MLB Player News

Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Grichuk (ankle) is "still progressing," but the team is unsure if Grichuk will be ready to go by Opening Day, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Grichuk has been forced to sit out of Cactus League action after undergoing a procedure to remove bone spurs in his right ankle. He resumed taking live batting practice March 8, but Grichuk has yet to make any significant strides toward returning since then. There is still time for Grichuk to get healthy and play in one of Arizona's final spring training games, but it's also possible the veteran outfielder begins the year on the IL and plays a few minor-league rehab games before making his season debut.

Abbott will open the regular season in the Reds' rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Brandon Williamson is set to miss the first several weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, meaning Abbott will claim the fifth and final spot in Cincinnati's rotation, at least until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is ready to return. Abbott hasn't had a particularly impressive spring, giving up seven earned runs in eight innings, but the 24-year-old southpaw had a successful enough rookie campaign to support the notion he'll bounce back during the regular season.

Williamson (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson left Sunday's game against Cleveland early due to shoulder soreness, and his injury is apparently severe enough to cause him to miss the first few weeks of the regular season. Manager David Bell said Tuesday that Williamson will be shut down from throwing for a couple of days, and there is no timetable currently in place for his return. With Williamson out, Andrew Abbott will fill the final spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation.

Cobb (hip) is scheduled to throw three innings during one of Friday's split-squad Cactus League games against the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chroniclereports.

The veteran right-hander struck out five in two hitless frames during a minor-league spring game Saturday and is now scheduled for his first Cactus League outing. Cobb underwent hip surgery in October and was initially expected to make his return during the middle of the summer, but he's significantly ahead of schedule in his recovery. A stint on the injured list to begin the season is still the expectation, but at this rate, Cobb could be ramped up for his season debut just a few weeks into the season.

Perdomo (knee) is in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Perdomo injured his knee on a slide during a Cactus League game last week, but a long-term absence was never likely for the 24-year-old. Perdomo is just 4-for-25 through 10 spring games, but he remains the favorite to start at shortstop for the D-backs on Opening Day.

The Giants reassigned Pinder to minor-league camp Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pinder signed a minor-league contract with the Giants in November. The outfielder spent most of last season with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, slashing 265/.401/.417 with 34 RBI across 279 plate appearances. In spring training, the 28-year-old recorded seven hits and a home run across 21 plate appearances in 13 games.

The Giants optioned Lopez to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants acquired Lopez from Toronto during the offseason, and he will return to the minors to begin the season after going 5-for-21 with a homer and nine RBI during the spring. Lopez has three hits in five career MLB plate appearances, though he will have to prove he can perform consistently in Triple-A before he can secure a big-league role.

Happ (hamstring) is starting in left field and batting sixth in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

The 29-year-old started at designated hitter Sunday in his first Cactus League action since Feb. 29 due to a hamstring strain, and he's now back to playing the outfield. Happ will get in a few games during the final week of spring training and should be ready to go for Opening Day next week.

Reid-Foley has been dealing with arm fatigue but threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to pitch in a game later this week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander finished last season on the injured list with a lat strain, and he'd recently been battling arm fatigue after he entered camp healthy. Reid-Foley is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, and he should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen for the Mets.

The Phillies optioned Hall to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

With Bryce Harper now handling first base and Kyle Schwarber settling in at designated hitter, Hall's future with the Phillies looks cloudy. For now, he'll represent depth at Lehigh Valley.