MLB Player News

Nola (0-3) took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits and four walks in five innings Friday against the Cardinals. He struck out seven.

Although the veteran right-hander threw at least five innings in his third straight start and gave up a season-low two runs, he tossed just one clean inning and struggled mightily in a two-run fifth frame while allowing five batters to reach base in the inning. Through 16.1 innings this year, Nola has a shaky 5.51 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 17 punchouts. Fantasy managers should stay patient with the one-time All-Star, who'll look to get into the win column in his next scheduled start in the middle of next week at home against the Giants.

Abrams aggravated his right hip flexor while stealing second base and fielding a grounder in the third inning of Friday's game against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Abrams is set to be re-evaluated by the Nationals' medical staff Saturday, at which point we'll know more about the severity of his injury and how much time he'll miss, if any. The 24-year-old sat out Monday and Tuesday due to problems with his hip, and Washington may err on the side of caution this early in the season if the results of his tests are less than favorable.

Elder (0-1) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out four across six innings. He did not issue a walk.

Elder started out nicely by facing just one over the minimum through two innings, but he proceeded to give up five runs over the next four frames, including a two-run home run to Danny Jansen in the fourth inning and a solo shot to Christopher Morel in the sixth. Elder was inserted into Atlanta's rotation after Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list March 31. Elder has struggled in his two starts in the majors this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 10 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander could lose his spot in Atlanta's rotation and be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett if Spencer Strider (elbow) returns from the injured list next week.

Brasier (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Friday appears to be the first time Brasier has thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list at the end of March with a groin strain. The Cubs will likely look to get the 37-year-old righty a few reps against live hitters before activating him, but he could be nearing the end of his stay on the IL.

Assad (oblique) will make his first rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad has been pitching in extended spring training games since the start of the season, though Tuesday will mark the first time he's pitched at a minor-league affiliate since landing on the IL with an oblique strain. He'll likely require multiple additional rehab outings, but he shouldn't be more than a few weeks away from returning to Chicago.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Rays.

Ozuna reduced the deficit to three runs in the eighth inning when he drove a 92-mph fastball from Edwin Uceta deep for a 425-foot solo homer to left-center field. Ozuna has logged home runs in back-to-back games and has three homers in his last six games. Over that six-game span, he's gone 10-for-25 with two walks, seven runs and six RBI.

Kershaw (toe/knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw isn't eligible to return from the injured list until May 17, but the fact that he's already been cleared to begin a rehab assignment is an encouraging sign that he may be able to return around then. While the Dodgers have a great deal of rotation depth, the 37-year-old lefty still figures to have a starting role once healthy.

Winn was removed from Friday's game against the Phillies due to lower-back spasms, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn didn't log a plate appearance Friday before getting pulled at the start of the second inning. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but he can be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Steele will get a second opinion on his left elbow, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Steele has now dealt with tendinitis in his left elbow in back-to-back seasons, and Counsell said the team wants to determine if his recent problems are the result of a larger issue, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. The 29-year-old southpaw recently said he only expects to be on the injured list for the minimum 15 days, though that may change based on the results of his upcoming doctor's visit.

Abrams was pulled from Friday's game against Miami due to an apparent injury, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

It's not immediately clear what kind of injury Abrams is dealing with, though it may have something to do with the hip/thigh injury that held him out of two games earlier in the week. If the All-Star shortstop ends up needing to miss more time, Amed Rosario and Jose Tena would be candidates for additional starts in the infield.