MLB Player News

Steele was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain Thursday and will be placed on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele suffered the injury in Thursday's season opener against the Rangers as he attempted to field a bunt. Manager Craig Counsell didn't commit to a minimum 15-day stint for Steele, but a clearer timeline should emerge after he undergoes an MRI on Friday. With Jameson Taillon (back) also sidelined, the Cubs rotation is shorthanded. Drew Smyly is a candidate to shift from a relief to starting role as a result.

Leiter tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers. He struck out three.

With Justin Steele (hamstring) getting pulled after only 4.2 innings, the Cubs needed some length from their bullpen, and Leiter stepped up. The righty was solid in 2023, and while he should help the team this year, he has limited fantasy upside working in front of Hector Neris and closer Adbert Alzolay.

Morel went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.

Morel had a good game but almost had a great game, as he narrowly missed a grand slam on a long foul ball in the top of the 10th inning with the contest tied 3-3. The 24-year-old batted cleanup, and he should have the opportunity to post strong numbers this season from the middle of Chicago's lineup, particularly in the power department.

The Mets placed Kranick (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Kranick is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he sustained in his only Grapefruit League start back on Feb. 26. It's unclear where Kranick stands in his recovery at this point, but the injury cost him any chance he had of making a case for a back-end spot in the New York rotation. Kranick has a minor-league option remaining, so if the Mets want to have him stay stretched out as a starter, he could be sent to Triple-A Syracuse once he's reinstated from the IL.

Alzolay allowed a run on a hit and a walk to blow the save in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.

Alzolay entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning staked to a 3-2 lead but promptly allowed a tying home run to pinch-hitter Travis Jankowski. He walked another hitter before escaping the frame. Alzolay only blew three saves in 25 opportunities last season and posted a strong 2.67 ERA, so he should have some leeway in the early going. However, veteran Hector Neris is now on the roster, and he could push Alzolay for closing duties at some point this year if the struggles persist.

The Brewers placed Miley on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left shoulder impingement.

Miley will be eligible to return from the IL on April 9 and appears to be trending toward a return at or around that date. According to MLB.com, Miley threw a three-inning simulated game at Citi Field on Wednesday without issue. The Brewers plan to have Miley either toss one more sim game or head out to a minor-league affiliate to make one or two rehab starts before he slots into the big-league rotation.

The Brewers placed Clarke (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right meniscus tear.

According to MLB.com, Clarke is expected to miss at least 6-to-8 weeks due to the injury, which he suffered during a workout in the final week of spring training. Surgery apparently isn't off the table for Clarke, which would extend his recovery timeline and potentially put him at risk of missing the season. For the time being, Clarke looks like he'll try to treat the injury with rest and rehab, so he'll pause his baseball activities for the next two weeks before likely beginning a throwing program. Before suffering the injury, Clarke had been expected to fill a middle-relief role after posting a 5.95 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 59 innings with the Royals in 2023.

The Brewers placed Williams (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Williams isn't expected to resume throwing for another month and likely won't be ready for game action until around midseason while he recovers from two stress fractures in his back, so he could be a candidate to move to the 60-day IL the next time the Brewers need to open up room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers have yet to anoint a new closer in place of Williams, but Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe and Joel Payamps look to be the early frontrunners to contend for save chances.

The Brewers placed Mitchell (finger) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Mitchell will likely face a 6-to-8-week absence to begin the season due to the fractured left index finger he suffered in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. While Mitchell is on the shelf, the Brewers will likely turn to Sal Frelick and Blake Perkins to form a platoon in center field.

Bart (hamstring) made the Giants' Opening Day roster but didn't appear off the bench in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Padres.

Bart tweaked his right hamstring in a March 22 Cactus League game, but he was able to play in both of the Giants' Bay Bridge Series exhibition games against the Athletics on Monday and Tuesday to guarantee his availability for the start of the season. He's opening the season as the Giants' No. 3 catcher and is unlikely to see much playing time behind Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.