MLB Player News

Wright was optioned to Atlanta's alternate training site following his start Friday against the Cubs.

Wright pitched well enough in his first start of the year, allowing two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings while striking out five. His control wasn't particularly good, however, as he walked two batters and hit four more. Bryse Wilson was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Steele was optioned to the Cubs' alternate training site Saturday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele joined the major-league bullpen Monday after three pitchers were placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The southpaw allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four in 3.1 innings across three relief appearances in the big leagues. He'll return to the team's alternate site after Brandon Workman and Dan Winkler were reinstated from the COVID-19 IL on Saturday, but Steele could be a candidate to serve as bullpen depth later in the season.

Gray (back) was officially activated from the 10-day injured list as expected Saturday ahead of his scheduled start against Cleveland.

Gray was diagnosed with back spasms in mid-March. He was expected to miss a couple of turns in the rotation but wasn't thought to be at risk of missing a significant portion of the season, and that's indeed what wound up happening. He isn't expected to be on a pitch count for his first start of the year.

Houser (1-2) gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday to take the loss as the Brewers fell 6-1 to the Pirates. He struck out three.

The right-hander gave up a solo shot to Colin Moran in the second inning before allowing two leadoff singles to begin the fifth, and Houser had to watch both runners come around to score after he got the hook. He threw 41 of 73 pitches for strikes, and while his 3.14 ERA through three starts is solid, it isn't backed up by his 1.53 WHIP or 10:7 K:BB through 14.1 innings. Houser will look for a better result in his next outing Wednesday in San Diego.

Brubaker (2-0) picked up the win in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Brewers, giving up one run on four hits over six innings while striking out eight.

It's the first quality start of the season for any Pittsburgh pitcher. Brubaker tossed 54 of 83 pitches for strikes in winning his second straight outing, and he'll take a 1.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings into his next start Thursday in Detroit.

Buehler did not factor in the decision against San Diego on Friday, hurling six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

Buehler gave up a run in the second and another on a Fernando Tatis homer in the fifth, but he was mostly in control and left the game with the Dodgers up by two. He wasn't able to pick up his second win of the campaign, however, as it took 12 innings for the Dodgers to finally put their rival away. Buehler registered 16 swinging strikes in the outing but struck out only four. His strikeout numbers have been down this season -- the right-hander has collected only 12 K's across 18 innings -- but he has held opponents to only four earned runs across his three starts. Buehler's next outing will come in a rematch against San Diego on Thursday.

Mikolas (shoulder) threw what manager Mike Shildt described as an aggressive bullpen earlier in the week and recovered favorably, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports. "He's in a good place and he's creeping toward live BP," Shildt said. "He's starting to throw uninhibited with some good velocity and command and using all of his pitches."

It's been a slow road to recovery for the veteran right-hander, who originally suffered his injury when first facing live hitters this spring back on Feb. 25. Mikolas' progression has been a series of fits and starts since then, but he's seemingly been without setbacks since spring training concluded and could be close to throwing a live batting practice as the next step in his recovery program.

Kim (back) is considered a "full go" for his first start of the season Saturday against the Phillies, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt reported Friday that Kim's Thursday bullpen session went very well and added he would not have put the veteran in the rotation yet if he and his staff felt the left-hander wasn't at full strength. Kim threw just under 90 pitches last Sunday in a simulated game at the alternate training site, which, when coupled with Shildt's evaluation of Thursday's throwing session, supports the notion the 32-year-old could be set for close to a normal workload versus Philadelphia.

DeSclafani allowed one run on four hits while fanning four across six innings Friday against the Marlins. He didn't factor into the decision.

DeSclafani has recorded back-to-back quality starts and has looked impressive so far, allowing one or fewer runs in each of his first three outings of the campaign while posting a 16:4 K:BB through 17 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander will try to keep rolling when he takes the mound next week at Philadelphia.

Eflin (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out six in seven-plus innings to earn the win against the Cardinals on Friday.

Eflin didn't have much trouble getting through the first seven innings Friday, but he gave up a leadoff double to Dylan Carlson in the eighth before Justin Williams ended the shutout with a home run to left field. However, the right-hander still picked up his first win of the year and has recorded a 3.15 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 20 innings. He'll attempt to remain effective at home against the Giants on Wednesday.