MLB Player News

Darvish (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session in San Francisco on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

After experiencing tightness following his minor-league rehab start with Double-A San Antonio on May 14, Darvish was shut down for a couple weeks before he resumed playing catch. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Darvish stepped back on a mound Saturday and threw about six or seven pitches at less-than-full intensity, and with that brief workout apparently going well, he'll take the next step forward in his progression by throwing a formal bullpen session. The Padres haven't mapped out a plan for Darvish beyond Tuesday, and though he remains without a clear timeline to make his season debut, the team maintains that he won't require an extended ramp-up period. Cassavell suggests that Darvish may need just one or two rehab starts before rejoining the big-league rotation, perhaps at some point in mid-to-late June.

Elder (2-3) took the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Elder got off to a rocky start Sunday, giving up a three-run, two-out triple to Trevor Story in the first inning. While the right-hander managed to limit the damage from there, Atlanta couldn't climb out of the early hole in an eventual 3-1 defeat. Elder pitched well in his first stint in the majors earlier this season, posting a quality start in four of his last five outings before returning to Triple-A. With AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) slated for season-ending surgery, Elder figures to remain in Atlanta's rotation moving forward. His ERA sits at 4.56 with a 1.30 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB across nine starts (49.1 innings) this year.

Fedde (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Fedde pitched well Sunday, delivering his first quality start in his last four outings. However, the Cardinals failed to provide much run support against Jacob deGrom on the other end in an eventual 8-1 defeat, leaving Fedde with his second straight loss. The 32-year-old right-hander sports a 3.82 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 44 strikeouts through 12 starts (68.1 innings) this season. Fedde is currently lined up for a tough home matchup with the Dodgers in his next outing.

Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.

Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.

The Brewers activated Quintana (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

The veteran left-hander is rejoining Milwaukee's rotation Sunday after missing the past three weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Quintana threw 71 pitches across four innings during his lone rehab outing, so he could face some minor workload limitations in his first start back with the Brewers.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is likely to return to the rotation this week, Nick Piecoro and Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic report.

The Diamondbacks haven't announced plans for the left-hander, but Rodriguez threw 4.2 innings during a rehab start Friday in the Arizona Complex League. After Ryne Nelson was needed for four relief innings Saturday, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the righty would be returned to the bullpen instead of making a scheduled start Tuesday, per Arizona Sports. Rodriguez could be set to return Friday in Cincinnati, as Arizona has already mapped out its pitching plans for a three-game set in Atlanta to begin the week, per Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona.

Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The right-hander will fill the rotation spot vacated by AJ Smith-Shawver, who will miss the rest of the season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow. Elder has been serviceable in his eight starts for Atlanta this season with a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB across 44 innings, and he should get an extended look in the rotation.

Pfaadt (7-4) failed to record an out while taking the loss Saturday versus the Nationals, allowing eight runs on six hits and two hit batsmen.

Four of the six hits were doubles, which allowed the Nationals to keep the line moving during Pfaadt's brief outing. Scott McGough was unable to stop the bleeding immediately, and the Diamondbacks were down 10-0 before sending a batter to the plate themselves. The silver lining here is that it's tough for Pfaadt to ever have a worse appearance in his career. His ERA jumped from 3.90 to 5.05, and he's added a 1.32 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB across 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in Cincinnati.

Soroka (2-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.1 innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

The Nationals put up 10 runs before Soroka threw a pitch, so he was able to work without much pressure. It wasn't all that effective of an outing, but he did enough to take care of business and earn his second win in the last three starts. This was the third start in a row in which he's pitched into the sixth inning. Soroka has a 5.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB over 31 innings through six starts this season.