MLB Player News

Lawlar (hand/wrist) underwent X-rays, which came back negative, after Thursday's 17-2 loss to Atlanta, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

He was struck in the right hand/wrist in the bottom of the seventh inning by a sinker from relief pitcher Osvaldo Bido. Lawlar appears to have avoided any significant damage, but the 23-year-old will undergo a CT scan Friday to confirm the diagnosis. If Lawlar is forced to miss any action moving forward, Tim Tawa could stand to see some added opportunities in the outfield against right-handed pitchers.

Jensen was not included in Thursday's lineup against the Twins because he overslept and arrived late to the park, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Jensen was a late scratch from the starting lineup in the team's 5-1 loss to the Twins in the series finale Thursday, which is now understood to be because he overslept. Jensen explained that he didn't wake up to his alarm and that he didn't have an excuse, ultimately feeling like he let his teammates and coaches down. The 22-year-old said he'll learn from his mistake and that it won't happen again. Through five games so far this year, Jensen has gone 2-for-16 with a two-run home run, a walk and eight strikeouts.

Lawlar exited Thursday night's contest against Atlanta in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch in the right hand, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Lawlar took a 94.3-mph sinker from Osvaldo Bido off of his right hand with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, ultimately remaining in the game until Arizona took the field on defense in the top of the eighth. The 23-year-old was replaced in left field by Tim Tawa, and more information on Lawlar's status moving forward will likely be provided in the near future.

Murphy (hip) caught three innings of a simulated game with High-A Rome on Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Murphy has been on the shelf since the beginning of spring training while recovering from right hip surgery, but Wednesday's sim game was a step in the right direction. The catcher will have to work up to nine innings behind the plate and then do so on consecutive days before he'll be considered ready to be activated from the 10-day injured list. The plans for Murphy's upcoming rehab assignment are expected to be announced soon, but he appears to be on track to return at some point in late April or early May.

Sale (illness) may not be in attendance for Thursday night's contest against the Diamondbacks, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Sale was able to battle through the illness on his way to a victory Wednesday against the A's, but manager Walt Weiss stated Thursday that the southpaw is still pretty sick and may have to watch the team's series opener in Arizona from his hotel room. It's unclear if Sale is in any danger of missing his next expected turn in the rotation Monday on the road against the Angels, but it's something to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Strider (oblique) will throw a bullpen session in Phoenix on Friday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Strider has been sidelined with an oblique strain for a couple weeks, and Friday's session will be a significant test for where he's at in his recovery. The right-hander is eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, but he will likely require at least one minor-league rehab start, making a potential return on that date unattainable. More information on his path ahead should be provided following the bullpen session.

Avila will draw the start on the mound Friday against the Brewers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Avila was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, and he will now be tasked with taking the bump in the Royals' series opener against Milwaukee on Friday. The right-hander will replace Michael Wacha (illness) on the mound as Wacha is dealing with an apparent illness. Avila posted 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 14 innings in 13 appearances with Kansas City in 2025, and Friday's start will be his first as a major leaguer.

Wacha (illness) will be forced to miss his scheduled start Friday against the Brewers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Wacha is dealing with an apparent illness and as a result will now have his turn skipped in the Royals' rotation. The 34-year-old will shift his sights on being ready to go for his next tentative turn on the mound in Cleveland next week. In the meantime, Kansas City recalled Luinder Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, and he's expected to toe the rubber in the team's series opener against Milwaukee at home Friday.

Lodolo (blister) exited his minor-league rehab start with Single-A Daytona on Thursday in the third inning, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo was looking to move past the blister on his left index finger by making one start with Single-A Daytona, but the blister reared its ugly head with two outs in the top of the third, forcing the southpaw out of the contest. The hope was that the 28-year-old would be able to return to the Reds in the coming days, but that now appears to be unlikely. Lodolo retired all eight batters he faced in order Thursday, striking out four in the process, and he finished having thrown just 40 pitches when he was scheduled to throw between 60 and 65.

Bailey isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey will take a seat Thursday after going just 2-for-18 (.111) with six strikeouts through his first six games of the year. Daniel Susac will catch instead for left-handed starter Robbie Ray, batting eighth.