MLB Player News

Johnson (foot) has played in two of Double-A Altoona's first three games of the season, going 2-for-8 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run.

Johnson's availability for the start of the minor-league season appeared to be in some question after he was unable to play in the Pirates' March 14 Spring Breakout game due to a bone bruise in his left foot, but he was evidently able to move past the issue a few weeks later. One of the top prospects in Pittsburgh's system, the 20-year-old Johnson is coming off a 2024 season in which he posted a .752 OPS with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases over 124 games between Altoona and High-A Greensboro.

Knack appears in line to start Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated previously that they would use a spot starter or a bullpen game Wednesday. Knack has joined the team on the road, so it looks like he'll take the ball Wednesday. The 27-year-old made 12 starts among 15 regular-season appearances with the big club as a rookie last year, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 69:18 K:BB over 69 innings. Knack spun two scoreless frames and picked up a win versus the Cubs in the second game of last month's Tokyo series.

Cox (elbow) made his season debut for Single-A Fresno on Friday, striking out three over two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and two walks.

Cox made an abbreviated start in what was his first minor-league outing since July 9, 2023, but he could increase his pitch counts in his subsequent appearances. He missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Brewers designated Wolfram for assignment Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Quinn Priester, who was acquired via trade Monday. Wolfram was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday but didn't pitch in the Brewers' win over the Reds before being optioned immediately after the game.

The Brewers acquired Priester from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Priester had been at Triple-A Worcester, where he allowed two runs with a 6:0 K:BB over four innings in his first start. He will join the major-league club in Milwaukee and should immediately slide into a rotation that's been hit hard by injuries. It's the second time since last summer that Priester has been traded, as he went from the Pirates to the Red Sox for Nick Yorke in July.

Winn has notched four straight multi-hit games after going hitless in his first five contests of the season.

Winn is still looking for his first extra-base hit of the season, but he's gone 8-for-15 with five runs scored across his last four tilts. The 23-year-old has remained at the bottom of the Cardinals' batting order, which hurts his counting stats outlooks, but he could inch his way back up the batting order if he stays hot.

Acuna (knee) is scheduled to meet with doctors in Los Angeles in the upcoming days with the hope of receiving final clearance to begin ramping up his running, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

Acuna took batting practice and was able to do most baseball activities during spring training, but he's still waiting to get the green light to perform defensive drills in the outfield and change-of-direction running. He seems to be on the cusp of being cleared for full activities, and once that happens, he'll likely steadily increase the intensity of his workouts over the next few weeks before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment. Atlanta isn't putting a definitive timeline on when Acuna will be ready to make his 2025 debut as he works his way back from his second major knee surgery in three years, but he seems to be tracking toward an early-to-mid-May return at this stage.

Ross might see more high-leverage work while Jordan Romano sorts through his struggles, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Ross has permitted one run with a 3:1 K:BB over four innings this season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that he views Ross as someone who can give the team "a little bit of bulk," but also is "kind of a leverage guy, too," based on how his stuff has looked. Ross is still behind Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm in the bullpen pecking order, but he is inching up the hierarchy.

Struggling with his velocity and results, Romano is expected to be used in low-leverage situations in the immediate future, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Romano has been touched up for five runs with a 2:3 K:BB over his last two appearances covering a total of one inning. He averaged just 93.5 mph with his four-seamer in Sunday's outing against the Dodgers, which is down nearly three full mph from last season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated that Romano has been checked out by the team's trainers and "there's no red flags" physically, but the skipper admitted that "it concerns me a little bit that the velocity's down." Jose Alvarado picked up his second save for the Phillies in Sunday's victory over the Dodgers and is the team's best bet for saves right now.

Dreyer struck out four while allowing no hits and issuing two walks over 2.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Phillies.

Added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster over the winter after a standout season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the 26-year-old Dreyer continued to thrive during spring training and earned his spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He's looked strong through his five appearances thus far, most of which have come in middle relief. The lefty has allowed just one earned run and has struck out eight batters while holding opponents to an .080 average over 7.2 innings.