MLB Player News

Matz (back) played catch off the mound Friday in St. Louis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz has been on the 15-day injured list since May 3 while dealing with a lower-back strain, more specifically a protruding disc, but manager Oli Marmol said Friday that the expectation for the left-hander is for him to throw at a higher intensity Monday. It's unclear how close Matz is to returning to game action, but prior to being activated from the injured list, he'll likely have to make at least one rehab start with a minor-league affiliate.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Taillon was scratched from Friday's start against the Pirates due to back stiffness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Taillon felt his back tighten up Tuesday when playing catch, and it didn't improve in time for him to make his scheduled start in the series opener. Counsell noted that the right-hander's back issue is not as bad as the one he dealt with in spring training, which caused Taillon to start the season on the 15-day IL. He will be re-evaluated Saturday, and there's a chance he could take the mound Sunday. Javier Assad will start Friday while Justin Steele will get the nod Saturday.

The Pirates acquired Jefferies from the Giants on Friday in exchange for Rodolfo Nolasco, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Jefferies had been designated for assignment after allowing nine earned runs on 14 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings during his brief time with the Giants. It was his first stint in the big leagues since 2022, as he missed all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Jefferies figures to join the rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Brewers selected Gasser's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Gasser is set to make his major-league debut Friday against the Cardinals. The left-hander began the season on the injured list at Nashville with an elbow issue before returning to post a 5.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 12 innings. He threw 78 pitches in his last outing, so Gasser would seem prepared to throw 90 or so Friday. He could head back to Nashville after this start, but a good performance might keep him in the rotation for another turn or two until DL Hall (knee) returns from the IL.

Falter will start Sunday's game against the Cubs, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Paul Skenes will come up to make his major-league debut Saturday, which has thrown the rotation statuses of Falter and Quinn Priester into question. While Falter will take the ball Sunday, manager Derek Shelton wasn't ready to commit to how his rotation will look after that. Falter has a 4.34 ERA and 26:9 K:BB over 37.1 innings covering seven starts this season.

Taillon won't start Friday in Pittsburgh, as the Cubs list Javier Assad as their starter for the series opener versus the Pirates, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The late change perhaps hints that Taillon may be tending to an injury. The decision to have Assad take the hill for the series opener instead wouldn't seem to be the result of any dissatisfaction with Taillon's performance, as the 32-year-old has opened his second season with the Cubs with a 3-0 record, 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 24 innings. Justin Steele will take the hill on four days' rest to start Saturday, while the Cubs are listing their starter for Sunday's series finale as "TBA." More clarity on Chicago's plans for Sunday -- as well as when Taillon might next pitch -- could come prior to Friday's contest.

Gray (4-2) took the loss against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

The Brewers got to Gray early and often, scoring three times off the right-hander in the first inning before tacking on single runs in the second, fourth and fifth frames. Gray allowed season highs in hits (seven), runs (six) and home runs (three) in the contest and also failed to go at least six innings for the first time in his last five starts. He now holds a 4.50 ERA in May to go along with a 12:2 K:BB.

Winn (3-5) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.

Winn actually carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, but things completely unraveled for him in that frame. The Rockies teed off on the right-hander for six straight hits -- including two doubles, a triple and a homer -- before he was able to record an out, with the damage resulting in six runs. Winn momentarily recovered to retire two batters before Charlie Blackmon ended his outing with another triple. After recording three straight quality starts and victories to end April, Winn has been blown up for 12 runs over 4.1 frames across his past two starts.

Quantrill (2-3) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only run and only extra-base hit Quantrill allowed came on a fourth-inning Michael Conforto solo homer. The right-handed hurler was otherwise in control throughout, as no other baserunner reached third base against him. Quantrill picked up his second straight win, and he has five quality starts over his past six appearances. That gives him some fantasy viability, but given his home park, mediocre strikeout numbers and season 3.94 ERA, he's probably still best reserved for deeper leagues.

Greene did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Greene's final line ultimately could've looked a lot worse after he issued a season-high five walks. The 24-year-old Greene has given up nine free passes over his last two starts (10.2 innings), though he's managed to hold opponents to just three runs in that span. Overall, he's 1-2 on the season with a 1.24 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB through eight starts (45.1 innings). Greene's currently slated for a rematch with the Diamondbacks on the road in his next outing.