MLB Player News

Middleton (personal) is listed among the Cardinals' available relievers for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

While it's unclear if St. Louis plans on having Middleton work behind starter Miles Mikolas on Monday, the fact that Middleton is on the lineup card is an indication that he's reported back to camp after taking some time away from the Cardinals late last week to tend to a personal matter.

Montas will start for the Reds on Opening Day against the Nationals, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell's announcement that Montas will get the nod over Hunter Greene comes as a bit of a surprise, but walks have been an issue for Greene this spring, while Montas has made a good early impression after the Reds shelled out $14 million to acquire his services this offseason. Montas underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery last year and missed almost the entire 2023 campaign, returning for only a single appearance on the final weekend. He made a combined 59 starts between Oakland and New York from 2021-22.

Pfaadt allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Sunday's start against the Dodgers.

Pfaadt was removed after he retired just two of the first six batters and then re-inserted to pitch the second and third innings. He set down the side in order after coming back into the game. Despite the results, Pfaadt told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that the outing was the best he felt in three spring starts. He's slotted in as the Diamondbacks' No. 4 starter.

Andrus started at third base and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Andrus made his debut for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. He was signed a week ago as another option to compete for a backup infield job. The organization needs someone that can back up Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop and also to fill in at second and third base. Andrus played both of those positions last season with the White Sox and will get more time at each position as Arizona evaluates him.

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Lipcius was acquired by the Dodgers on Monday, and he appeared in two Cactus League games with the team before being sent down, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. The infielder will now look to perform well while in Triple-A in an attempt to get called up to the majors at some point this summer.

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Gage appeared in four games with the Dodgers this spring, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four batters over four innings. The southpaw pitched in five games with the Astros in 2023, producing a 2.70 ERA with eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings, and he'll look to earn a call-up to the major-league roster with Los Angeles down the road.

Lodolo (tibia) struck out one over two hitless and scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against the Guardians.

Lodolo fired two perfect innings, and no ball made it out of the infield in his Cactus League debut. This was his first time pitching in 309 days since the left-hander suffered a stress fracture in his left tibia last year that limited him to seven starts. Lodolo told Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com that he felt good despite being anxious. The in-stadium scoreboard indicated his fastball topped out at 96 mph, up a few ticks from his average last season. Lodolo's slow progression through spring training will prevent him from being part of the first turn of the regular-season rotation, but he is expected to be ready soon after that.

McLain started at second base and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.

McLain took the field for the first time in a Cactus League game after dealing with an oblique injury. He batted third and played four innings in the field at what will be his primary position in 2024, as he's set to be Cincinnati's starter at second base. There's plenty of time for McLain to get at-bats and swings, and he should be ready to go Opening Day.

India started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against the Guardians.

India batted leadoff and homered in the bottom of the first inning. He's transitioning to a utility role that will mostly involve him playing the infield, but the club has exposed him to outfield reps during camp. This was India's second Cactus League start, but the first one was rained out after four innings Friday. India will mostly see time at the three infield base positions.

Matzek wasn't available for Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Orioles in the Grapefruit League after experiencing tightness around his left rib cage, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek pushed to pitch Saturday, but the Atlanta training and coaching staffs ultimately decided to hold him out as a matter of precaution. Assuming Matzek's injury isn't a lingering concern that prevents him from getting back on the mound within the next few days, he should be in good position to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen.