MLB Player News

Stroman suggested Thursday in a post on his personal Twitter account that the calf injury that landed him on the 10-day injured list is a "super minor setback."

Manager Luis Rojas labeled Stroman as week-to-week Tuesday after the right-hander was revealed to have a muscle tear in his left calf, but the injury apparently hasn't prevented Stroman from working out. In his post, Stroman said he "felt great" while throwing a 55-pitch bullpen session Monday, noting that he only feels pain in his calf when he jogs and sprints. With that in mind, Stroman's progression through a running program will likely be the top determining factor in when he eventually returns from the IL. He'll likely miss at least two turns through the rotation, with Corey Oswalt looking like the top candidate to replace him at the beginning of the season.

DeSclafani was placed on the injured list Thursday with a mild right teres major strain.

This is a tough break for DeSclafani, who was on track to start the fifth game of the season for Cincinnati. Per Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer, the injury isn't thought to be anything overly serious, and the right-hander could return after missing just one start. Tyler Mahle will likely take his place in the rotation for the time being.

Kim struck out the side in the ninth inning of an exhibition victory over the Royals on Wednesday, his first chance in a save situation as the Cardinals' closer, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. "Good tempo, multiple pitches for strikes, lefties, righties," manager Mike Shildt said. "That's the reason he's in that spot. He's a veteran guy with good presence. Went out with a lot of different pitches with good movement."

The southpaw was dominant during his brief time on the mound, needing only 16 pitches -- 10 of which he threw for strikes -- to wipe out the trio of Franchy Cordero, Nick Heath and Bobby Witt. The most impressive aspect of Kim's outing may have been the repertoire he flashed, as he ran the gamut from a 70-mph curveball to a 94-mph fastball, including putting away Witt with an 84-mph slider for the game-ending strikeout.

Martinez fired four innings in an exhibition victory over the Royals on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while recording two strikeouts.

Martinez came on in relief of Miles Mikolas in what he expects to be his last appearance out of the bullpen in 2020 if all goes as planned. Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports that after the game, the newly minted rotation member expressed anticipation about his long-awaited return to starting following his stint as a closer in the latter portion of last season. "I got a lot of experience from the last two years," Martinez said. "I was a little bit frustrated because I was hurt, but that gave me good experience to be positive. And now I feel like I'm mature, the great guy to be healthy and the great guy to help the team and be focused for the whole season."

The Cubs placed Quintana (thumb) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction was merely a formality, as Quintana has yet to resume throwing off a mound since requiring surgery July 2 to address a laceration on his left thumb. Quintana is expected to throw a bullpen session next week, and from there, he'll steadily build up his arm by throwing in live batting practice and simulated games. If he avoids any snags in the ramp-up process, Quintana could be ready to make his 2020 debut around the middle of August.

May was reassigned to the Dodgers' alternate training site Wednesday.

Terrance Gore's contract was selected in a corresponding move. The roster positioning is likely designed to get Gore's speed onto the active roster in the event of an extra-inning situation in the beginning days of the season. May has been lined up to piggyback with Walker Buehler on July 28 against Houston, so it stands to reason that he'll return to the 30-man roster before that matchup.

Senzatela allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings as he earned the win in Wednesday's exhibition against the Rangers.

Showcasing his simplified delivery, Senzatela was sharp as he threw 80 pitches and didn't allow a baserunner until Danny Santana jammed a single in the fifth inning. Todd Frazier hit a three-run homer with one out in the fifth, but the right-hander was otherwise efficient. Senzatela shed 15 pounds over the offseason and will serve as the Rockies' fourth starter, putting him on track to make his season debut Tuesday in Oakland. He'll look to rebound from 2019, when he posted a 6.71 ERA and 5.5 K/9 over 25 starts with Colorado.

Greene (elbow) was added to the Reds' 60-player roster pool Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

One of the organization's top prospects, Greene wasn't included in the team's initial 60-man group, but he'll report to the alternate training site with summer camp reaching its conclusion. The 20-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery in April 2019, so the structured team workouts should be a major benefit given the cancellation of the minor-league season.

Eflin (back) is scheduled to throw a four-inning, 60-pitch simulated game Thursday, which could determine his status for the first turn through the rotation, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been battling back spasms during summer camp, but he may not miss any regular-season action if Thursday's sim game goes smoothly. If all goes well, Eflin lines up to start Tuesday against the Yankees, though he likely would have a limited workload. Nick Pivetta should be next in line to start if Eflin isn't ready, since Spencer Howard was already transferred to the team's alternate training site.

Velasquez will start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old had yet to be confirmed as a member of the Phillies' starting rotation, but he'll take the mound in the final game of the opening series. Velasquez has been up and down over the past few seasons and posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP last season, but he's performed well in summer camp and may benefit from the change in the team's pitching coach this offseason.