MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It will be the first time Gray has thrown off a mound since he was diagnosed with a flexor strain nearly a month ago. The right-hander will eventually progress to facing hitters and going out on a rehab assignment, but it could be a couple weeks still before he's ready to return.

Winker is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt versus the Blue Jays.

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is starting for the Jays on Friday and he's limited left-handed batters to a .351 OPS this season. Meanwhile, the lefty-hitting Winker has a .505 OPS against southpaws in 2024. Ildemaro Vargas is in left field.

Young will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Young batted leadoff a few times last month, but this is the first time since April 19 that a player other than CJ Abrams has been at the top of the batting order for the Nationals. Abrams is hitting second Friday. The Nats are facing southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, and the right-handed hitting Young has a .313/.353/.375 slash line versus lefties this season.

The Phillies are considering piggybacking Turnbull with another starter, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Turnbull's stint in the Phillies' rotation was supposed to be temporary while Taijuan Walker (shoulder) worked his way back. However, Turnbull has pitched so well -- posting a 1.67 ERA and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings -- that the club is considering ways to keep him in its rotation even with Walker back in the fold. A six-man rotation hasn't been ruled out, although manager Rob Thomson has indicated it's unlikely. Instead, it seems that Turnbull and another starter -- either Walker or Cristopher Sanchez -- will be used in tandem, with the decision on who would start and who would be in long relief that day depending on the opposition. Turnbull could still eventually shift to the bullpen on a full-time basis, as he hasn't thrown more than 56.2 innings in a season since 2019, but it doesn't sound like that's going to happen yet. Thomson indicated that he could make an announcement regarding his rotation plans as soon as Friday.

The Pirates activated Grandal (foot) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Grandal got a late start to the season while battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but he participated in nine rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis and is feeling well enough to join the active roster after batting .257 (9-for-35) with two doubles and a homer. The veteran catcher is likely to share starts behind the dish with Joey Bart.

The Pirates optioned Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Davis entered the season as the Pirates' clear No. 1 catcher, but he slashed just .162/.280/.206 with a 34.9 percent strikeout rate and recently had fallen into a timeshare with Joey Bart. The Pirates will presumably keep Davis at catcher at Indianapolis, although it's possible he could be worked back into the mix in right field.

Moreno (mouth) will catch and bat seventh in Friday's contest against the Padres.

Moreno didn't play Wednesday following a dental procedure, but he's ready to go following the Diamondbacks' off day Thursday. The young catcher sports a disappointing .669 OPS on the season and has yet to go deep.

Grandal (foot) joined the Pirates at PNC Park on Friday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Grandal has not yet been activated from the injured list, but that seems likely to happen prior to Friday's game against the Rockies. The veteran catcher missed the first month-plus of the season due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot but has played nine rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a .716 OPS with one home run. Pittsburgh could send the struggling Henry Davis down to make room on the active roster for Grandal.

Mears could be in the mix for save opportunities this weekend against the Pirates after the Rockies placed closer Justin Lawrence on the paternity list Friday.

Mears was an effective high-leverage option through the first few weeks of the season with a 2.08 ERA and three holds in nine outings, but he's surrendered six runs over his past four appearances. Jake Bird should also be on the shortlist for saves, but neither pitcher provides much fantasy upside. The Rockies have only three saves as a team this season, and Lawrence should rejoin the club early next week.

Bird could be in the mix for save opportunities this weekend in Pittsburgh after Colorado placed closer Justin Lawrence on the paternity list Friday.

Bird has one save and two holds in 13 outings this season, though he has an unimpressive 5.52 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Nick Mears could also be an option, but neither pitcher offers much fantasy upside since Lawrence should be back in a few days, plus the Rockies have just three saves as a team this season.