MLB Player News

Elder (3-1) earned the win Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings against the Nationals. He struck out six.

Elder worked through a two-run first inning and pitched into the seventh frame to earn his third win of the season. After making 28 starts and posting a 5.30 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 156.1 innings last year, expectations were minimal for the right-hander entering 2026, but he has delivered strong results with a 1.50 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through five outings (30 innings). Elder's next start is lined up to come Saturday against the Phillies.

Dollander is slated to work as a bulk reliever behind an opener in Tuesday's game against the Padres, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Dollander was also deployed out of the bullpen to follow an opener during his most recent outing in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Astros. The approach worked well for the right-hander, who picked up the win after firing 5.1 scoreless frames while striking out nine.

Wicks (elbow) struck out two batters and allowed one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa.

Heading into spring training, Wicks was expected to vie for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen, but he was shut down early in camp with left elbow inflammation and was later placed on the injured list. Given that Wicks tossed 37 pitches in his first rehab appearance, the Cubs may now be looking to stretch him out for a starting role, after Chicago's rotation depth has already been tested early on this season. Matthew Boyd (biceps) appears likely to beat Wicks back from the IL to reclaim a rotation spot from either Javier Assad or Colin Rea, but the Cubs may still be compelled to give Wicks a look as a starter if he continues to thrive while on assignment in Iowa.

Freeland (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Freeland landed on the 15-day IL last Wednesday due to left shoulder inflammation. He relayed to reporters that Monday's session was "good," a sign that he may be available to return from the IL when he's eligible to do so in late April. In the three starts prior to his injury, Freeland went 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

Gray (elbow) remains shut down from throwing and will undergo additional testing, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

It's an ominous sign for Gray, who missed most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery before suffering a flexor strain at the end of spring training. Gray is already on the 60-day injured list and could be looking at another long-term absence.

Hoffmann gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three in 2.1 innings Sunday against the Blue Jays.

The one run allowed came on a Kazuma Okamoto home run. Hoffmann was shifted between the majors and minors late last year to little success, posting a 6.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 11 appearances (12.1 innings), but he's turned it around to the tune of a 1-0 record with a 1.74 ERA in six games so far in 2026. The 26-year-old broke camp after an excellent spring where he earned a 2.25 ERA and 10 strikeouts across eight innings while improving his slider. The right-hander is looking to get more high-leverage opportunities with A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (UCL) starting on the injured list.

Canning (Achilles) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Through his first three starts with El Paso, Canning has compiled a 4.32 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB across 8.1 innings. After his 2025 season came to an early end in June due to a torn left Achilles tendon that required surgery, Canning hasn't reported any setbacks since starting his rehab assignment and could be on track to return from the injured list as soon as next week. He built up to 67 pitches in his most recent start, so if he can get further stretched out in Wednesday's outing while showing improved control, the Padres may feel comfortable activating him. Matt Waldron would likely be most at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Canning is deemed ready to join San Diego.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Giants, allowing four hits and a walk over four scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander worked as a bulk reliever, taking the mound after PJ Poulin recorded the first two outs for the Nationals, and Mikolas just missed collecting his first win of the season -- Washington scored all three of its runs right after he was lifted after 61 pitches (40 strikes) for Andrew Alvarez, who completed a combined shutout. Mikolas still has an ugly 9.15 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings over five appearances (three starts) this season, but Sunday's effort was at least encouraging. Mikolas lines up for another favorable matchup, either as a starter or a primary pitcher, next weekend on the road against the White Sox.

Myers gave up one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings during Sunday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out two.

Making his first start of the season as an opener in front of David Peterson, Myers tossed 16 of 28 pitches for strikes in an effective performance. The right-hander has given the Mets quality innings in 2026 after being acquired from the Brewers as a secondary piece of the Freddy Peralta trade, posting a 3.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 15 frames. Myers' fantasy value is very limited in his current role, however.

The Twins are expected to place Funderburk on the paternity list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Mets, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

With Funderburk's wife due to deliver the couple's first child Monday, the lefty reliever will most likely remain away from the team for its entire upcoming three-game road series in Queens before linking back up with the Twins for their weekend series in Tampa. Minnesota plans to call up left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul to take Funderburk's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen. One of five different Twins to record a save this season, Funderburk has also collected four holds while pitching to a 2.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB in nine innings.