MLB Player News

Cueto did not factor into the decision during Thursday's Opening Day loss at Dodger Stadium, scattering one run on five hits and a walk while striking out three across four innings.

Cueto came out strong, retiring the side in the first inning. With two outs in the fourth, the right-hander gave up a double to Corey Seager and put the Dodgers on the board by allowing an RBI single to Enrique Hernandez. A single by Joc Pederson put runners at the corners but Cueto found his way out of the jam by forcing a groundout to Austin Barnes. After sitting out most of last year following Tommy John surgery, Cueto made four late season starts in September, during which he put together a 5.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB across 16 frames.

May took a no-decision during Thursday's Opening Day win over the Giants, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

May was recalled to make the Opening Day start for the Dodgers on Thursday following Clayton Kershaw's move to the injured list (back). The 22-year-old, who became the first Dodgers rookie to start on Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela (1981), held the Giants at bay until the third inning. After surrendering three consecutive singles to Tyler Heineman, Mike Yastrzemski and Wilmer Flores, May handed San Francisco the first lead of the game on a sacrifice fly to Pablo Sandoval. That would be the only damage of the night for the right-hander, who should maintain his spot in the rotation during Kershaw's absence. Across 14 games last season, May posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB across 34.2 innings.

Gore is not part of the Padres' 30-man roster.

In spite of Gore's exceptional talent, his exclusion from the active roster is not a surprise given that he has yet to pitch above the Double-A level. Still, the Padres may not want their prized southpaw to spend the entire season at their alternate training site, so it remains very possible that Gore joins the big-league club sooner rather than later.

Rea was assigned to the Cubs' alternate training site in South Bend Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rea was in the mix to begin the year as the team's fifth starter with Jose Quintana (thumb) out, but with Alec Mills securing that role, Rea was kept off the Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old last appeared in the majors in 2016, when he logged 20 total games (19 starts) with the Marlins and Padres.

May was recalled from the Dodgers' alternate training site and will start Thursday's game against the Giants, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Thanks to an injury to Clayton Kershaw (back), May will become the first rookie since Fernando Valenzuela to start on Opening Day for the Dodgers. The young right-hander held his own in a 14-game stint with the big club last season, finishing with a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB in 34.2 innings. May figures to remain in the rotation for as long as Kershaw remains sidelined.

Kershaw was placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw was slated to start in the Dodgers' Opening Day matchup against the Giants on Thursday, but he'll instead miss at least 10 days as a result of back stiffness that flared up Tuesday. Dustin May was recalled in a corresponding move and will serve as the Opening Day starter in Kershaw's place. The exact severity of Kershaw's injury is unclear, and no timetable has been established for his return.

Mahle will most likely replace Anthony DeSclafani (teres major strain) in the Reds' rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

DeSclafani insists that he will only miss one start, but there is now an opening in the rotation for Mahle to begin the season. He lines up for a home start against the Cubs on Tuesday. If DeSclafani ends up needing more time, Mahle would get a second start next week at Detroit with the Reds playing seven games.

Hamels (triceps) was placed on the 45-day injured list Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Not much has gone right for Hamels since he signed with the Braves; he dealt with a shoulder issue early in camp before landing on the IL last week with triceps tendinitis. Following this most recent move, the southpaw will be sidelined until at least the beginning of September. Kyle Wright and Josh Tomlin are candidates to fill in for Hamels in the rotation.

Eflin (back) pitched well in his simulated game Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Eflin threw four innings and 60 pitches in his simulated game, and manager Joe Girardi said he threw the ball well. If the right-hander feels good Friday, he's expected to start Tuesday at the Yankees. Eflin battled back spasms that limited his workload during camp but appears to be tracking toward his return. If he wouldn't be ready for his first turn through the rotation, Nick Pivetta could start in his place.

The Pirates recalled Brubaker on Thursday.

Brubaker is one of 11 relievers included on the PIrates' 30-man Opening Day roster. The right-hander has worked exclusively as a starter during his past two seasons in the minors, so he'll likely function as a long man or multi-inning arm out of the bullpen in his first taste of the big leagues.