MLB Player News

Ashby allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts across 2.1 innings as the Brewers' opener in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

Ashby threw a season-high 44 pitches and was tagged for both runs in the top of the first inning, as James Wood doubled to lead off the game before Curtis Mead singled him home in the next at-bat. CJ Abrams later doubled home Mead. Following Ashby's 2.1 innings, Chad Patrick threw three shutout frames, allowing three hits and one walk with no strikeouts on 50 pitches. Ashby has appeared in an MLB-high eight games already this season and owns a 3.75 ERA and 18:5 K:BB across 12 innings.

Elder did not factor into Friday's decision against the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.2 innings.

Elder kept the Guardians off the board through the first three frames before yielding a run in both the fourth and fifth. He was one out away from being in line for the decision but was pulled despite punching out Jose Ramirez in a bases-loaded situation. Even so, Elder is off to a solid start to the season with just two earned runs through three starts (17.2 innings). His next start is projected for next week at home against the Marlins.

Snell (shoulder) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Saturday will mark Snell's first time facing live hitters this year as he works his way back from left shoulder fatigue. Although his live session will represent a significant step forward in his recovery, the 33-year-old will likely require a lengthy rehab assignment and isn't expected to make his season debut until late May.

Strider (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

It's presumed to be the last step before Strider heads out on a rehab assignment. Strider suffered the strained left oblique at the end of spring training and has missed his first three turns through the rotation, but it appears a 2026 debut will happen in the near future. Martin Perez has been filling in at the back end of Atlanta's rotation while Strider has been out.

The Brewers recalled McGee from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

McGee pitched in eight games out of the bullpen for Milwaukee last season, posting a 5.52 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 14.2 innings. He'll fill a middle-relief role for the Brewers.

Ashby will serve as the opener ahead of Chad Patrick on Friday against the Nationals, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

The Nationals typically have four lefties in the top five of their lineup against right-handed pitching, so opening with a lefty before turning the ball over to Patrick makes sense. Ashby already leads the majors with seven appearances this season and has a 3-0 record, 2.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

Phillips recorded his first save of the season in Thursday's 8-1 win over the Reds, allowing two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

The right-hander collected three conventional one-inning saves over the final weeks of the 2025 season, but Phillips picked up a long-relief save Thursday to close out a rout. He's been effective to begin the current campaign, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings and four appearances, but Phillips doesn't appear to be the part of the high-leverage picture for the Marlins at the moment.

Boyd (biceps) will make a rehab start in the next week, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The left-hander was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week due to a left biceps strain, so it's a good sign he'll be ready to take the mound again so quickly. Boyd was having trouble bouncing back between starts, so the extra rest could help. He's eligible to be activated from the injured list next weekend during a home series against the Mets.

Ritchie has posted a 1.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings over three starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The 22-year-old right-hander is coming off his best outing of the year so far Tuesday, allowing just one run over seven innings against Nashville with a 7:1 K:BB. Ritchie isn't yet on the 40-man roster and may be behind Didier Fuentes in the pecking order for a promotion as a result if Atlanta needs rotation help, but he's building a string case to make his big-league debut at some point in 2026.

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Franco made his MLB debut with the Reds on March 30 and worked three games out of the bullpen, registering a 3.18 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 5.2 innings. He'll need to work on his command in the minors. In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Louisville.