MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia was in the mix for a back-end bullpen spot to begin the season, but he'll instead head back to Iowa, where he spent most of the 2024 campaign. The righty ultimately appeared in 10 games for the Cubs last season and will serve as organizational depth once again in 2025.

McCann agreed to a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

McCann will catch on with Atlanta after he spent 2024 in Baltimore, batting .234 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 27 runs scored and one stolen base over 233 plate appearances during the regular season. Drake Baldwin and Chadwick Tromp had been expected to open the season as Atlanta's catching tandem while Sean Murphy recovers from a fractured rib, but McCann could get one of the two spots if Atlanta prefers to have a backstop on the roster with more MLB experience.

Grichuk is dealing with left ankle soreness following Monday's 11-5 loss to the Angels, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Grichuk went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in the contest, but apparently left the game a little worse for wear. Manager Torey Lovullo said that the outfielder's injury is "nothing alarming" and Grichuk isn't expected to miss any time. Grichuk can be considered day-to-day for the time being, but his status for Opening Day doesn't appear to be in question.

Ortiz is expected begin the 2025 season as the club's starting shortstop, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers appeared ready to give Brice Turang the nod at shortstop to begin the year, but a shoulder injury has derailed that plan. Instead, Ortiz is the likely candidate to at least start the campaign at shortstop, with Turang remaining at the keystone until he works through the shoulder issue.

Turang (shoulder) struggled during his throwing session Monday and will be shut down for 3-to-5 days, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers haven't expressed much long-term concern about Turang, whom McCalvy notes remains on track to play Opening Day. However, the reps that he'll miss out on over the next few days make it unlikely that Turang will begin the season as the starting shortstop, after Willy Adames left Milwaukee in free agency and signed with San Francisco. Joey Ortiz is now the leading candidate to play shortstop, while Turang likely handles an everyday role at second base, at least until he's able to fully move past the shoulder issue and isn't restricted with his throwing.

Harrison showed better velocity in his last Cactus League appearance Sunday versus the Athletics, sitting at 93-to-94 mph and touching 95 mph several times, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The bump up in velocity is encouraging, as Harrison had been sitting in the low-90s in camp after losing 13 pounds due to a virus. However, while his weight and velocity are coming back, Harrison's results this spring have not been encouraging, particularly his last two times out when he surrendered a combined eight runs in 4.2 innings. Meanwhile, Hayden Birdsong (0.75 ERA, 18:0 in 12 innings) and Landen Roupp (3.75 ERA, 14:1 K:BB in 12 frames) have both been excellent. The competition for the fifth spot in the Giants' rotation could come down to the wire.

Rogers has allowed just one run with a 10:4 K:BB over seven innings during his first seven Cactus League outings this spring.

Alexis Diaz has made just three appearances this spring due to injury and was roughed up his last time out. The Reds will have him pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday as he works on his issues. With Diaz's status looking shaky, Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and perhaps others could have an opportunity to stake claim on the Cincinnati closer job. Rogers has the most ninth-inning experience of the bunch and performed well last season with the Giants, posting a 2.40 ERA and 64:22 K:BB over 60 innings.

Diaz will pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was shelled for five runs on three hits and three walks while recording just one out in his last Cactus League appearance Saturday. Reds manager Terry Francona had a less than favorable review of Diaz's outing afterward, saying the reliever has "got to lock it in here," per Sheldon. It appears the team has determined the best spot for Diaz to attempt to get back on track, at least initially, is in a less pressurized situation. Diaz has made only three appearances this spring due to a hamstring issue and he also developed a cut on his right thumb during Saturday's appearance, although Francona contended that the thumb issue had nothing to do with Diaz's struggles in the outing. The 28-year-old entered camp as the clear favorite to serve as the Reds' closer, but his grip on the job might be tenuous. Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow loom as closer alternatives if Francona wants to go in another direction, with Rogers perhaps the favorite of the bunch.

Trevino (hand) will serve behind home plate and bat eighth in Monday's spring game against the Guardians.

Trevino's was injured in Friday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks after a foul tip off Corbin Carroll's bat struck him in his right hand. Trevino underwent CT scans Saturday, which came back negative, and the 31-year-old will serve as the Reds' catcher Monday. Trevino is expected to see significant playing time at the start of the 2025 campaign due to Tyler Stephenson (oblique) opening the regular season on the 10-day injured list.

Young traveled back to Cincinnati to be examined by the Reds' orthopedist to determine whether he needs Tommy John surgery, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's not clear when Young was injured, but he last appeared in a Cactus League game March 8 and was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday. The Reds should have more information on his status later this week.