MLB Player News

Tinoco (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

A back strain sent Tinoco to the injured list Sunday, but he is now back to throwing off a mound just a few days later. His progress is a good sign that he may be able to return when eligible April 12, though the Marlins haven't committed to that date just yet.

The Nationals could start Lord against the Diamondbacks on Sunday if he's not needed out of the bullpen Friday or Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander made Washington's Opening Day roster and has given up two runs (one earned) in three relief appearances, but he could be called upon to start with Michael Soroka (biceps) landing on the injured list Friday. Lord split most of last season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, and he finished 2024 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 135:49 K:BB across 129.2 innings.

Brash (elbow) threw a bullpen session prior to Friday's series opener against the Giants, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash is progressing as planned in his recovery from 2024 Tommy John surgery, although the next step in his throwing program has hit a brief delay. The right-hander appears to be ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, but Daniel Kramer of MLB.com notes Brash has remained with the Mariners in San Francisco instead of joining Triple-A Tacoma due to frigid temperatures in the forecast in Reno, where Tacoma has a three-game weekend set. The hard-throwing Brash should be able to get in his first rehab action at some point next week, and he remains on track to help Seattle's bullpen in late April or early May.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Matzek (oblique) is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment and could join the big-league bullpen by the end of April, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Matzek inked a minor-league deal with the Yankees in February but suffered a strained oblique during Grapefruit League play Feb. 25. The 34-year-old left-handed reliever missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery and pitched just 10 innings in the big leagues with Atlanta last season, turning in a 9.90 ERA and 10:3 K:BB across 11 regular-season appearances.

Effross suffered a setback with his strained hamstring and remains in a holding pattern with his recovery, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Effross suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in his first appearance of the spring back on Feb. 25 and remains without an official timetable for his return. He's yet to advance to facing hitters. The 31-year-old right-hander pitched just 3.1 innings in the big leagues with the Yankees last season, registering a 5.40 ERA and 2:2 K:BB across three regular-season appearances.

The Mariners designated Danner for assignment Friday.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in early March and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Luis F. Castillo, who is making his MLB debut Friday against the Giants. Danner delivered 2.2 scoreless frames in two outings for Tacoma before the roster move, and he should remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Burr (shoulder) could be ready to throw a bullpen session next week, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation since the beginning of spring training but is coming along steadily. He'll require a rehab assignment before returning, and it's going to be a while before he's ready to pitch in games.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Swanson (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he was given a cortisone injection to combat carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm. There's no timetable yet for Swanson's return, but he's making progress.

Assad (oblique) will throw two innings in an extended spring training game Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He's expected to make an additional appearance in extended spring training after that before heading out on a formal rehab assignment. That would seem to point to Assad being at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Cubs. Ben Brown is currently holding down the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Hendriks (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

It will be the first time Hendriks has thrown off a mound since he landed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Hendriks will be eligible for activation April 8, but given that he's just now getting back on the bump, he's unlikely to return at that time.