MLB Player News

Steele was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain Thursday and will be placed on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele suffered the injury in Thursday's season opener against the Rangers as he attempted to field a bunt. Manager Craig Counsell didn't commit to a minimum 15-day stint for Steele, but a clearer timeline should emerge after he undergoes an MRI on Friday. With Jameson Taillon (back) also sidelined, the Cubs rotation is shorthanded. Drew Smyly is a candidate to shift from a relief to starting role as a result.

The Brewers placed Miley on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left shoulder impingement.

Miley will be eligible to return from the IL on April 9 and appears to be trending toward a return at or around that date. According to MLB.com, Miley threw a three-inning simulated game at Citi Field on Wednesday without issue. The Brewers plan to have Miley either toss one more sim game or head out to a minor-league affiliate to make one or two rehab starts before he slots into the big-league rotation.

The Rangers placed Lorenzen on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right neck strain.

General manager Chris Young noted Wednesday that Lorenzen was set to open the season on the IL, but it wasn't until the Rangers made the transaction official Thursday that the team shed light on his injury. The neck strain isn't considered a concern; instead, Lorenzen likely just needs additional time to build up to a starter's workload after he didn't sign a one-year deal with the Rangers until last week. He'll likely make one or two rehab starts at Triple-A Round Rock before he returns from the IL and enters Texas' rotation.

Steele was removed from Thursday's game against the Rangers due to tightness in his left hamstring, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele was attempting to field a bunt in the fifth inning when he fell to the ground before being removed. It sounds as if he avoided serious injury, though it remains unclear if he'll be ready to take the mound for his next turn through the rotation.

The Cubs placed Taillon (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Taillon resumed facing hitters earlier this week, but after failing to pitch in the Cactus League while he recovered from a back strain, he'll need some time to build up before he's ready to make his 2024 debut. He's tentatively scheduled to face hitters again Friday before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment or pitching in simulated games at extended spring training in Arizona.

The Blue Jays placed Manoah (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Manoah is opening the season on the IL while he recovers from right shoulder inflammation, which kept him from pitching in the Grapefruit League after he made his spring debut Feb. 27. He was able to throw a two-inning, 34-pitch simulated game Wednesday, so his next step could be heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Manoah will likely require multiple starts in the minors to get fully stretched out before the Blue Jays consider activating him from the IL and including him in the rotation.

Steele exited Thursday's game against the Rangers with an apparent injury to his left hamstring, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Steele moved quickly off the mound to field a bunt and suffered the injury in the process. He pitched very well prior to his exit, allowing only three hits and one earned run to go along with a walk and six strikeouts across 4.2 innings. The extent of the issue isn't currently clear.

The Pirates optioned Priester to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Priester missed out on a spot in the Pirates' season-opening rotation, with Pittsburgh settling on veterans Martin Perez, Marco Gonzales and Bailey Falter and rookie Jared Jones to fill out its starting ranks behind Opening Day starter Mitch Keller. The 23-year-old right-hander finished the spring with a 5.87 ERA and 13:3 K:BB over 15.1 innings.

Skubal (1-0) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the White Sox. He allowed three hits, struck out six and didn't walk a batter.

Skubal left after tossing 83 pitches, and if it wasn't his first start of the season, he may have been allowed to go longer as he was dominant while in the contest. The southpaw compiled a 2.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 15 outings last year, which got off to a delayed start due to left flexor tendon surgery in August of 2022. If Skubal can stay healthy and log a full workload in 2024, he could be in line for a true breakout campaign as Detroit's ace.

Cortes didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-4 win over Houston. He struck out five.

The Astros got to Cortes early Thursday, scoring three runs in the opening inning before Jake Meyers led off the second with a solo homer. While it looked like the game could get out of hand, Cortes recovered to set down 12 of the final 13 batters he faced, ultimately winding up with a no-decision, as the Yankees scored five unanswered runs in a comeback win. New York is perhaps counting on a bounce-back campaign from Cortes after he made just 12 starts last year, going 5-2 with a 4.97 ERA. The left-hander is tentatively lined up for a road matchup with the Diamondbacks in his next outing.