MLB Player News

McLain went 1-for-2 with a walk and a three-run home run in Tuesday's exhibition game against Reds minor leaguers.

McLain didn't put up big numbers in the Cactus League this spring (.255/.281/.418) and acknowledged to Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine that he's had to shake off some rust. What matters most is that McLain is healthy, as he described himself as being in a "good spot" heading into the 2025 season after missing all of 2024 due to injury. The 25-year-old is tentatively expected to bat second in the order for the Reds against Logan Webb and the Giants on Thursday.

Friedl is projected to serve as the Reds' Opening Day center fielder and leadoff hitter Thursday against the Giants, Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine reports.

Friedl looks poised to return to the role of primary table-setter in Cincinnati -- a spot he filled regularly under former manager David Bell. Injuries limited Friedl to just 85 games last season and likely sapped his effectiveness at the plate, as his OPS plummeted from .819 in 2023 to just .690 in 2024. The 29-year-old managed only two extra-base hits (both doubles) and didn't steal a base this spring, but he at least got on base at a .352 clip across 54 Cactus League plate appearances.

Hays is projected to serve as the Reds' Opening Day left fielder and cleanup hitter against the Giants on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine reports.

Hays had a great spring after signing a one-year deal with the Reds in January, slashing .310/.370/.690 with three homers and a steal across 46 plate appearances. The Reds made it clear when they signed him that Hays would be given the chance to play every day, and he's now positioned himself for a key run-producing spot in Cincinnati behind TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz -- at least against right-handed pitching. Hays could move up even higher in the order against lefties.

Jones won't require surgery on his sore right elbow but he'll be held out from throwing for six weeks and will begin the season on the injured list, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones was unable to make his final Grapefruit League start last week after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow, prompting the Pirates to send him in for tests. After receiving a pair of medical opinions, Jones has elected to go the rest-and-rehab route for treating the injury, but he won't be able to resume a throwing program until around mid-May and will likely need several weeks after that to get fully stretched back out for a starting role. As a result of the 23-year-old's injury, Carmen Mlodzinski will open the season in the rotation as Pittsburgh's No. 5 starter.

Betts (illness) will start at shortstop and bat second in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Angels.

Betts has been battling an illness since the Dodgers' trip to Tokyo, but he has now recovered and will be active for the team's final tune-up game before the start of its stateside schedule. The 32-year-old had a rough time in the Cactus League, posting a .636 OPS across 25 plate appearances.

Atlanta placed Murphy (ribs) on the 10-day injured list Monday.

Murphy was ruled out 4-to-6 weeks after suffering a fractured rib on his left side in early March, so the move to the IL is procedural. With the 30-year-old sidelined for the start of the season, prospect Drake Baldwin recently had his contract selected and is expected to begin the campaign as Atlanta's primary catcher.

Atlanta placed Jimenez on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left knee articular cartilage injury.

Jimenez underwent knee surgery back in November and will be out at least until the second half and perhaps for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. He is a candidate to be shifted to the 60-day IL if/when Atlanta needs to free up a spot on its 40-man roster.

Atlanta placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left wrist inflammation.

Alvarez tweaked the wrist in late February and the injury lingered long enough to force an IL stint. The 21-year-old will be eligible to return April 4, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready at that time and he seems likely to be sent to the minors once healthy.

Atlanta placed Strider (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Monday.

The move is simply a procedural one for the right-hander as he finishes up his rehab from the internal brace procedure he underwent last April. Strider was able to get in two Grapefruit League starts before the end of spring training and had a 10:1 K:BB with two earned runs allowed over four innings, potentially setting him up to make his 2025 debut as early as mid-April.

Atlanta placed Acuna (knee) on the 10-day injured list Monday.

The 27-year-old is expected to make his season debut in early or mid-May as he continues to rehab from ACL surgery, so his move to the IL was an inevitability. Acuna has been able to take part in most baseball activities during spring training but has yet to be cleared for game action. Once he begins a rehab assignment, there should be a better idea of when exactly Acuna will make his 2025 debut.