MLB Player News

Gibaut (forearm) hopes to begin throwing off a mound Sunday or Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut said Friday that he feels "a night and day difference" in his right forearm as he recovers from a pronator strain. The reliever still doesn't have a timeline for his return and Opening Day remains very much in question, but he looks to be trending in the right direction.

Francis gave up one run on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings while striking out five in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

The 27-year-old right-hander appears to be in the driver's seat for the Blue Jays' fifth starter role, with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking increasingly doubtful for Opening Day. Francis faced a Detroit lineup that included most of its likely regulars and struggled early, plunking Mark Canha with the bases loaded in the first inning to bring home Parker Meadows. He settled down after coaxing a double play out of Carson Kelly to escape the frame, however, eventually leaving the mound having thrown 55 pitches (37 strikes). Through eight innings this spring, Francis has a 10:2 K:BB and hasn't given up a homer.

Stanek agreed to a contract with the Mariners on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Stanek tallied 38 holds and a 2.41 ERA for the Astros between 2021 and 2022 but took a step back last season with just three holds and a 4.09 ERA in 55 outings. The veteran righty should fill a middle relief role for the Mariners in 2024.

Lopez struck out four and walked one over three scoreless, no-hit innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He didn't enter the game until the fifth inning, but Lopez still got to face a number of Boston regulars and counted Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida among his strikeout victims. The 30-year-old still appears to be in the lead for Atlanta's fifth starter job thanks to his 1.13 ERA and 7:2 K:BB through eight spring innings, but Bryce Elder got the start Thursday and also pitched well, fanning six batters in 3.1 frames. Given that Elder made 31 starts last season and Lopez hasn't thrown more than 66 innings in a season since 2021, this competition could come down to the wire.

Atlanta reassigned Giles to minor-league camp Friday.

Giles was in camp as a non-roster invitee and allowed one run on one hit with five strikeouts and three walks in three innings across his three Grapefruit League appearances. The veteran right-hander has just nine big-league appearances since 2019 but has a strong track record and could receive a look later on with Atlanta if he can stay healthy.

Uribe tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's Cactus League contest against the White Sox.

Uribe was tagged for two earned runs in his spring debut, but he has since thrown three scoreless frames over three appearances, allowing two runners to reach base over that span. After a sterling rookie season in which he struck out 39 batters over 30.2 innings and posted a 1.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, he is on track to open the regular season with a high-leverage role in Milwaukee's bullpen.

Atlanta optioned Kerr to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

The 29-year-old was acquired from San Diego for Matt Carpenter and cash in December but won't make Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Kerr had a 4.33 ERA in 22 relief outings for the Padres last season, and he allowed three runs with an 8:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings during Grapefruit League play this spring.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Pivetta is one of two choices to start Opening Day, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports. The other pitcher in consideration is Brayan Bello.

Pivetta, who was relegated from the rotation to the bullpen last May, re-established himself as a starter after adding a sweeper midseason. Over the final two months, the right-hander appeared in 12 games (seven starts) and compiled a 3.98 ERA while striking out 73 over 54.1 innings. "Nick is a workhorse. He's a strong kid," Cora said. "He has his goals, and we all know what he wants to accomplish. He worked hard in the offseason to keep getting better repertoire-wise and body-wise, and he's in a good spot." Pivetta made his second spring start Thursday, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in a loss to Atlanta.

Knebel (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready to pitch to begin the season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Knebel entered spring training behind schedule as he recovers from shoulder surgery, and he has yet to throw live batting practice or appear in a game. He reports feeling good in his recovery but does not have a clear timeline to return. Knebel hasn't pitched at any level of pro ball since 2022, so his ability to contribute with the big-league club remains murky.

Yates allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning in Thursday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

Yates made his third Cactus League appearance and has allowed a run, three hits and one walk while striking out six over three innings. Last year, when Yates posted a 3.28 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 60.1 innings, was the right-hander's first fully healthy year since 2019. He has closing experience and will be part of a late-inning crew that includes Jose Leclerc, David Robertson and Josh Sborz.