MLB Player News

Snell (thigh) will throw around 50 pitches Saturday during a bullpen session, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Bob Melvin said if all goes well, the team will make a decision on whether Snell will have a rehab assignment or face hitters in live batting practice next. It was already anticipated that Snell would need more than the minimum 15 days on the injured list with his Grade 2 adductor strain, so a mid-May return is still the best-case scenario.

The Mets are moving Houser to the bullpen for their upcoming road series, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Houser last started Thursday against the Cubs, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two over five innings in a no-decision. He's registering an 8.16 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 16:20 K:BB over 28.2 innings this season and holds an 0-3 record over six starts. With top pitching prospect Christian Scott making his major-league debut Saturday against the Rays and Tylor Megill (shoulder) inching closer to a return, Houser will shift over to the bullpen, at least temporarily. Following New York's road series against St. Louis, the Mets will determine whether Houser's move will be permanent.

Cobb (hip) has been cleared to begin a throwing program, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb had to halt his throwing program last week after experiencing soreness in his pitching shoulder, but tests came back clean and he'll now try to ramp things back up following a brief shutdown period. The right-hander will be eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list in late May, but it's too soon to know whether he might have a shot to be ready at that time.

Beck (arm) has been cleared to begin a throwing program, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Beck had surgery back in early March to address an aneurysm in his upper right arm. He is facing a slow build-up, with a return not expected until after the All-Star break.

Wiemer was removed from Friday's game versus the Cubs with an apparent left knee injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Wiemer's knee buckled on him as he was retrieving Nico Hoerner's single down the left field line in the bottom of the eighth inning. After a brief conversation with the trainer, Wiemer walked off the field gingerly. Until the Brewers clarify his status, he should be considered day-to-day.

Thomas (knee) has been cleared to take dry swings, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's been a little over a week since Thomas was diagnosed with an MCL sprain of his left knee, and he's now easing back into baseball activities. There is no timeline for the outfielder's return, but he's almost surely several weeks away.

Ferrer (shoulder) played catch from 60 feet Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ferrer had been shut down since mid-March with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. He's on the 60-day injured list and it will be a while before he can return, but he's ready to begin a throwing progression.

Bader is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

Bader will get the day off Friday, as Tyrone Taylor handles center field against Aaron Civale and the Rays. Bader played in each game of the Mets four-game series against the Cubs, so it's likely a rest day for the center fielder.

Garcia (illness) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Fredericksburg on Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Garcia had a stomach bug bad enough that it forced an injured list move last month, but he's ready for action again. The reliever should return to the Nats' bullpen next week when first eligible.

Gallo (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Fredericksburg on Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's a relatively quick turnaround for Gallo, who went on the injured list less than a week ago with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. Because he's missed so little time, Gallo shouldn't need too many rehab games before being activated.