MLB Player News

Javier allowed four hits and a walk over six shutout innings during Friday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees. He struck out six and didn't factor in the decision.

The Yankees only managed to put two runners in scoring position against Javier and he had no trouble working through that traffic. The 27-year-old threw 56 of 90 pitches for strikes, though he only forced eight whiffs. Still, it was an impressive outing against a strong Yankees lineup after Javier posted a 4.56 ERA across 162 innings in 2023. He's currently lined up to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Wheeler came away with a no-decision Friday, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings in a 9-3 loss to Atlanta. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander had an impressive beginning to his campaign against a very tough opponent, but the Phillies' bullpen let him down after Wheeler left the mound with a 2-0 lead. He tossed 63 of 89 pitches for strikes and generated 18 swinging strikes, and after fanning 212 batters last year -- the second time in his career he's struck out 200 or more -- Wheeler seems poised to rack up an impressive whiff total again in 2024.

Strider came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-3 win over the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander fired 59 of 90 pitches for strikes and generated 18 swinging strikes in a typically dominant performance, but Atlanta didn't take the lead until the eighth inning. Strider led all pitchers with 35 strikeouts this spring in 22.2 innings, and he didn't slow down in his first regular-season start. After racking up a league-high 281 Ks last year in 186.2 innings, Strider will take aim at 300 in 2024.

Gray (hamstring) will pitch for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gray continues to ramp up his activity since being placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday. He participated in a simulated game at the Cardinals' spring training complex Friday alongside Lars Nootbaar (ribs), and Gray is good to go for another minor-league rehab game. A strong showing for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday would give Gray a good chance to return to the majors when first eligible or shortly thereafter.

Cantillo will be out 8-to-10 weeks due to a left hamstring strain he sustained at the end of spring training, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cantillo gave up four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over seven innings in spring training, and the Guardians optioned the left-hander to Triple-A Columbus on March 12. The hamstring strain occurred at the end of spring training, and will result in Cantillo missing at least the first two months of the minor-league season.

Cobb (hip) threw five innings in a minor-league game Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's unclear how many starts the Giants want Cobb to make while he's on a rehab assignment, but the fact he's already built up to five innings suggests he may be able to make his regular-season debut sooner than initially thought. The 36-year-old righty will be eligible to come off the injured list April 9.

Buehler (elbow) will start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Buehler pitched four innings during a simulated game to conclude spring training, and the expectation is that he'll throw another four-to-five frames in his first rehab start. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that the right-hander will likely make four rehab starts in the minors. Assuming he receives the usual rest period between each start, that would put him on pace to return to the Dodgers on April 20.

The Giants recalled Teng from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The move corresponds with Luke Jackson (back) being placed on the Giants' 15-day IL. Teng started 2023 in Double-A Richmond, and he managed to work his way up to Triple-A Sacramento by June. With Sacramento, he posted a 4.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 96:48 K:BB over 79 innings while going 6-5 over 16 starts. Teng will fill Jackson's spot in the bullpen.

The Diamondbacks announced Montgomery's one-year, $25 million contract Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.

The left-hander's deal also includes a vesting option for 2025 that's worth up to $25 million, depending on how many starts he makes this season. After being without a team for all of spring training, Montgomery will build up at Triple-A before making his Diamondbacks debut, which he said will likely come around April 19, per Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com.

The Yankees acquired Brubaker (elbow) and international signing bonus money from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later.

Brubaker is in the midst of recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he could be an option for the Yankees' staff around the All-Star break. The right-hander is also under team control for next season. Brubaker holds a career 4.99 ERA over 315.2 innings at the major-league level, but he's been above average in terms of strikeout rate (23.3 percent) and walk rate (7.9 percent).