MLB Player News

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Monday that Kirby (shoulder) "felt great" while throwing a bullpen session over the weekend, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby is set to throw two more bullpen sessions this week before beginning a game progression. While Hollander wouldn't divulge a timetable for when the right-hander will be ready for his season debut, signs are pointing to it being sometime in May. Kirby was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation back on March 7 but has made steady progress since then.

Triple-A Norfolk placed Basallo (hamstring) on its 7-day injured list Saturday.

Norfolk deactivated Basallo one day after he was removed from a game due to left hamstring discomfort. The severity of Basallo's injury isn't yet known, but the catching prospect will need at least a week off to move past the issue. Basallo had already been slowed down in spring training after suffering from elbow inflammation, which had resulted in him being limited to designated-hitter duties over his first seven games this season with Norfolk.

Robles was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a dislocated left shoulder.

Robles suffered the injury while making an outstanding catch in the bottom of the ninth inning of Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Giants. Though the 27-year-old outfielder has been given a preliminary diagnosis of a dislocation, he'll undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The Mariners recalled Dominic Canzone from Triple-A Tacoma to replace Robles on the 26-man active roster.

The Astros optioned Contreras to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Contreras earned a spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster, but across four bullpen appearances he's logged an 8.44 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 5.1 innings. He'll look to regain his form in the minors while Logan VanWey gets the call-up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Athletics transferred Basso (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

As a result of the transaction, Basso won't be eligible to make his 2025 debut with the Athletics until late May. According to MLB.com, Basso had been taking part in a throwing program by the end of spring training, but it's not yet clear if he's reached the point in his rehab where he's throwing bullpen sessions or facing hitters. Basso will eventually head out on a rehab assignment and could need most of the 30-day window to get stretched back out for a starting role. The 27-year-old lefty reached the majors for the first time last season, making seven appearances (four starts) for the Athletics while turning in a 4.03 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB in 22.1 innings.

The Athletics selected Alexander's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Alexander will provide length out of the bullpen after the Athletics leaned heavily on their relievers to cover innings during their weekend series at Coors Field. The 32-year-old previously made 18 appearances at the major-league level in 2022 with the Brewers, collecting a 5.40 ERA and 46:28 K:BB over 71.2 frames.

The Athletics optioned Estes to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Estes was pummeled for 12 runs over seven innings of work in his two starts, and it has cost him his spot in the rotation and on the roster. The Athletics have not revealed who will replace Estes in the rotation, but Mitch Spence is an obvious candidate.

The Astros transferred Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Logan VanWey, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land. Garcia's timetable is unchanged as a result of the transaction, as he will remain shut down from throwing until early May and isn't on pace to be ready to handle a starting role for the Astros until at least early June.

The Astros selected VanWey's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey, 26, had allowed two runs with a 7:2 K:BB over his first four relief innings with Sugar Land. He will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Scherzer resumed playing catch Monday but said that he's still experiencing "lingering tightness" from the cortisone shot he received in his injured right thumb, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Scherzer is working his way back from thumb inflammation, an issue that first surfaced in spring training before he suffered an aggravation March 29 in his season debut. Monday marked the first time he threw since receiving two cortisone shots in his thumb last week, but he'll need more time to recover before his next throwing session. The Blue Jays have yet to provide a definitive timeline for Scherzer's return.