MLB Player News

An MRI on Cobb's right shoulder came back negative Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb was pulled off his throwing progression a few days ago after experiencing soreness in his shoulder, but he doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage. The 36-year-old veteran was moved to the 60-day injured list last Saturday as he continues to work his way back from an offseason hip procedure, and he's also battled elbow problems during his rehab process. He will be eligible to return beginning May 27, though it's unclear whether or not he will be ready to go by then.

Glasnow was removed from his start Saturday against the Blue Jays due to cramping in his right hand, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Glasnow didn't appear to be in significant pain when he was removed during the seventh inning of Saturday's contest, so his removal was likely precautionary. The Dodgers will monitor his situation, but it doesn't seem like the 30-year-old righty is at risk of missing his next start. Glasnow picked up his fifth win of the season Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over six-plus innings while striking out nine.

Pivetta (elbow) is pencilled in to make a rehab start Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He threw 50 pitches in a live batting practice session Saturday, so Pivetta may only need one rehab outing before rejoining the big-league rotation. If he does return after Thursday's rehab start, Pivetta would line up to start in the two-game series in Atlanta on either May 8 or May 9.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Steele (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Counsell didn't say how many starts the Cubs want Steele to make in the minors, but the 28-year-old southpaw is likely in for multiple rehab outings after sitting out roughly a month due to a strained left hamstring. Assuming his assignment goes smoothly, Steele will likely return to Chicago's rotation toward the middle of May.

The Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.

Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Bradish (elbow) is poised to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week and will reclaim a spot in the Baltimore rotation, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish's return can't come soon enough for an Orioles rotation that remains without John Means (forearm) and Tyler Wells (elbow). The right-hander made three rehab starts while recovering from a right UCL sprain that cropped up early in the spring and forced him to the IL to begin the season. His his most recent rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Norfolk was Bradish's sharpest yet, as he struck out six while allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings on 77 pitches (49 strikes). Since Bradish had been pitching every fifth day during his rehab assignment, he could slot into the Baltimore rotation as soon as Wednesday, but the Orioles are more likely to give him an extra day to recover and have him take the hill for Thursday's series finale with the Yankees at Camden Yards.

After throwing a 50-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Pivetta (elbow) noted that he was able to throw all his pitches and was happy with his outing, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta continues to make progress in his rehab from a right elbow flexor strain that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 9. Before landing on the IL, Pivetta went 1-1 over two starts, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out 13 over 11 frames.

Sale (3-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over seven innings in a 6-2 victory over the Guardians. He struck out six.

The veteran lefty has been healthy and dominant to kick off 2024, and he completely shut down the Cleveland offense after serving up a leadoff homer to Steven Kwan. Sale has worked seven-plus innings in three straight starts for the first time since June 2018, and he's allowed three runs or less in four of his five outings so far for Atlanta. Sale will take a 3.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Seattle.

Allen (3-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Guardians were downed 6-2 by Atlanta. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old southpaw was able to keep the ball in the park after serving up four homers across his last two starts, but there weren't many other positive takeaways from this performance. Allen tossed only 48 of 91 pitches for strikes, and he's been tagged for at least three runs in five of his six outings to begin the season. He'll carry a 5.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB through 31.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Houston.

Maldonado came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Nationals, allowing three hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville earlier in the day for his big-league debut, Maldonado was expected to work only as an opener while Kyle Tyler handled bulk relief duties. Instead, Maldonado gave Miami an efficient 36 pitches (23 strikes) and left the mound with his team ahead 1-0. The 26-year-old righty has been deployed almost exclusively as a reliever in the minors -- his two other starts as a professional came back in 2021 at Rookie ball -- but this performance might encourage the Marlins to give him another turn in the rotation and try stretching him out a bit more considering their lack of healthy alternatives.