MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) is throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani threw what was described as a "light" bullpen in the outfield Thursday, and Saturday's session is slated to be "fuller," per Plunkett. The two-way star doesn't yet have a timeline to face hitters, but he's back to ramping up after slowing down his throwing progression in the early part of March as he focused on his preparations as a hitter. If Ohtani's throwing rehab doesn't experience any additional delays, he could make his first MLB pitching appearance since 2023 at some point in May.

Amaya isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres.

The Cubs seem to be content alternating between Amaya and Carson Kelly behind the plate, and Saturday will mark the latter's turn to start following an 0-for-4 outing from Amaya on Friday.

The Diamondbacks recalled Tawa from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

With Ketel Marte (hamstring) headed for the injured list, Tawa will come up from the minors to replenish Arizona's infield depth. The 25-year-old has been phenomenal since reaching Triple-A last season, slashing .317/.368/.665 with 13 homers and 39 RBI across 183 plate appearances. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain.

Marte made an early exit from Friday's contest after hurting himself running to second base on a first-inning double, and he'll now be kept on the sideline until at least April 15. Tim Tawa was recalled from Triple-A Reno to fill the open roster spot, though Garrett Hampson will likely be the one seeing more time at second base until Marte returns.

Herrera isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Boston, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

After slugging four home runs and tallying nine RBI over his last two games, Herrera will take a seat Saturday to give Pedro Pages a chance to start behind the plate.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

Smith's eight-game hitting streak was broken up by an 0-for-2 performance Friday, though he still managed to draw two walks. Austin Barnes will take his place behind home plate Saturday and bat ninth.

Young isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Young has gotten off to a poor start this year, going 1-for-15 through his first six games. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday while James Wood, Dylan Crews and Alex Call start across the outfield for Washington.

Garcia isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Arizona, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will start Saturday's game on the bump, so Garcia will stay put in the dugout while Amed Rosario starts at the keystone and bats second.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

An 0-for-4 performance Friday put an end to Ruiz's six-game hitting streak to begin the season, and he'll now get a breather against Eduardo Rodriguez and the D-backs. Riley Adams will start at catcher instead and bat ninth.

Bivens (1-1) allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out one over two innings, earning the win in Friday's 10-9 extra-innings victory over the Mariners.

Bivens entered Friday's matchup in the 10th, allowing a walk but no runs. The 30-year-old began the 11th inning by inducing a groundout, but he gave up a line-drive single to center field and subsequently walked the next batter, loading the bases with one out, and the Mariners took a 9-8 lead after Bivens allowed the automatic runner to score on a wild pitch. The right-handed reliever picked up the win after Willy Adames' two-run, walk-off single that sealed the game in the 11th. Bivens has made three appearances this season, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings.