MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) will throw a two-inning live batting practice Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gray continues to recover from a flexor strain in his right elbow that has kept him out of action since April 4. His session Saturday is the next step in his throwing program, and if all goes well, the Nationals could look to send the 26-year-old right-hander on a rehab assignment.

Ray (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray began throwing bullpen sessions during spring training, but Saturday will mark the first time he has faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. The 32-year-old southpaw still isn't expected to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He will throw a few additional rounds of live BP before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, at which point a firmer return date could become clear.

Wicks (forearm) is making a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wicks started throwing off a mound a week ago and has made it through several bullpen sessions without a setback. He may need to make one or two additional starts at Iowa before rejoining the Cubs. Wicks owns a 4.70 ERA across five starts this season with Chicago.

Freeland (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Freeland was placed on the 15-day injured list back in the middle of April, but despite throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, he has been shifted to the 60-day IL. He'll be eligible for activation in mid-June.

Senga (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for three-to-five days after he received a cortisone shot Friday for inflammation in his triceps, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old was scratched from a bullpen session last weekend due to triceps tightness, and he underwent an MRI this week that revealed the inflammation. Senga appeared to be close to beginning a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a shoulder capsule strain, but the triceps issue has halted his progress and further clouds his return timeline.

Abbott's next start will come Tuesday against St. Louis, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott was initially scheduled to start Sunday against the Dodgers, but he'll instead get a full week off between starts after tossing seven innings in back-to-back appearances. He'll also trade in a tough matchup with the Dodgers for a significantly easier opponent in the Cardinals. The 25-year-old has a 3-4 record on the season but boasts a 2.68 ERA across 57 innings.

Black was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Black will make room for the newly signed Drew Pomeranz, exiting the big leagues after four appearances (three starts). During that time, he submitted an 8.79 ERA and a 10:7 K:BB across 14.1 innings.

Parker's next projected start will be pushed back to Monday at Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. Parker was initially scheduled to face the Mariners on Sunday.

Parker will have a full week in between starts, getting the series opener against Atlanta instead of Patrick Corbin. On the year, Parker owns a 3.32 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 38 innings.

Corbin is listed as the Nationals' probable pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Corbin's next start will come five days after he allowed eight runs against the Twins on Tuesday, pushing Mitchell Parker to Monday in order to give the young southpaw an extra day of rest. Corbin has been erratic this season, yielding five or more runs four times but surrendering fewer than three runs on three occasions. He owns a 6.29 ERA overall.

Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver on the 15-day injured list Friday with a strained left oblique.

Smith-Shawver struck out four over 4.1 scoreless innings in a spot start versus the Cubs on Thursday but evidently suffered an oblique injury in the process. It's not clear at this point how long he might be sidelined, but oblique strains generally require longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Smith-Shawver might head back to Triple-A Gwinnett once he's healthy, though it could depend on Atlanta's rotation needs at the time.