MLB Player News

Lauer (3-2) took the loss Tuesday versus the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out four.

The left-hander needed 85 pitches to record just nine outs, with Detroit scoring all four of its runs during a 40-pitch second inning. It's been boom or bust through five starts for Lauer this year, as he's given up 10 earned runs in his two losses but has a 2.37 ERA across 19 frames in his three victories.

Snell (0-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Snell once again was unable to pick up a win, but that had more to do with the lack of offense behind him than how he pitched against the Cubs on Tuesday. The southpaw allowed a two-run homer to Yan Gomes in the second inning, but Snell was able to keep Chicago off the board from that point on. Unfortunately for him and the Padres, the San Diego offense was unable to reach the scoreboard against Justin Steele and the Cubs' bullpen. Control was once again an issue for Snell even in a solid outing, as he has walked at least three batters in four consecutive starts and issued 18 overall free passes in 23 innings.

Steele (4-0) earned the win Tuesday, allowing zero runs on three hits and two walks across 5.1 innings in a 6-0 victory over San Diego. He struck out five.

Steele was excellent once again against the Padres on Tuesday, and the southpaw threw 59 of 98 pitches for strikes. None of the hits he allowed in the contest went for extra bases, and he's now gone gone five starts in a row to begin 2023 without allowing more than two runs. Steele will take a sensational 1.19 ERA into a scheduled start against the Marlins this coming weekend.

Urena was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Tuesday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The 31-year-old re-signed with the Rockies in November on a one-year, $3 million deal, but the club cut its losses after he went 0-4 with a 9.82 ERA, 2.24 WHIP and 9:14 K:BB in five starts to begin the season. Urena is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed given the remaining money on his contract.

Miller (shoulder) reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and is scheduled to make his season debut Friday.

Miller got off to a bit of a late start this season after developing some minor right shoulder soreness toward the end of spring training. The 24-year-old can now continue his ascent through the Dodgers' minor-league system and could very well reach the majors at some point in 2023. He struck out 145 batters in 112.1 innings in 2022 between stints at Triple-A and Double-A Tulsa.

Smith-Shawver has not allowed an earned run while striking out 17 in nine innings through two starts for High-A Rome.

We knew entering the season that Smith-Shawver had an electric arsenal, but the key to his excellent start to the season is his 8.6 percent walk rate, which is much more manageable than the 13 percent mark he logged at Single-A. At 20 years old, Smith-Shawver is also one of the youngest pitchers at High-A, and it wouldn't be surprising if Atlanta bumped him to Double-A if he keeps stacking starts of this caliber.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Tuesday that Gonsolin (ankle) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday at Pittsburgh, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Gonsolin could be in line for a piggyback start or even as the lead option in a bullpen day after he made only one three-inning minor-league rehab start and topped out at 57 pitches. He'll get built up on the fly and should eventually round into form as a high-impact fantasy option in the rotation, but he's not expected to cover much more than four innings Wednesday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 28-year-old went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 119:35 K:BB over 130.1 innings (24 starts) in 2022. He missed the beginning of the 2023 campaign after suffering a left ankle sprain in the Cactus League this spring.

Suarez (forearm) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Reading on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Suarez, who has been on the 15-day injured list all season with the left forearm injury, is expected to be limited to two innings in his first start at any level in 2023. The Phillies are planning for Suarez to get stretched out over the course of 3-to-4 rehab starts in the minors before he's deemed ready to reclaim a spot in the big-league rotation.

Verlander (shoulder) confirmed Tuesday he expects to return from the 15-day injured list after making just one minor-league rehab start, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.

That rehab start is scheduled to take place Friday, when he's expected to cover around 3-to-4 innings in his first appearance since spring training, per Pat Ragazzo of SI.com. Assuming all goes well Friday, Verlander will then be on track to make his Mets debut next week in Detroit. The veteran right-hander has been on the shelf with a low-grade teres major strain, but he's checked all the necessary boxes so far in his recovery. Even at age 40 and coming off this recent shoulder scare, Verlander projects for ace-like production the rest of the way in 2023.

The Mets recalled Butto from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, and he's in line to start or serve as a bulk reliever in the team's series opener versus the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Butto was optioned to Triple-A just eight days ago, but he'll be able to rejoin the big club in fewer than the minimum 15 days because the Mets placed reliever Edwin Uceta (ankle) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. The rookie right-hander acquitted himself well in his first start with the big club April 16 in Oakland, covering five innings and allowing one earned run in a no-decision. Butto tentatively lines up for a two-start week -- he's in line to take the hill again Sunday in Atlanta -- but he could head back to the minors immediately after that outing with ace Justin Verlander (shoulder) likely to return from the IL in the first week of May.