MLB Player News

Schwellenbach (elbow) covered 1.2 no-hit scoreless innings for Single-A Augusta in his season debut Thursday, striking out one while working around two walks.

Schwellenbach threw 26 of his 42 pitches for strikes in the appearance, the first of his professional career after he was selected by Atlanta in the second round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft. He didn't pitch in either of the 2021 and 2022 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted, but he reported to spring training at full health and received the green light to bypass the rookie-ball level entirely.

Rojas went 0-for-3 with a walk in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Rojas returned from a multi-game absence due to a groin injury and appeared to have no issues at the plate or in the field. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated before Rojas' return that the veteran infielder will likely be held out of the lineup Monday for precautionary reasons. Rojas has struggled to get going with the bat thus far, slashing .118/.211/.176 through 19 plate appearances.

The Pirates announced that Cruz is expected to miss four months after undergoing surgery Sunday to repair a fractured left fibula and damaged syndesmosis.

Earlier Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reported that Cruz was expected to be out 10-to-12 weeks following surgery to repair a fractured ankle, but the Pirates are not only classifying the shortstop's injury differently but also extending his recovery timeline. Cruz suffered the injury in the sixth inning of Sunday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, when he collided with catcher Seby Zavala at home plate. Rodolfo Castro is expected to receive the first opportunity to fill in for Cruz at shortstop.

Berti went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Mets.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting ninth, Berti swiped his first bag of the year after a one-out single in the fifth inning. Last year's steals king has had a slow start to 2023 in that category, but with consistent playing time ahead of him while Joey Wendle (ribs) is sidelined, Berti could rack up a lot of stolen bases very quickly.

Arcia went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Padres.

The shortstop was the only Atlanta player to cross the plate in a 10-2 defeat. Arcia's had an outstanding start to the season, batting .316 (12-for-38) through 10 games with two homers, four RBI and nine runs despite hitting at the bottom of the order.

Double-A Richmond placed Luciano (back) on its 7-day injured list Thursday.

He suffered a stress fracture in his lower back playing in the Dominican Winter League, and while he was able to field grounders and take batting practice this spring, Luciano isn't ready for game action. According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Luciano is being held back in extended spring training while he finishes his recovery.

Cruz underwent surgery Sunday after suffering a fractured left ankle in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the White Sox and is expected to be sidelined for 10-to-12 weeks, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The Pirates haven't confirmed the timeline provided by Gorman, but the fact that Cruz required surgery to address the injury rather than going the rest-and-rehab route for treatment suggests he won't be on track to meet the short end of a timetable to return from a fractured ankle, which can be as few as six weeks. Expect Pittsburgh to place Cruz on the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Astros, though he may not go on the 60-day IL until the Pirates need to open up another spot on the 40-man roster. Rodolfo Castro and Ji Hwan Bae are likely to get the first chance to serve as the Pirates' everyday middle infielders while Cruz is on the shelf, though Tucupita Marcano and/or Chris Owings could be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and potentially make a push for playing time.

Perdomo started at second base and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 11-6 win over the Dodgers.

Perdomo made his first start at second base, giving Ketel Marte his first day off while slotting in at second in the order, the highest the former has hit this season. This was Perdomo's third multi-hit game in six starts. The second-year shortstop is 7-for-16 (.438) with four extra-base hits, eight RBI and four walks through seven overall appearances.

Ahmed went 2-for-5 with two RBI, a run and two stolen bases during Sunday's 11-6 win against the Dodgers.

Ahmed has never posted more than eight steals in any season during his big-league career, but he's already up to three thefts in just six games this year. The 33-year-old is splitting time at shortstop with Geraldo Perdomo, who is off to a hot start in 2023 with a 1.384 OPS.

Adames went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a two-run double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-1 victory over St. Louis.

Adames was responsible for the Brewers' first three runs, hitting a two-run double in the third and a solo blast in the fifth. After getting five hits through his first six contests, the shortstop ends the three-game series against the Cardinals with six hits, two homers and four RBI.