MLB Player News

Jones (knee) will start in left field and bat second for the Rockies in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Brewers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Jones had to depart Saturday's game after fouling a pitch off his right knee, but he managed to escape with just a bruise and is back in action after one day of rest. The 25-year-old will be the Rockies' everyday left fielder in 2024 following a breakout 2023 campaign.

Woodruff (shoulder) confirmed Saturday that he won't pitch during the 2024 season but expects to return to full strength for 2025, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "Honestly, I'm going [to] be the strongest I'll ever be at any point in my career because I'm going [to] have a year and just basically get my body ready for pitching," Woodruff said.

The Brewers non-tendered Woodruff in November, about a month after he underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He reunited with Milwaukee in February on a two-year, $7.5 million deal, with both parties recognizing that the 2024 portion of the contract would be dedicated to rehab and recovery. Since having surgery in the fall, Woodruff seems to be encouraged with where he stands five months later. He's already started playing catch again and could advance to throwing off a mound at some point during the summer. Milwaukee placed Woodruff on the 60-day injured list Feb. 21, and he'll remain off the 40-man roster for the entire season before being reinstated.

The Rockies reassigned Carasiti to minor-league camp Monday.

Carasiti posted a 6.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 24.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 before he was moved off the 40-man roster in October. He returned to the Rockies on a minor-league deal in February and made a strong case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out 10 over eight scoreless frames in Cactus League play, but Carasiti seemed to get caught up in a numbers game. Assuming he doesn't opt out of his minor-league deal, the 32-year-old right-hander is likely to remain in the organization as bullpen depth at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies reassigned Koch to minor-league camp Monday.

Koch made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 and made a strong case in spring training for a roster spot with a 3.52 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings in Cactus League play, but the Rockies ultimately didn't have room for him. The 33-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the season and will look to continue impressing in the Pacific Coast League with the hope of getting a call-up.

Falter was informed Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stumpf relays that prospect Jared Jones will be included in the Opening Day rotation, but it's not yet clear whether Falter, Luis Ortiz or someone else will fill the fifth and final starting spot. Falter doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so if he misses out on a rotation spot, he would most head to the bullpen since he would have to be moved off the 40-man roster in order to be eligible to pitch in the minors.

Garcia has made the Nationals' 26-man roster to begin the season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old will be the only left-hander in the team's initial bullpen, potentially putting him in line for regular high-leverage work. Garcia posted solid numbers in 2023 over 25 big-league appearances split between the Marlins and Nats, collecting two wins and four holds with a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB.

Mlodzinski (forearm) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Mlodzinki has been sidelined by right forearm tightness since mid-March. He has resumed throwing and would appear to have a shot to return when his 15 days are up or close to it. Mlodzinski is pegged for a setup role, once healthy.

Adams will begin the season as the Nationals' backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz.

Adams was surprisingly productive at the plate in 2023, slashing .273/.331/.476 with four homers in 158 plate appearances, and he showed no signs of regression in camp. Ruiz will see a heavy workload, but Adams has earned the trust of the pitching staff and could see more consistent action in 2024, giving him some fantasy appeal as a cheap endgame catcher in deep formats.

Bae (hip) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bae has dealt with a left hip flexor injury for the last few weeks and is just beginning his running progression this week. It's not clear how long his stint on the IL might last. He's likely in line for a utility role once healthy.

Grandal (foot) is set to begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates may wait until Thursday to officially place Grandal on the IL, but he'll be sidelined to begin the season while he still has yet to resume running as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis. Grandal hasn't been shut down from activity entirely, as he's still been able to catch and hit in simulated games at spring training as of last week, per MLB.com. While Grandal is on the shelf, Henry Davis should move into a full-time role behind the plate.