MLB Player News

The Mariners placed Kirby (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Seattle hasn't provided any official updates on Kirby's status since he was placed on the IL last week, but the right-hander was able to resume his throwing program March 21 after he was briefly shut down due to shoulder inflammation. Kirby is eligible to return from the IL next Tuesday, but he looks like he'll need more time beyond that to complete his throwing progression and get fully stretched out for starting duty. Emerson Hancock secured a spot in the Mariners' Opening Day rotation as a result of Kirby's injury.

Giolito (hamstring) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Giolito is one of two injured Red Sox starters heading out on a rehab assignment with Worcester this week, as Brayan Bello (shoulder) is slated to pitch Tuesday. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Giolito is expected to cover around three innings Wednesday, and he'll likely make two more rehab starts after that before being activated from the 15-day injured list. The right-hander looks on pace to rejoin the rotation in the second half of April.

The Yankees transferred Brubaker (rib) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Brubaker has yet to make his Yankees debut since being acquired from the Pirates last March, as he missed the entire 2024 season while completing his recovery from April 2023 Tommy John surgery. He appeared poised to come off the IL after the All-Star break last season, but an oblique strain suffered during his rehab assignment thwarted those plans. Brubaker then returned to full health in advance of spring training, only to get drilled by a line drive in his first Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 21 and sustaining three rib fractures on his left side. The right-hander has yet to resume baseball activities since suffering the injury, so the Yankees were comfortable moving him to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Adam Ottavino. Brubaker won't be eligible to return from the IL until late May.

Estes (0-1) allowed six runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings Monday to take the loss against the Cubs.

Estes had the honor of starting the Athletics' first home game in Sacramento, but he was unable to turn in a good outing. Chicago tagged him for three long balls, two of which came in a four-run first inning. Estes also struggled with his control, throwing just 49 of 85 pitches for strikes and issuing four free passes. He narrowly won a spot over Mitch Spence in the team's rotation following a poor performance during spring training, so Estes will likely need to show considerable improvement moving forward to stick as a big-league starter.

Ortiz (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.2 innings.

The outing started well enough for Ortiz, as he retired the side in order on three groundouts in the first inning. However, the Padres exploded for four runs in the second frame, and they tacked on three more runs against him in the fifth. A lack of control was partly to blame for Ortiz's struggles, as he walked four batters, and three of those recipients came around to score. The right-hander struggled during the spring slate, and those issues carried over into at least his first outing of the regular season. Ortiz will try to right the ship the next time he takes the mound, which is tentatively slated to be this weekend against the Angels.

Hancock (0-1) took the loss Monday against Detroit, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts.

The Seattle right-hander failed to escape the first inning as the Tigers whacked three extra-base hits (two doubles and a homer) off Hancock before he was mercifully relieved by Tayler Saucedo. Despite the rough 2025 debut, Hancock has a chance to keep a spot in the Mariners rotation while George Kirby (shoulder) is on the injured list, but he'll need to show improvement. Hancock, a 2020 first-round pick, currently lines up to make his next start at San Francisco this weekend.

Jobe did not factor into the decision in Monday's 9-6 victory over Seattle, pitching four innings while allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. He struck out three.

The Tigers rookie failed to reach the fifth inning and be eligible for the win despite his offense plating six runs in the first inning. Jobe struggled with his command in this outing, issuing four free passes after yielding six walks across 16.1 spring innings, and allowed two homers before being lifted after 79 pitches. Jobe will look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled to be against the White Sox at home this weekend.

Hurter picked up the save in Monday's 9-6 win over Seattle, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out two.

The lefty reliever entered in the seventh inning and finished off the victory to secure his first career save. The only blemish on Hurter's performance was a ninth inning two-run homer off the bat of Cal Raleigh when Detroit held a five-run lead. This was a rare save for Hurter, who should continue to serve in middle relief for the Tigers.

Francis (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two runs on two hits and three walks in six innings Monday against Washington. He struck out four.

Although Francis gave up just two hits, both were home runs. In fact, the right-hander had tossed five no-hit innings before CJ Abrams and James Wood went back-to-back for a couple of solo shots in the sixth frame. Francis is set to function as a full-time member of the rotation in 2025 and how has a 1.50 ERA over his last nine starts dating back to last year, with his next showing tentatively set for this weekend on the road against the Mets.

Blanco (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Giants, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out six.

Blanco was not sharp during the Grapefruit League, pitching to an 8.44 ERA and 2.25 WHIP across 10.2 innings, and carried that malaise into this performance. The Houston right-hander labored across his five frames, requiring 92 pitches, only 43.5 percent of which found the strike zone, to complete the task. Blanco will look to bounce back in his next start this weekend, currently scheduled to be at Minnesota.