MLB Player News

The Brewers reassigned Arroyo to minor-league camp Friday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Arroyo was in the mix for playing time in the infield as a non-roster invitee, but he went just 4-for-22 with an 8:1 K:BB over 23 plate appearances this spring. He will give the Brewers veteran infield depth at Triple-A Nashville, assuming he doesn't opt out.

The Brewers optioned Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Ashby came into camp with a shot at a rotation spot, but he allowed four runs (three earned) with a 3:4 K:BB over three innings and continued to struggle to regain the velocity he showed prior to his shoulder surgery. The left-hander could still play a major role with the Brewers this season, but he'll try to sharpen things up in the minors first.

Flores (knee) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's split-squad game against the Cubs.

The 32-year-old was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to knee soreness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine two days later since it was a minor issue. Flores clubbed 23 homers in 126 games last season and should be a regular lineup piece again in 2024, but he'll likely need to move around the infield in order to see consistent playing time.

The Brewers optioned Wiemer to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

The Brewers are loaded with outfielders even with Sal Frelick slated to spend some time in the infield, and Wiemer ultimately wasn't able to make the team. The 25-year-old will be given regular at-bats with Nashville.

Harper (back) had seven at-bats on a back field Friday and hopes to play first base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Matt Gelb of The Athleticreports.

The 31-year-old was able to beat out an infield single, a good sign that the back stiffness that's sidelined him for the past week has subsided. Harper returning to action this weekend would quell questions about his availability for Opening Day.

The Cubs have not yet determined whether Madrigal (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Madrigal has been sidelined for most of this month with a right hamstring strain, but he's doing better and is likely to play in a minor-league game Sunday. It sounds like it's basically a coin flip as to whether he'll require an IL stint to begin the season.

Wisdom (back) will open the season on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's not clear what the official diagnosis is for Wisdom's back injury, but the club hopes his stay on the IL will be a brief one. Once healthy, Wisdom is projected to see starts against left-handed pitching while shifting between third base, first base and designated hitter.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Snell will pitch in a minor-league game Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Snell threw his first bullpen session Thursday since signing with the Giants and over the weekend will get into some game action. The left-hander has already said he will not be ready for Opening Day as he ramps up his workload following a late signing. It's not clear when he might make his regular-season debut, but the Giants will determine Snell's next steps following Sunday's outing.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Friday that Taillon (back) will begin the season on the injured list and won't be ready to return until at least mid-April, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander only recently resumed mound work after recovering from the back tightness that scratched him from a spring start March 9, so it's not a shock he won't be ready to begin the regular season. Taillon is throwing a bullpen session Friday and will need some time to build up to a starter's workload, so a mid-April return is likely a best-case scenario.

Hjelle (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The tall right-hander is ready to take the next step in his throwing progression as he works his way back from a partial UCL tear in his pitching elbow. Hjelle will need time on the injured list, but the hope is that he can avoid Tommy John surgery.