MLB Player News

Trivino (elbow) threw another bullpen session Tuesday and is slated for a "two-up" session Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

If that goes well, he'll be cleared for a live batting practice session. Trivino will need a few rehab appearances after missing more than a month with an elbow strain, but he's trending in the right direction.

Bard (personal) faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list March 30, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Bard remains on the 15-day injured list while he works through anxiety, but he's staying ready as part of a throwing progression and could perhaps feel well enough mentally to be activated before the end of April. Pierce Johnson has been serving as Colorado's primary closer in Bard's absence.

Heuer (elbow) will throw a one-inning live batting practice Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery back in March 2022, Heuer continues to progress through the rehab process and has now been cleared to face hitters. He still has a ways to go and will likely require a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, but he remains on track to return around mid-June.

Taylor (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor did well in Triple-A during his rehab assignment, throwing 3.1 scoreless frames over four appearances. However, he will have to remain in the minors for the time being. If he maintains a high level of play, he could find himself back in Houston's bullpen at some point this season.

Gomez is on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Somerset with a shoulder injury, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty was seen as a high-upside prospect in the past, but durability has been a major issue, as he has never logged more than 56.1 innings in a season, and that high-water mark was back in 2019. Given that he is already on the Yankees' 40-man roster, it wouldn't be surprising to see Gomez transitioned to a full-time relief role in the next year or two.

Villalobos was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Tuesday and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Villalobos had been designated for assignment Sunday by the Marlins. The 25-year-old right-hander was off to an ugly start this season at Triple-A Jacksonville, but he posted a 2.86 ERA and 101:29 K:BB over 78.2 innings of relief between the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2022.

Barriera dealt with a shoulder issue this spring and was held back in extended spring training, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Per Callis, the Jays are being "super cautious" with Barriera's workload back in Florida before assigning him to a full-season affiliate. The 23rd overall pick last season, Barriera has a very high ceiling and could break out this year if he can get fully healthy. Look for the Jays to keep the training wheels on with their prized lefty this year, likely limiting how deep he goes into games early in the season.

Brash (0-1) was charged with the loss in an extra-innings defeat at the hands of the Cubs on Monday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Entrusted with preserving a 2-2 tie when he entered in the bottom of the 10th, Brash ran into immediate trouble when inning-opening runner Nick Madrigal stole third base while Tucker Barnhart was at the plate. Although Brash was subsequently able to record the strikeout, Nico Hoerner then snapped the deadlock with a game-winning single to right field. It's been an uneven start to the season for Brash, who's now allowed at least one run in three of seven appearances but has also posted a stellar 12:3 K:BB in just 5.2 innings.

Finnegan picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Angels, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

Finnegan came on in the ninth with a two-run lead and retired Jake Lamb and Taylor Ward before striking out Mike Trout to end the game. After allowing five runs in a blown save last week versus Tampa Bay, Finnegan has posted three straight scoreless outings and has a strikeout in each of those appearances.

Chafin picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Brewers by striking out the side during a perfect ninth inning.

Chafin came on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and proceeded to strike out Joey Wiemer, Christian Yelich and Willy Adames en route to his second save of the season. The left-hander has yet to allow a run across five appearances (4.1 innings) while striking out seven versus just two walks. Scott McGough, who blew a save last week, has operated in hold situations in each of his past two appearances, so it appears Chafin has the early edge in Arizona's closing competition.