MLB Player News

The Brewers informed Patrick on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Patrick was optioned to Triple-A Nashville back in early March, but he is now needed on the big-league roster while the Brewers contend with multiple injuries to starting pitchers in addition to Jose Quintana needing more time to get ramped up. It's possible Patrick will be needed to make a start or two early on in the season, though the Brewers could also deploy him as a bulk reliever.

Bote has exercised his upward mobility clause, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The move allows Bote to leave if another organization wants to give him a major-league contract. If that doesn't happen, he will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Bote had a great spring training, hitting .400 with a couple homers, but he has just 48 plate appearances in the big leagues over the last two seasons.

The Cubs outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has experience as both a starter and reliever, and it's not clear which role the Cubs will use him in at Iowa.

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.

Steer (shoulder) was included in the lineup at designated hitter for Tuesday's exhibition game.

The Reds played against a group of their own prospects, and Steer played with the minor leaguers, who operated with a 10-player batting order to accommodate the 27-year-old. Steer missed most of the Cactus League season due to shoulder discomfort and he's tentatively expected to open the season on the injured list. Without Steer, the Reds will get by with a mix of Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Gavin Lux at DH and the corner infield positions.

Lux started at left field in Tuesday's exhibition game against High-A Dayton.

Left field was expected to be the spot occupied by Austin Hays, but he was left out of the lineup due to a calf injury. Lux, who was exposed to the outfield during spring training, took over. It's unclear if Hays' injury will linger into Opening Day. A healthy Hays likely means Lux will lineup at third base of designated hitter. The latter can also spot in at second base. Lux and Jeimer Candelario are expected to share third base/DH to open the regular season, but lineup decisions will become trickier once Spencer Steer (shoulder) is ready to go.

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.

Nelson will remain stretched out as a reliever, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "(Nelson) is going to be able to provide us some length," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "We feel like we've got some solid backup there just in case the starter doesn't give us what he needs to."

Nelson, who fell short in his bid to be the No. 5 starter, became the top long option out the bullpen following the news that Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery. The Montgomery news also suggests that Nelson could be in line to start should a current member of the rotation require extended downtime due to injury. Nelson was a valued part of the rotation in 2024, when he improved in several underlying metrics (K:BB, K/9, BB/9, HR/9) compared to 2023.

Hays was not in the lineup for Tuesday's exhibition game against Reds minor leaguers and the radio broadcast indicated that Hays is dealing with a calf injury, Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hays played in the Cactus League finale Sunday, but his status for Opening Day is now in question. The broadcast suggested the club will know more Wednesday. If healthy enough to play, Hays will likely serve as the Reds' cleanup hitter Thursday against the Giants.

Lodolo allowed just one run over six innings in his final spring training out against the Guardians, striking out seven and retiring the final 11 batters he faced, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo was the only Reds starter to go six innings in Arizona this spring and will open the season as their No. 2 starter, getting his first start Saturday at home against the Giants.