MLB Player News

The Pirates sent Holderman (illness) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday to begin a rehab assignment.

A lengthy battle with a virus kept Holderman out of action for a significant amount of time during spring training, so he will head to Indianapolis in order to properly prepare for his regular-season debut. The 28-year-old righty will be eligible to return from the IL on April 9.

Alvarado (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Phillies were downed 9-3 by Atlanta, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Entering a 2-2 tie in the top of the eighth inning, Alvarado struggled with his control and tossed only 15 of 30 pitches for strikes. The left-hander left the mound with the bases loaded having allowed two runs, and Connor Brogdon let all three inherited runners cross the plate. Alvarado is still the top option for saves in what is likely to be a fluid Phillies bullpen, but a bad start to the season could let Jeff Hoffman pass him in the ninth-inning pecking order, and Orion Kerkering (forearm) could also be a factor once he's healthy.

Middleton (forearm) will start a throwing program Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Next week will mark the first time Middleton has thrown since March 16 after he sustained a right forearm strain during spring training. He was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday, and Middleton's progress in the throwing program will give the Cardinals a better idea as to when the right-hander will be able to return to the majors.

The Giants placed Jackson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jackson had to leave Thursday's game against San Diego after straining his back, and the injury is apparently severe enough to sideline him for a couple of weeks. Kai-Wei Teng was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill Jackson's spot in the bullpen.

Uribe retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Mets. He did not record a strikeout.

The 23-year-old threw eight of his 11 pitches for strikes as he received Milwaukee's first save chance in the absence of Devin Williams (back). Trevor Megill and Joel Payamps worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Uribe appears to have the leg up for closing duties to begin the season, but Megill and Payamps could still be a factor if manager Pat Murphy elects to utilize a committee approach.

Simpson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Simpson has dealt with a left elbow issue since late February and began the season on the injured list. He looks to be making nice progress, though, and could be ready for a rehab assignment soon.

Vieira is included on the Brewers' 26-man active roster for Friday's season opener versus the Mets.

Vieira finished the 2023 season on the injured list due to a right calf strain, but he was fully healthy for spring training and posted a 3.52 ERA and 13:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings during Cactus League play to secure his spot on the Opening Day roster. Though closer Devin Williams (back) is expected to be sidelined for the first two-plus months of the season, Vieira is unlikely to factor into the mix for saves given his limited body of work in the majors and the control issues that he's exhibited at every stop of his professional career. That being said, Vieira brings premium velocity to the table and should be a strong source of strikeouts on a per-inning basis even if he's relegated to a middle-relief role for Milwaukee.

The Rockies placed Bard (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bard missed the entirety of spring training after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his left knee in mid-February. According to MLB.com, the right-hander also received platelet-rich plasma injections in his forearm this offseason, but working his way back from the knee procedure seems to be the veteran reliever's chief concern. Bard had been scheduled to resume throwing bullpen sessions this week, and he could be ready to face hitters at some point in the first or second week of April before heading out on a rehab assignment. Heading into spring training, he was expected to factor into the Rockies' unsettled closer picture, but Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley now look to be the top candidates for saves.

Moll (shoulder) was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Friday to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Moll was sidelined for most of spring training due to a shoulder impingement and has opened the season on the 15-day injured list. The early assignment to Triple-A suggests he should be able to join the Reds by the middle of April.

Ramirez will begin the season in the Mets' bullpen, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

After a strong spring, the 28-year-old claimed the last spot in the bullpen when Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) was placed on the IL to begin the season. The Mets will be Ramirez's fifth big-league team in five seasons, and his 4.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 67:37 K:BB over 75.2 innings since 2022 don't suggest he's a candidate for high-leverage work.