MLB Player News

Cobb (hip) has been cleared to begin a throwing program, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb had to halt his throwing program last week after experiencing soreness in his pitching shoulder, but tests came back clean and he'll now try to ramp things back up following a brief shutdown period. The right-hander will be eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list in late May, but it's too soon to know whether he might have a shot to be ready at that time.

Gray (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It will be the first time Gray has thrown off a mound since he was diagnosed with a flexor strain nearly a month ago. The right-hander will eventually progress to facing hitters and going out on a rehab assignment, but it could be a couple weeks still before he's ready to return.

The Phillies are considering piggybacking Turnbull with another starter, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Turnbull's stint in the Phillies' rotation was supposed to be temporary while Taijuan Walker (shoulder) worked his way back. However, Turnbull has pitched so well -- posting a 1.67 ERA and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings -- that the club is considering ways to keep him in its rotation even with Walker back in the fold. A six-man rotation hasn't been ruled out, although manager Rob Thomson has indicated it's unlikely. Instead, it seems that Turnbull and another starter -- either Walker or Cristopher Sanchez -- will be used in tandem, with the decision on who would start and who would be in long relief that day depending on the opposition. Turnbull could still eventually shift to the bullpen on a full-time basis, as he hasn't thrown more than 56.2 innings in a season since 2019, but it doesn't sound like that's going to happen yet. Thomson indicated that he could make an announcement regarding his rotation plans as soon as Friday.

The Cardinals placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 1, with a lower-back strain.

Matz attempted to pitch through back soreness in his last start Tuesday in Detroit, but it didn't go well and an MRI has revealed a strain. It's not clear at this point how long he might be on the shelf. The Cards haven't revealed who will take Matz's spot in the rotation, but his next turn would be Tuesday and Sem Robberse would be on regular rest that day.

Craig Counsell said Friday that Hendricks (back) will start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday as he continues his rehab assignment, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hendricks allowed two runs while striking out seven over five innings with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday, with Counsell referring to the outing as "encouraging." However, given how badly Hendricks struggled with the big club before his back injury, the Cubs will give him another tune-up start at a higher level before considering a return to the major-league rotation.

Steele (hamstring) will start Monday against the Padres as long as he gets through a bullpen session Saturday with no issues, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The results of Steele's lone rehab start weren't great -- he allowed three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings -- but he feels good and has put his hamstring injury in the rearview mirror, which is the most important thing. Steele threw 63 pitches in his rehab outing Wednesday, so he will be somewhat limited from a workload perspective Monday, assuming he is indeed cleared to rejoin the Cubs' rotation that day.

Wicks (forearm) has been cleared to begin playing catch, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left forearm strain, so it would seem to be a good sign that he's already throwing again. A potential timeline for his return, however, remains up in the air. Hayden Wesneski is occupying Wicks' spot in the Cubs' rotation.

Steele (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, after which he will be reevaluated to determine whether he's ready to rejoin the big-league rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The left-hander felt good after he allowed three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings during a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, and the Cubs are now determining if another rehab start is necessary. Steele could step back into Chicago's rotation early next week if all goes well during Saturday's bullpen session.

Hendricks (back) is back in Chicago to be reevaluated after making a rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hendricks' line at Tennessee was promising, as he struck out seven and didn't walk anyone while allowing two runs over five innings. Whether he showed enough to be immediately re-inserted into the Cubs' rotation seemingly will be decided after he meets with the team. Hendricks had put up an ugly 12.00 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over five outings before going on the injured list, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the team asks him to make additional rehab starts before being activated.

Megill (shoulder) threw 2.2 innings in a rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out four without walking a batter.

While the outing seems short, Megill threw 51 pitches in his second rehab appearance after firing two perfect innings for Binghamton on April 27. The Mets are moving to a six-man rotation in the short term by bringing up top prospect Christian Scott on Saturday, but Megill's current schedule has him in sync with Jose Butto rather than struggling fifth starter Adrian Houser. Megill will make at least one more rehab start, and his 10:0 K:BB through 4.2 innings against Double-A hitters suggests he's already 100 percent stuff-wise, but New York may not be in a rush to activate the 28-year-old righty if there's no obvious vacancy for him in the rotation.