MLB Player News

Mets manager Buck Showalter announced after Saturday's game that Butto will get the start Sunday against the Athletics in place of Max Scherzer (side/back), Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Scherzer's start is being moved back three days because of lingering soreness in his back and side, so it'll be Butto on the bump. Butto made two starts with Triple-A Syracuse before being promoted Saturday morning, and should be fully stretched out while getting a chance to face one of the weaker MLB lineups Sunday.

Kikuchi (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over six innings in a 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay. He struck out nine.

The only run Kikuchi allowed was a solo blast by Taylor Walls in the fourth inning. Outside of that, the left-hander was outstanding while throwing 67 of 94 pitches for strikes. The left-hander has now allowed no more than a run in two of his three starts this year with a six-run struggle against the Angels last Sunday sandwiched between. Kikuchi has shown almost no consistency throughout his career, but he'll look to build on this start with his next outing lined up for the weekend series against the Yankees.

Milone was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Milone was called up to make a spot start against the Rockies on Saturday after Marco Gonzales was placed on the paternity list, and he pitched well while allowing one run over 4.2 innings of work. With Gonzales expected back next week and a full Seattle rotation, there's no room for Milone on the roster. if he goes unclaimed, he will likely report back to Triple-A Tacoma.

Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.

Walks were a problem for Matz on Saturday, and his free pass to Conner Joe with the bases loaded tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. He also allowed a long home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes -- estimated at 440 feet -- in the first, but that was it in terms of runs. Even with the control issues, this was the best start of the season for the southpaw, as he came into the game with a 8.18 ERA and allowed at least four runs in both of his previous outings. He'll get a chance to build on this effort next week, as he's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Seattle.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

There was plenty of traffic and self-inflicted damage for Contreras in the no-decision, but the right-hander was able to keep the Cardinals at bay after giving up two runs in the first inning. He's pitched effectively in two of his three outings thus far in 2023 with the one exception being a seven-run struggle against the Astros in his previous start. It's true for many pitchers in the early stages, but Contreras has pitched better than his 6.00 ERA over 15 innings suggests.

Verlander (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday in Florida, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It was his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a low-grade teres major muscle strain just before Opening Day. Verlander will do another bullpen workout early next week before then advancing to live batting practice. At least one minor-league rehab start would follow. There's no exact timetable, but the veteran right-hander appears on track to make his Mets debut around late April or early May.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday that Woodruff has been diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his right shoulder, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The good news is that the injury will not require surgery, but the bad news is that Woodruff is going to miss more than just 15 days. He was placed on the injured list Tuesday with what was originally labeled as right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff will be shut down from throwing for a stretch and there is no estimated timetable for his return to the Milwaukee rotation. He's scheduled to visit with a specialist early next week.

Butto was recalled Saturday from Triple-A Syracuse.

Butto could draw a start at some point during the Mets' current West Coast road trip, which began Friday and runs through next Sunday. He has registered a 1.86 ERA and 8:5 K:BB through 9.2 innings (two starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

Rodon (forearm) will throw a two-inning bullpen session Sunday or Monday and could then progress to facing live hitters, per the Associated Press.

Rodon threw a bullpen session at the Yankees' complex in Tampa on Wednesday and came away feeling fine, according to manager Aaron Boone, though the southpaw's session was at "less intensity" due to an earlier bout of back stiffness, per MLB.com. Boone noted that the team's initial indication that Rodon could return in late April was "a little aggressive," but the hurler's recent progress suggests that he could be on track for activation in the first half of May.

Musgrove (toe/shoulder) will make another rehab start Sunday with Single-A Lake Elsinore, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

As long as there are no setbacks during that outing, Musgrove should be cleared to join the Padres' rotation late next week. He threw 4.1 innings in his rehab debut last week with Triple-A El Paso but needed a cortisone shot in his right shoulder after falling hard on a fielding play. The 30-year-old right-hander tossed a full-intensity bullpen session Friday without issue and is now finally nearing the end of his recovery from a February toe fracture.