MLB Player News

Lauer (4-1) allowed five hits through seven scoreless innings Friday, striking out five and earning the victory over Washington.

Lauer bounced back from his first loss of the season in dominant fashion Friday. He allowed just one extra-base hit and danced around a couple of threats by the Nationals. It was his second straight game without issuing a free pass as he improved his K:BB to an impressive 54:8 through 41.2 innings. Lauer will carry a 2.16 ERA into his projected start in San Diego next week.

Heaney (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Heaney threw 15 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday, and he doubled his pitch count during Friday's throwing session. The southpaw is expected to throw at least one more bullpen but will likely have a chance to face live hitters soon as long as his next throwing session goes well.

Strasburg (neck) threw 43 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg threw two simulated innings late last week and continues to get closer to being cleared for a rehab assignment. The right-hander is expected to toss 60 pitches over four innings during his next throwing session, and that could occur with a minor-league affiliate. The Nationals will likely be cautious before activating Strasburg given his injury history, but he's made encouraging progress recently.

Williams will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Williams made his second start of the season Tuesday and threw 65 pitches over four scoreless frames, and he'll take the mound again Saturday on three days rest. The 30-year-old should remain in the Mets' starting rotation for the foreseeable future given the injuries to Jacob deGrom (shoulder), Max Scherzer (oblique) and Tylor Megill (biceps).

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Kershaw (pelvis) is likely "a couple weeks away" from throwing a bullpen session, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 34-year-old was unable to throw a bullpen session Wednesday as scheduled, and it appears he won't be back on the mound for at least a couple more weeks. Kershaw received an epidural to address the inflammation and soreness he's been experiencing in his right SI joint, and he'll apparently need some time for the injection to help settle things down. Given the time required to build his arm strength back up, the left-hander is now likely to be sidelined until at least the second half of June.

Ashcraft had his contract selected by the Reds on Friday.

Cincinnati placed multiple players on the restricted list Friday who can't travel to Canada, and Ashcraft will join the club to provide bullpen depth. The 24-year-old has started seven games at Triple-A Louisville this season and has a 2.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB over 32.2 innings, but he's not expected to see time in the rotation in Toronto with Luis Castillo, Hunter Greene and Connor Overton lined up to start for the Reds.

Mahle (undisclosed) was placed on the restricted list before Friday's game at Toronto.

Mahle is presumably unvaccinated and unable to enter Canada for the three-game set this weekend. The 27-year-old wasn't scheduled to pitch regardless after taking a no-decision Thursday in Cleveland, and he should be back on the active roster for his next turn through the rotation, which should come early next week against the Cubs.

Carrasco won't start as scheduled Friday against the Rockies since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The contest will be made up via a doubleheader Saturday, and Carrasco is likely to start one of those games. The Mets have yet to name a starter for Saturday's originally scheduled game, though David Peterson should be in the mix for a promotion.

Marquez won't pitch as scheduled Friday against the Mets after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game is scheduled to be made up via a doubleheader Saturday, and Marquez figures to start one of those contests. Saturday's originally scheduled starter, Austin Gomber, should take the mound for the other game.

Gallen (3-0) allowed one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Cubs.

Gallen opened the game by retiring eight of the first nine hitters he faced. He ran into trouble from there but managed to induce a groundout to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. Though he didn't look his sharpest Thursday, Gallen has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all seven of his starts this season. As a result, he owns a 1.14 ERA with 39:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings.