MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Friday, though a Grade 2 strain likely means a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The 21-year-old righty was called up Thursday to make a spot start against the Cubs, and Atlanta's pitching needs will likely dictate whether he remains in Atlanta or heads to Triple-A Gwinnett once he returns from the IL -- likely sometime in July.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Means will get a second opinion on his throwing elbow, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Means threw just three innings in his start Wednesday against the Cardinals, and he did not return to the mound following a rain delay. He landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a left forearm strain, which was the same injury that caused him to start the season on the IL. Seeing that Means is getting a second opinion on the injury, the 31-year-old southpaw could be on the IL beyond the 15-day minimum.

Gray (elbow) will throw a two-inning live batting practice Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gray continues to recover from a flexor strain in his right elbow that has kept him out of action since April 4. His session Saturday is the next step in his throwing program, and if all goes well, the Nationals could look to send the 26-year-old right-hander on a rehab assignment.

Ray (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray began throwing bullpen sessions during spring training, but Saturday will mark the first time he has faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. The 32-year-old southpaw still isn't expected to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He will throw a few additional rounds of live BP before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, at which point a firmer return date could become clear.

Wicks (forearm) is making a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wicks started throwing off a mound a week ago and has made it through several bullpen sessions without a setback. He may need to make one or two additional starts at Iowa before rejoining the Cubs. Wicks owns a 4.70 ERA across five starts this season with Chicago.

Freeland (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Freeland was placed on the 15-day injured list back in the middle of April, but despite throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, he has been shifted to the 60-day IL. He'll be eligible for activation in mid-June.

Senga (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for three-to-five days after he received a cortisone shot Friday for inflammation in his triceps, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old was scratched from a bullpen session last weekend due to triceps tightness, and he underwent an MRI this week that revealed the inflammation. Senga appeared to be close to beginning a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a shoulder capsule strain, but the triceps issue has halted his progress and further clouds his return timeline.

Abbott's next start will come Tuesday against St. Louis, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott was initially scheduled to start Sunday against the Dodgers, but he'll instead get a full week off between starts after tossing seven innings in back-to-back appearances. He'll also trade in a tough matchup with the Dodgers for a significantly easier opponent in the Cardinals. The 25-year-old has a 3-4 record on the season but boasts a 2.68 ERA across 57 innings.

The Orioles placed Kremer on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 21, with a right triceps strain.

The right-hander was scheduled to start Saturday against the White Sox but will now be unavailable for at least the next couple weeks. It's yet another blow to Baltimore's rotation, which also lost John Means to a forearm strain earlier this week. Kremer will be eligible to return in early June, though it's unclear when he's expected to be healthy.

Olson (hip) is listed as the Tigers' probable starter for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 24-year-old exited his start Monday against the Royals with a bruised hip after being struck by a comebacker, but he's ready for his next turn through the rotation. Olson has enjoyed a nice start to the campaign with a 2.16 ERA over 50 innings, but he's been particularly effective across his past five starts with just three earned runs allowed.