MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Priester to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Priester missed out on a spot in the Pirates' season-opening rotation, with Pittsburgh settling on veterans Martin Perez, Marco Gonzales and Bailey Falter and rookie Jared Jones to fill out its starting ranks behind Opening Day starter Mitch Keller. The 23-year-old right-hander finished the spring with a 5.87 ERA and 13:3 K:BB over 15.1 innings.

The Pirates placed Grandal (foot) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Grandal hasn't yet resumed running since experiencing plantar fasciitis in his left foot earlier this month, but once he's able to do so, he should be ready to head out on a rehab assignment. Manager Derek Shelton suggested early in spring training that Grandal would begin camp atop the depth chart at catcher, but the skipper's comments came before the 35-year-old was slowed by the foot injury. With that in mind, Grandal may not be guaranteed the No. 1 catching gig once he's activated from the IL, especially if Henry Davis gets off to a hot start to the season.

The Pirates placed Holderman (illness) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Holderman was set back in spring training by a bout with a virus, but he's expected to throw a live batting practice session this week and should soon head to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin a rehab assignment. The right-hander proved to be one of Pittsburgh's more reliable relievers in his first full season in the organization in 2023, compiling a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB in 56 innings.

The Pirates placed Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.

Mlodzinski won't open the season on the Pirates' 26-man active roster, but he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 9. The right-hander has already resumed throwing off a mound and is expected to throw a live batting practice session later this week, according to MLB.com.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch Thursday against the Marlins due to ongoing rehab from a lat injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar was sidelined for much of spring training with a lat issue, though he managed to make his Grapefruit League debut March 21 while making an additional appearance on March 24. He hasn't been placed on the injured list, so Pittsburgh presumably expects him to be game ready soon.

Yarbrough picked up the save in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing just one hit while logging one strikeout over three scoreless innings.

After Tyler Glasnow held St. Louis to one run in the first six innings, Yarbrough held the Redbirds to a lone single over three efficient innings as he earned an unexpected Opening Day save. The 32-year-old left-hander isn't likely to see many save chances going forward in Los Angeles, as he's slated for a long-relief role. Yarbrough went 8-7 with a 4.52 ERA and 67:14 K:BB across 89.2 innings last season between the Dodgers and Rays.

Mikolas (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

The Dodgers jumped out to a quick lead on Mikolas, scoring twice in the first inning before the 35-year-old right-hander allowed three more runs on a pair of homers in the third. It's certainly not the start to the season Mikolas wanted after he struggled to a 9-13 record with a 4.78 ERA across 35 starts last year. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for early next week in San Diego.

Jackson suffered tightness in his lower back Thursday against San Diego and is being sent for an MRI, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jackson entered the game in the seventh inning and allowed two singles and a walk to the Padres before being removed due to the injury. He suffered from a similar issue in 2023, a concerning development given this was the first game of the new campaign.

Glasnow (1-0) earned the win Thursday against St. Louis. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five.

Paul Goldschmidt's solo home run in the fourth inning was the lone blemish on Glasnow's line Thursday and was one of just two hits allowed by the right-hander. Glasnow needed just 81 pitches to make it through six innings as he picked up his first win with the Dodgers after taking a no-decision in LA's opener in South Korea. The 30-year-old has allowed just two runs through 11 innings this season after going 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 21 starts with Tampa Bay last year.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Rodriguez (shoulder) could throw off a mound within the next week, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rodriguez is still expected to miss several weeks due to his strained left shoulder, but Lovullo said the left-hander's progress has been "very encouraging" so far. A quick return to mound work would make it easier for the Diamondbacks to build him back up quickly, although Rodriguez will likely need to throw a few bullpen sessions before the team starts thinking about a return date.