MLB Player News

Sale (1-1) absorbed the loss Saturday in Miami, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings. He notched seven strikeouts.

Sale was outdueled by youngster Max Meyer but still managed to go seven frames for the first time since May of last season. The five runs he permitted more than doubled his season total, and his three walks were more than he had on the year coming into the night. Sale's next outing is slated to come at home against the defending champion Rangers.

Steele (hamstring) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele will get back on the bump for the first time since he suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Opening Day. The Cubs anticipate Steele missing the rest of April, but he seems to be tracking toward a return from the 15-day injured list in early May.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Taillon (back) will return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start in the majors, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taillon covered 3.2 scoreless innings and threw 68 pitches in his final rehab start Friday with Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs haven't yet determined which day Taillon will pitch, but he could be activated from the IL as soon as Wednesday in Arizona.

Finnegan picked up the save Saturday in Oakland, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Finnegan was tasked with protecting a two-run lead and did so without a sweat, requiring just nine pitches to dispose of the Athletics in order. While he has an un-closer-like 4.26 ERA, Finnegan is tied for the National League lead with his five saves. Hunter Harvey -- who pitched a scoreless eighth inning Saturday -- has yet to notch a save.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Buehler (elbow/hand) is fine and will make his next rehab start Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Buehler had to be removed from his last rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker. It will not keep him from taking his next turn, though, which will likely come with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It had been looking like Buehler's next rehab start would be his last before rejoining the Dodgers' rotation, but he might now be asked to make an additional appearance since his last one was abbreviated.

Kerkering (forearm) will be activated from the injured list before Sunday's game versus the Pirates, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Kerkering got a late start to the season due to illness and a right forearm strain, but he looked sharp on his rehab assignment with a 10:0 K:BB over 4.1 shutout innings. The 23-year-old might be eased into high-leverage situations, but it shouldn't be long before he's one of the Phillies' most trusted relievers.

Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He's clearing space for Orion Kerkering (forearm), who will be activated from the injured list Sunday. Nelson has yielded two runs over 3.1 relief innings with the Phillies this season.

Gore (2-0) collected a win Saturday in Oakland, tossing five shutout innings on four hits and one walk while striking out 11.

The feeble Athletics lineup had no chance against Gore in this one. All four hits they tallied were singles, and they never advanced past second base while the left-hander was in the game. Gore's 11 strikeouts tied a career high, and he picked up an impressive 20 swinging strikes on 90 pitches. With a 2.81 ERA and 23:5 K:BB over 16 innings, we could be looking at the beginning of a post-hype breakout season from the 25-year-old southpaw.

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

Bogaerts has been rather underwhelming to start the season, slashing .219/.275/.297 through 69 plate appearances. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday while Tyler Wade starts at second base, allowing Eguy Rosario to cover third.

Campusano isn't in San Diego's lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Campusano will get a breather after slashing .158/.200/.158 with three RBI across the Padres' last six games. Kyle Higashioka will start behind the plate instead while batting ninth.