MLB Player News

Gausman came on in relief in his season debut in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Dodgers, covering four innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out two.

Gausman was expected to open the season as the team's third or fourth starter, but manager Gabe Kapler made the surprising choice to deploy the right-hander as a primary pitcher behind southpaw Tyler Anderson in the Giants' second game of 2020. Since the Giants were trailing 2-1 when Gausman entered the contest in the third inning, he was spared the loss in the 58-pitch appearance. It's unclear if Gausman will be used as a traditional starter or as a primary pitcher when his turn comes up again Thursday against the Padres or Friday against the Rangers.

Cabrera hasn't been throwing at the Marlins' alternate training site over the past week due to a minor right arm injury, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Miami was already without one of its starting pitchers (Jose Urena) due to a positive COVID-19 test, and the team's pitching staff could be further depleted after a surge in additional positive tests among Marlins players and coaches in recent days resulted in the postponement of Monday's home opener versus the Orioles. Cabrera would have been one of the prime candidates to fill any potential openings in the rotation that might exist, but his own injury will leave him out of the mix for the time being. The 22-year-old right-hander is viewed as one of the top arms in the Miami farm system after he submitted a 2.23 ERA and recorded 116 strikeouts over 96.2 innings between High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville in 2019.

Lauer (COVID-19) worked 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Cubs, striking out six while permitting a base hit and a walk.

Lauer's placement on the COVID-19 injured list earlier this month took him out of the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but the southpaw was cleared to join the big club in a bullpen role Sunday. Though he entered the game with two on base and one out with the Brewers trailing 5-0, Lauer did well to limit the damage while he was on the mound. He struck out two of the three batters he faced to escape the fourth inning, then retired six of the seven batters he faced over the next two frames. Lauer's stellar showing in relief could allow him to regain consideration for the rotation the next time an opening arises, but for the time being, he'll work as a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen.

Wright is slated to start Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay.

As expected, Wright's inclusion on the pitching schedule confirms that he'll begin the season as the fifth man in the Atlanta rotation. With Cole Hamels (triceps) on the 45-day injured list, Wright should have the opportunity to stick in the rotation for the majority of the season if his performance warrants it. Jhoulys Chacin, Touki Toussaint, Josh Tomlin and Bryse Wilson wait in the wings as potential replacements in the event Wright struggles in his initial starts.

Peterson could be added to the 30-man roster in order to make a spot start or serve as a bulk reliever Tuesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets' pitching depth is already being tested, as Rick Porcello's short outing Sunday forced Corey Oswalt to throw over 70 pitches in relief and took him out of the picture for Tuesday's start. Peterson and Erasmo Ramirez -- or perhaps even both of them -- are the most likely candidates to get the call to soak up some innings, but as neither of them are currently on the 40-man roster, the club could also elect to try and piece together a pure bullpen game instead.

Brubaker made his major-league debut Sunday against St. Louis, striking out four in two scoreless innings of a 5-1 win. He allowed three hits without walking a batter.

The right-hander whiffed all four lefties he faced with swinging third strikes, courtesy of a nasty slider. That said, he posted just a 7.3 K/9 in 119 Triple-A innings in 2018. Brubaker missed nearly all of 2019 with a right forearm strain. His career 3.60 ERA in the minor leagues is promising, however, and while the peripherals don't stand out, he could move into the starting rotation before season's end.

Manager Gabe Kapler said that Cueto will start Wednesday's game against the Padres, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Since Cueto only worked four innings (63 pitches) in the Giants' Opening Day loss to the Dodgers on July 23, he would have been sufficiently rested for Tuesday's home opener. However, Kapler will give Cueto an extra day off between starts as the veteran right-hander eases into the season, allowing Jeff Samardzija to receive the starting nod Tuesday. The home opener marks a stretch of 16 games in 16 days for the Giants, so Cueto should return to a normal four-day rest schedule between starts after Wednesday's turn.

Kershaw (back) completed a 15-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Though Kershaw was scratched ahead of his scheduled Opening Day start Thursday and placed on the injured list after experiencing back stiffness, the Dodgers ace looks to be trending toward a brief shutdown period. After his MRI returned negative Friday, Kershaw got back on the mound two days later and apparently checked out fine in the workout. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw would accompany the team to Houston and throw another side session Tuesday, after which the Dodgers could pinpoint a target date for the southpaw's return from the IL. Kershaw will first be eligible for activation Friday, when the Dodgers are scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in the second game of a four-game set.

Lopez won't make his scheduled start Monday against the Orioles after the game was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Miami players and staff, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Marlins travel party remains in Philadelphia after as many as 12 players and coaches tested positive for COVID-19 during their three-game series with the Phillies over the weekend. The Orioles and Marlins were scheduled to begin a four-game home-and-home series Monday, but those contests could all be in jeopardy now.

Smyly started Sunday's game against the Dodgers and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out two batters.

Smyly did an admirable job keeping this offense at bay, but manager Gabe Kapler did not hesitate to turn to his bullpen early with extra relievers at his disposal. The win was credited to Wandy Peralta. While Smyly has been prone to the long ball in recent years, he could eventually find his way back onto the streaming radar pitching in San Francisco, once he's stretched out a bit more (64 pitches Saturday). The lefty gets the Rangers at home next weekend.