MLB Player News

The Mets activated Alvarez (hand) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Alvarez is starting at catcher and batting seventh Friday versus the Nationals in what will be his season debut after he missed the first four weeks of the season following surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. The catcher went 7-for-39 with one home run across 10 rehab contests.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Pressly's (knee) availability for Friday's game against the Phillies is yet to be determined, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Pressly had to have his right knee drained Tuesday. He played catch Thursday and will do so again Friday before the Cubs determine whether he's available to pitch in the series opener versus the Phillies. Porter Hodge is next in line to close for Chicago if Pressly cannot pitch, although an appearance Friday would be Hodge's third in four days, so it's possible the Cubs would prefer not to use him.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Assad has been shut down after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Assad re-injured his oblique during a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa. It's not clear how long the right-hander will remain shut down, but Counsell intimated that Assad will have to start building up from scratch once he's cleared to resume a throwing program. It's a significant setback for Assad, who will likely remain sidelined until at least June.

Suzuki (wrist) is batting third as the designated hitter Friday against the Phillies.

Suzuki was scratched from Wednesday's starting nine due to a recurrence of a wrist issue, though he's good to go following Thursday's team off day. The 30-year-old has cooled off a bit lately with a .208 batting average (5-for-24) in his past six contests, but it's been a productive start to the campaign overall with six homers, 20 RBI, 14 runs and a .276/.354/.540 slash line in 99 plate appearances.

Kershaw (toe/knee) covered three innings Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa in his second rehab start, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out four.

After tossing three scoreless frames in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 16, Kershaw moved down a level and matched that innings count, but he doubled his pitch count from 30 to 60. Since he opened the season on the 60-day injured list while recovering from left toe and left knee surgeries, Kershaw won't be eligible for activation until May 17, so he'll likely build up to around five or six innings and 80 to 90 pitches over two or three more rehab starts before making his 2025 debut.

The Padres are expected to recall Bergert from Triple-A El Paso prior to Friday's game against the Rays, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

He'll take the roster spot vacated by Kyle Hart, who was optioned to El Paso on Thursday. Bergert has been used as a starting pitcher at El Paso, holding a 5.16 ERA and 24:10 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering five starts. He'll be used in relief with the Padres and will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Glasnow (lower leg) is listed as the Dodgers' starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Pirates in Los Angeles.

Glasnow was lifted after four innings during his previous start Sunday after experiencing right lower leg cramps, but the Dodgers never expected him to miss any turns through the rotation. After getting some extra time to recover, Glasnow shouldn't face any workload restrictions when he takes the hill on six days' rest. Though he sports an elevated walk rate (13.9 percent) through his first four starts, most of Glasnow's other ratios (3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 31.9 K%) have been solid. Fantasy managers shouldn't have any qualms about making him active Sunday in a home matchup against one of baseball's weaker offenses.

Falter (back) is listed as the Pirates' scheduled starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old lefty departed after four innings in his latest start Tuesday due to back tightness, but he's apparently bounced back and will be ready to take the hill Sunday on normal rest. While Falter has delivered a strong 1.19 WHIP through his first five starts of the season, most his other ratios (5.19 ERA, 12.5 K-BB%) have painted an unflattering picture of his performance. He won't be a recommended streaming option as he takes on a stellar Dodgers offense on the road.

Kelly (leg) is listed as the Diamondbacks' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against Atlanta at Chase Field.

Kelly was lifted in the sixth inning of his latest start Sunday after experiencing right leg cramping, but the issue never appeared to be serious enough to keep him from making his next turn through the rotation. Since being torched for nine earned runs over 3.2 innings in an April 3 loss to the Yankees, Kelly has been sharp over his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 17.2 frames.

Walker (shoulder) is listed as the Phillies' scheduled starter for Friday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.

Walker developed some right shoulder stiffness Saturday against the Marlins, but the 32-year-old checked out fine following his between-starts bullpen session and will be ready to toe the rubber on five days' rest. Though he was expected to begin the season in the bullpen, Walker ended up winning a spot in the Opening Day rotation after Ranger Suarez (back) landed on the injured list. Walker has fared well through four starts, turning in a 2.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 19.2 innings.