MLB Player News

Painter (elbow) played catch Monday for the first time since March 1, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's been a month since Painter was revealed to have been diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and he's at the beginning stages of what will be a slow-paced throwing program. The hope remains that the top prospect will contribute at the major-league level at some point this season, but it will be a while before a timetable on his return to game action becomes clearer.

High-A Eugene placed Bednar (back) on its 7-day injured list Thursday.

Bednar remains at extended spring training to begin the minor-league season while he continues to recover from the back injury that cropped up while he was pitching in the Arizona Fall League in October. The right-hander hasn't been shut down from throwing, so he shouldn't be in store for an especially lengthy stay on the shelf to begin the campaign.

Roupp is building up his arm strength in extended spring training, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

This usually means the player dealt with an injury in camp or showed up to camp with an injury. It's unclear if Roupp will need weeks or months before he is ready to head to one of the Giants' upper-level affiliates. The 6-foot-2 righty leaned heavily on his dominant breaking ball last year and logged a 2.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 69:16 K:BB and 56 percent groundball rate in 50.2 innings over his final 10 starts across High-A and Double-A.

Vela is on the 7-day injured list at High-A Fort Wayne with an undisclosed injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

A 24-year-old southpaw, Vela has consistently struggled to throw enough strikes to project as a starting pitcher in the big leagues. The lowest walk rate of his career was the 11 percent mark he logged at High-A in 2021, and he walked batters at an alarming 18.5 percent clip in his first taste of Double-A last year.

Dodd (1-1) took the loss Sunday against San Diego after he gave up seven runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and one walk over 4.1 innings.

The 24-year-old threw 60 of his 84 pitches for strikes and perhaps found too much of the plate at times, as he surrendered two homers and four doubles. Dodd allowed just one run in five frames during his MLB debut last week, and he's likely to remain in the rotation for now since Max Fried (hamstring) isn't likely to return from the injured list for at least a couple weeks.

Lugo (2-0) earned the win Sunday in Atlanta after he gave up one run on five hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Lugo labored with his command and threw 65 of 109 pitches for strikes, but he kept Atlanta off the board by scattering five singles. The 33-year-old served as a reliever for the Mets for most of the past five years, but he's off to a strong start in the Padres' rotation this season with a 1.38 ERA and 12:4 K:BB in 13 frames.

Nelson (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Dodgers after he allowed three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks across six innings.

Nelson generated just seven swinging strikes but did enough to limit Los Angeles and secure his first win of the season. The 25-year-old has faced the Dodgers and Padres in his first two starts of 2023, and he fared well enough with three runs given up in each outing. The right-hander tentatively lines up for a more favorable matchup versus the Marlins next weekend.

Grove (0-1) took the loss Sunday in Arizona after he gave up nine runs on 12 hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 3.1 innings.

Grove surrendered runs in all four of his innings Sunday as the Diamondbacks jumped out to a 9-3 lead. The 26-year-old has allowed 12 runs with an 8:3 K:BB over 7.1 frames in his first two starts while filling in for Ryan Pepiot (oblique). With Pepiot and Tony Gonsolin (ankle) not appearing likely to immediately return from the injured list, Grove could receive another turn through the rotation.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Burrows was diagnosed with a forearm injury after exiting his start Saturday at Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Cherington added that Burrows' elbow is stable, but the forearm issue still could be enough of a concern to keep the 23-year-old right-hander on the shelf for at least a couple turns through the rotation. Burrows worked 6.2 innings between his first two starts with Indianapolis, giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three.

Walker did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings during a 6-4 loss to the Reds. He struck out five.

Walker took the loss during his season debut last Monday by giving up four runs in 4.1 innings, but he was slightly more effective during Sunday's series finale against the Reds. He fell just short of qualifying for the win, but the Phillies' bullpen was also unable to preserve the team's lead late in the game. The righty tentatively lines up for a rematch with Cincinnati on the road.