MLB Player News

Strider (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider, who is coming back from an internal brace procedure, made two Grapefruit League starts, throwing a total of four innings and getting his pitch count up to 45 in the second outing. It's uncertain how many rehab starts he will be asked to make before joining the Atlanta rotation, but it's likely to be at least a couple. The ace right-hander appears to be on track for a mid-April return.

Bibee (illness) will start Sunday against the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Bibee had to be scratched from his Opening Day start after coming down with food poisoning, so he will now take the ball for his season debut Sunday. Luis L. Ortiz was in line to start Sunday but has been pushed back to Monday versus the Padres, setting him up for a two-start week.

The Padres placed Waldron (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Waldron has yet to resume a throwing program since suffering a left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen March 14. He'll require more than the minimum 15 days to heal from the injury, and with Yu Darvish (elbow) joining him on the shelf to begin the season, the Padres will have room in the rotation for both Kyle Hart and Randy Vasquez, who had been competing with Waldron for the No. 5 starter role.

The Padres placed Brito (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right forearm strain.

Brito didn't make any appearances after Aug. 10 last season due to an elbow strain, and though he was cleared prior to spring training, he was shut down after experiencing diminished velocity and renewed soreness during a Cactus League appearance March 4. The Padres will wait and see how Brito responds to a period of rest and rehab, but given the recurring nature of his elbow/forearm issues, surgery could be in the forecast for the right-hander.

The Padres placed Darvish (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Darvish was shut down from throwing in the middle of spring training due to right elbow inflammation, but he seems to be making some progress, as he was spotted playing catch Tuesday. Even so, Darvish will likely require a lengthy buildup and may not be ready to return from the IL during the first month of the season.

Holmes struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Thursday's loss to the Padres.

The 29-year-old right-hander won a spot in Atlanta's initial rotation, but with his first start not expected to come until Monday, Holmes was available to come out of the bullpen for the final frame of a 7-4 loss. The usage could be an early signal that he's more likely than AJ Smith-Shawver to shift to a relief role once Spencer Strider (elbow) is ready to make his 2025 debut, but the performance of Holmes and Smith-Shawver as starters over the next few weeks will ultimately be the biggest factor in that decision.

The Mets officially placed Blackburn (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Blackburn opened the season on the shelf after experiencing right knee inflammation coming out of his final spring training appearance. He received an injection to alleviate the discomfort and is currently in the midst of a 7-to-10-day no-throw period. He's not expected to require much time to ramp up once the pain in his knee subsides, potentially putting Blackburn in line for a mid-to-late April return from the IL.

Gilbert didn't factor in the decision Thursday against the Athletics after striking out eight and giving up one run on two hits and no walks over seven innings.

The right-hander kept the A's off the board aside from a solo homer by Tyler Soderstrom in the fifth inning, as Gilbert and Luis Severino engaged in a pitcher's duel before the two bullpens combined to allow five runs across the seventh and eighth innings. Gilbert consistently worked ahead in the count and threw a first-pitch strike to 22 of the 23 batters he faced. He's established himself as one of the most reliable starters in MLB and could contend for the AL Cy Young Award in 2025, especially if he can improve even slightly on his 3.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 220:37 K:BB across 208.2 innings from last year.

Severino didn't factor in the decision Thursday against Seattle after striking out six and allowing three hits and four walks over six scoreless innings.

The right-hander was a bit wild at times with four free passes and a hit-by-pitch, but he kept the Mariners off the board by scattering the baserunners and not giving up any extra-base hits. Severino missed out on the victory when the A's bullpen was unable to maintain a 1-0 lead, but it was still a strong debut with the team after inking a two-year, $45 million contract in December. He lines up to pitch against the Cubs next week.

Gallen (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs after giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Gallen finished spring training with a 2.89 ERA and 10:5 K:BB in 9.1 Cactus League innings, and his command was shaky again Thursday as he threw just 43 of 83 pitches for strikes. The right-hander will need to get on track quickly, as he's set for a matchup with the Yankees in his second start of the season next week.