MLB Player News

Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Gallen (shoulder) was feeling better, and the club is "encouraged" the right-hander will make his next turn through the rotation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen was removed from his start against the Padres on Saturday after being hit by a comebacker on his throwing shoulder, ending his day after three scoreless frames. The 30-year-old was diagnosed with a contusion, and it appears he'll be able to take the mound for his next turn through the rotation this weekend against the Cubs. Gallen's status should receive more clarity in the next day or two, which is when he would typically throw his between-starts bullpen session.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that Jones (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Single-A Bradenton, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old has been throwing to live batters for a while and has now been cleared to pitch in games for the first time since undergoing an internal brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last May. Jones' rehab assignment will be a lengthy one, and since he won't be eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list until late May, the Pirates aren't in a major rush to build up his pitch count.

Phillips blew the save in Monday's 5-4 loss against the Dodgers. He allowed two inherited runners to score on a hit and no walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

With Pete Fairbanks (thumb) departing early, Phillips was thrust into a difficult spot with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning while protecting one-run lead. He struck out Will Smith, but he then allowed a two-run walk-off single to Kyle Tucker. Though Phillips was charged with a blown save, the brief outing didn't significantly impact his numbers, as the 28-year-old owns a 1.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with a 19:12 K:BB across 17.1 innings in 2026.

Yamamoto did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Marlins. He struck out four.

Yamamoto wasn't at his best, issuing a season-high four walks and allowing three earned runs for the second straight start, highlighted by a three-run homer from Liam Hicks in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old hurler has a lackluster 7.7 K/9 and a middling 2-2 record, though those figures are accompanied by a 2.87 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 37.2 innings (six starts). Yamamoto's next start is projected to come next week against the Astros.

Paddack did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. He struck out one.

Paddack limited the damage after allowing two runs in the first inning but recorded just one strikeout and was pulled after four innings and 67 pitches. The right-hander has struggled in his first season with the Marlins, posting an 0-4 record with a 6.11 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 28 innings (six appearances). His 26:7 K:BB is solid, but the results haven't followed, and Paddack will look to earn his first win of the campaign in his next start, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Phillies.

Boyd did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings against the Padres. He struck out four.

Boyd struggled from the outset, as a leadoff walk to Ramon Laureano spiraled into a three-run first inning, though the damage could have been worse with two runners left in scoring position. It has been a rocky start to 2026 for Boyd, who dealt with a left biceps strain earlier in April and has been largely ineffective when on the mound, posting a 1-1 record with a 7.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 18 innings (four starts). The southpaw is tentatively scheduled to start Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Dotel took a no-decision Monday against the Cardinals, throwing four clean innings of relief. He struck out three.

The absence of Braxton Garrett (personal) forced the Pirates into a bullpen game Monday, and Dotel filled in admirably as a bulk reliever. The right-hander flooded the zone for 32 strikes among his 44 pitches, picking up his first hold of the year in the process. Through 6.1 frames in 2026, Dotel sports a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB.

May took a no-decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out two.

Just one of the hits allowed went for extra bases, as May continued to put his awful start to the season in the rear-view mirror. Although the right-hander gave up 13 runs over his first 7.1 frames, he's pitched at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts en route to producing a 1.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB during that stretch. May still has a 5.28 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 30.2 frames for the season, and a tall task against the Dodgers awaits him in his next scheduled outing.

The Cubs optioned Barnes to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Barnes was called up for the second time of the season Sunday, but he did not pitch in the Cubs' 6-0 loss to the Dodgers. The Cubs reinstated Phil Maton (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday, and the big club will send Barnes back to Triple-A, where he has appeared in five games (two starts) with a 3-0 record and a 3.24 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 16.2 innings.

Henriquez walked two batters and struck out one in a scoreless relief inning versus the Cubs on Sunday.

After Justin Wrobleski gave the Dodgers six scoreless frames, Henriquez took the mound in the seventh. The right-hander threw only 11 of his 24 pitches for strikes and issued a pair of free passes, but he managed to escape the inning without being scored upon. Henriquez has flashed big-time heat again this season, as his fastball velocity is averaging 100.5 mph. That hasn't yet led to massive strikeout numbers -- he has a 9:5 K:BB through 8.1 frames spanning nine outings -- but Henriquez does seem to have established a low-leverage role in the Dodgers bullpen. He doesn't have a hold or a save on his ledger, but over his past six appearances he's yielded only one earned run across 5.1 innings.