MLB Player News

Nootbaar (ribs) will play four innings in a simulated game Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Nootbaar took eight at-bats in a simulated game Friday but didn't play defense, and Cardinals manager Oli Marmol noted that the outfielder felt no pain on his swings. Nootbaar will ramp up his activity Saturday by handling outfield duties as well, and his performance will give St. Louis a better indication of when he might return to major-league action.

Buehler (elbow) will start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Buehler pitched four innings during a simulated game to conclude spring training, and the expectation is that he'll throw another four-to-five frames in his first rehab start. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that the right-hander will likely make four rehab starts in the minors. Assuming he receives the usual rest period between each start, that would put him on pace to return to the Dodgers on April 20.

Carlson received a cortisone injection in his left shoulder Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Jones will rest over the next few days before ramping up his activity. He was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday after sustaining a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder when he collided with Jordan Walker in the outfield March 25. Victor Scott got the start in center field Opening Day with Carlson, Lars Nootbaar (rib) and Tommy Edman (wrist) all on the IL.

The Giants placed Jackson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jackson had to leave Thursday's game against San Diego after straining his back, and the injury is apparently severe enough to sideline him for a couple of weeks. Kai-Wei Teng was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill Jackson's spot in the bullpen.

The Giants recalled Teng from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The move corresponds with Luke Jackson (back) being placed on the Giants' 15-day IL. Teng started 2023 in Double-A Richmond, and he managed to work his way up to Triple-A Sacramento by June. With Sacramento, he posted a 4.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 96:48 K:BB over 79 innings while going 6-5 over 16 starts. Teng will fill Jackson's spot in the bullpen.

The Giants recalled Matos from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

With Mike Yastrzemski away on paternity leave, Matos will come up from the minors to fill the void in San Francisco's outfield. The 22-year-old slashed .250/.319/.342 across 253 plate appearances in the majors last season, and he will likely grab a spot on the bench until Yastrzemski returns.

Yastrzemski is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Yastrzemski started in right field Thursday and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His absence Friday is due to him going on the paternity list for the weekend, as reported by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. LaMonte Wade will shift to right field while Wilmer Flores draws the start at first base Friday.

Murphy is headed to the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Murphy injured his oblique on a swing during Friday's game against Philadelphia. Travis d'Arnaud will take over duties as Atlanta's primary catcher while Murphy is out, and the team will likely promote Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Gwinnett to act as the backup.

Merrill is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants.

Merrill started in center field Thursday, and he finished 0-for-2 with one run, one walk and one strikeout while batting ninth. With left-hander Kyle Harrison starting for the Giants on Friday, Jose Azocar will play center field and bat ninth.

Wade is not in the Padres' lineup Friday against the Giants.

With the Giants starting left-hander Kyle Harrison on Friday, Eguy Rosario will draw the start at third base and bat eighth. Wade was the third baseman Thursday and went 1-for-3 with one run, one RBI and one strikeout.