MLB Player News

Jackson left in the seventh inning of Thursday's game against the Padres with a back injury, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Jackson signalled for the trainer after throwing ball four to Jackson Merrill, and Ryan Walker came in to close out the seventh. Jackson noted after the game that he felt his back tighten after his second to last pitch to Merrill, and the right-hander will undergo an MRI on Thursday night, per Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Senzel broke his thumb while fielding a groundball before Thursday's game against the Reds, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals should offer more details following Thursday's game, but it sounds like Senzel may be facing an extended absence to begin the season. Ildemaro Vargas entered the lineup as Senzel's replacement and figures to see regular reps at third base while he's out.

The Giants placed Hjelle (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Hjelle has resumed throwing off the mound since being shut down earlier this month with a mild right elbow sprain, but he's still likely to face an uphill battle to make it back from the 15-day injured list April 9 when first eligible. At this stage, Alex Cobb (hip) seems to be ahead of Hjelle in his throwing progression, as Cobb threw 40 pitches in a minor-league spring training game last weekend. If Cobb beats Hjelle back from the IL, the latter would likely have to settle for a long-relief role or a rotation spot at Triple-A Sacramento upon being activated.

The Cubs placed Kilian (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Kilian was diagnosed in early March with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. The team noted at the time that it's an injury that can have a wide range of timelines, but the righty is likely to be out at least until around the All-Star break.

The Giants placed Cobb (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

After undergoing left hip surgery Oct. 31, Cobb wasn't able to heal swiftly enough to earn a spot on the Giants' Opening Day roster, but he's still coming along far quicker than his initial six-month recovery timeline. Cobb threw 40 pitches in a minor-league spring training game last Friday and looks like he should be ready to make a rehab start with one of the Giants' affiliates in the near future or continue building up his pitch count at extended spring training in Arizona. He'll need at least a few outings before he's ready to handle a typical starter's workload with the Giants, but he looks like he could be a candidate to make his season debut in late April or early May.

Morel will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and cleanup batter in Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers.

The Cubs gave Morel plenty of run at third base this spring in hopes that he would capture that job. While he still figures to be used plenty at the hot corner, it displays some lack of trust in Morel's defense on manager Craig Counsell's part that he's not playing the field Opening Day. Fantasy managers mostly care that he's just in the lineup, of course, and that he's hitting cleanup shows faith in his bat.

Tauchman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Tauchman was a candidate to serve as the Cubs' DH on Opening Day, but Christopher Morel will get the nod instead with Nick Madrigal starting at third base. Tauchman slashed .252/.363/.377 across 401 plate appearances last season and will operate as Chicago's fourth outfielder to begin the new season.

Madrigal will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers.

Madrigal was a question mark for Opening Day not long ago due to a hamstring injury, but he's avoided an injured list stint and is in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup. Presumed third baseman Christopher Morel is starting at designated hitter.

The Giants placed Small (oblique) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Small sustained a Grade 2 right oblique strain just under two weeks ago and will now spend the first two months of the regular season rehabbing and recovering from the injury after landing on the 60-day IL. The 27-year-old lefty had served as a starter for most of his professional career but made the full-time move to the bullpen last season while he was in the Milwaukee organization.

The Mets placed Reid-Foley on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.

Reid-Foley missed much of spring training with what had been described as arm fatigue and ultimately landed on the IL with a shoulder issue. The Mets haven't provided a timetable for the right-handed reliever's return.