MLB Player News

Strasburg (neck) threw two innings in a simulated game at extended spring training Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg has been out all year as he makes his way back from thoracic outlet surgery. It's a big step to see him throwing in a simulated game, but he still has several weeks to go before being activated from the injured list. He'll have to go through a full spring build-up process as he gradually increases his pitch count.

Steele (thumb) will start Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele was removed from his last start due to a left thumb issue, but he tested things out off the mound Friday and will be cleared to make his next turn through the rotation. Over his last five starts, the southpaw has posted a 6.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 17 innings.

Corry (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list at High-A Eugene on Saturday.

Corry is likely to be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder, so this is just a procedural move. He should be good to go fairly early on in 2023.

Perez struck out nine while giving up two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings for Double-A Pensacola on Friday.

The right-hander has yet to complete six innings in a start this season, but considering Perez just turned 19 a month ago, it's hard to criticize the Marlins for keeping a very careful eye on his workload. He's otherwise been dominating hitters 3-4 years older than him on average, and Perez leads the Southern League with 45 strikeouts against only eight walks through 28 innings. Miami will be in no rush to promote him, but if a spot opens up in the Triple-A rotation over the summer, it's wouldn't be a shock if Perez got the call.

Wainwright (illness) will start Sunday against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Wainwright tested positive for COVID-19 last week but rejoined the Cardinals on Thursday and will take the mound in Sunday's series finale against the Giants. The right-hander threw a bullpen session, but it's possible that he has his workload monitored following his absence.

Fried didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-6 loss to the Padres, giving up four runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw was still the pitcher of record when Atlanta took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, lining him up for his fifth straight win, but Will Smith served up a three-run blast to Ha-Seong Kim in the top of the seventh to flip the script. Fried has had a strong start to the year, posting a 3.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 41:4 K:BB through 43 innings.

Darvish didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-6 win over Atlanta, giving up five runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander exited the game after 99 pitches (67 strikes) on the hook for his second loss of the year, but a rally by the Padres in the top of the seventh erased Darvish as the pitcher of record. The outing snapped a streak of four straight quality starts for the 35-year-old, and Darvish will carry a 4.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB through 39 innings into his next outing.

Gibson didn't factor into the decision during Friday's 12-10 victory over the Dodgers, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk with one strikeout in 3.2 innings.

Gibson retired the first six Dodgers in order but fell apart thereafter, surrendering five runs on five hits and a walk in the third and an additional run in the fourth before being pulled. After recording 16 whiffs in his first two turns, the 34-year-old now has just 14 in the five ensuing starts with a 4.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP on the season. He's tentatively scheduled to square off against San Diego on Thursday for his next start.

Buehler registered a no-decision during Friday's 12-10 loss against the Phillies, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts in five innings.

Buehler let two runs across in the second inning and three more in the fourth, all of them coming with two outs. The five runs surrendered nearly matches his total of seven through the 27-year-old's first 24.2 innings and caused his ERA to spike nearly one full run from 1.96 to 2.81. Additionally, Buehler has only struck out more than six batters once in seven starts after doing so 15 times last season. He's projected to start again early next week against Arizona.

Smyly (1-4) took the loss during Friday's 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Smyly was able to get through Arizona's order clean the first and third time through, but was tagged for three runs on four hits in the third and an additional run on a walk and a hit in the fourth. The six innings is the longest the 32-year-old has gone this season though the 10 hits easily surpass a previous high of six as Smyly owns a high 1.35 WHIP despite a quality 3.64 ERA. He's currently slated to pitch again early next week for a third match with Pittsburgh.