher. The Giants will instead go with Sam Huff as the No. 2 option behind top backstop Patrick Bailey, while Stassi heads to Triple-A. Stassi hasn't seen big-league action since 2022 and was limited to just five games in the minors in 2024 before undergoing a season-ending left hip surfacing procedure last June.

Darvish (elbow) played light catch Wednesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday marks the first time Darvish has done any sort of throwing since being shut down last week with inflammation in his right elbow. He's set to be placed on the injured list before the Padres' regular-season opener Thursday, and a clearer timeline for the veteran righty's return may emerge once he's cleared to resume mound work.