MLB Player News

Walker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The plan is for Walker to get four starts with increasing pitch counts before joining the Phillies rotation. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com adds that Philadelphia wants to see Walker reach 100 pitches before rejoining the team. Walker threw 46 pitches pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he could be ready to handle around four innings and 60 pitches in his first rehab start. The right-hander was placed on the team's 15-day injured list after dealing with a right shoulder impingement during spring training.

The Reds recalled Spiers from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

The right-hander will take the bullpen spot of Tejay Antone (elbow), who was placed on the injured list Monday. Spiers made his big-league debut with four appearances last season and had a 6.92 ERA over 13 innings.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Lodolo (calf) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Saturday against the White Sox, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo struggled in his final rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, allowing four runs over 2.2 innings. He tossed 64 pitches in that outing after throwing 77 pitches in his first rehab start, so don't expect the left-hander to work deep into Saturday's game. Even in a favorable matchup against a White Sox lineup that's without both Eloy Jimenez (adductor) and Luis Robert (hip), Lodolo looks like an iffy fantasy play in his first start back due to workload concerns.

Garrett (shoulder) allowed two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Garrett struck out five, didn't walk anyone and averaged 90.6 mph with his sinker, which is right at his average from last season. The left-hander got his pitch count up to 66 and induced 11 swinging strikes. Garrett has been working his way back from a left shoulder impingement and will probably need at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Marlins' rotation.

Taillon (back) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday.

Taillon struck out four and got his pitch count up to 52. From a results perspective, it's not the outing Taillon and the Cubs were looking for, but he'll get another rehab start or two to sharpen things up before rejoining the Cubs' rotation. Taillon didn't pitch at all during spring training due a strained back.

Rea (2-0) got the win over the Mariners on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Rea was uncertain to even make his start Sunday after he was reported to have been battling a stomach virus the day prior but turned in another successful outing. He gave up runs in back-to-back frames to open up the game but was unbothered after the Brewers staked him a 6-2 lead by the third. Rea's stuff hasn't been flashy by any means, but he's been an important piece to this rotation that does not have much depth. Things won't get any easier for the 33-year-old who is projected to face the Orioles in Baltimore during the upcoming week.

Gibson (1-1) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings.

The Marlins jumped all over Gibson in the first inning for six runs on five hits, which included two three-run homers off the bats of Jazz Chisholm and Nick Gordon. After a rough opening frame, Gibson was able to then settle in, allowing just two more hits the rest of the way. Gibson has been able to go at least six innings in both starts this season, though he's allowed nine runs on 11 hits (four home runs) in 13 innings. The 36-year-old will look to bounce back in a projected road start against the Diamondbacks this upcoming week.

Meyer (1-0) got the win over the Cardinals on Sunday after allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.

Sunday was Meyer's first-career MLB win and quality start as he became the first Marlins starter to complete six innings so far this year. The 25-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced before Nolan Gorman got to him in the fourth with a solo blast to center. Meyer's been extremely impressive in the early going and has possibly solidified himself a spot in the rotation even once the Marlins return some guys from injury. Meyer now has a 2.45 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over two starts and projects for a tough matchup against Atlanta coming up this week.

Nelson (0-2) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta, giving up three runs on five hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

Outside of solo homers allowed to Matt Olson and Michael Harris, Nelson held his own against one of MLB's top offenses. His strikeout total tied his career high, which was set in his first MLB appearance in September of 2022. While three runs over five innings won't quite right the ship after an awful debut, it's a step in the right direction for the 26-year-old, who's looking to improve upon his poor 5.31 ERA last season. However, he'll likely have only one more trip through the rotation with Jordan Montgomery shooting to join the big-league club as soon as April 19. For now, Nelson is projected for a date with the Cardinals on Saturday.

Sale (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against Arizona, surrendering two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings.

After throwing 83 pitches in his 2024 debut, Sale saw his pitch count rise to 96 on Sunday. However, the result was the same, as he lasted 5.1 innings with two runs allowed. As usual, the big question for Sale's fantasy value comes down to his durability -- he tossed 11.0 innings combined in 2021 and 2022 before rebounding with 102.2 innings across 20 starts in his last season with the Red Sox. For as long as he's healthy, fantasy managers should get some good performances from the talented veteran. While there's some rotational shakeup coming in the wake of Spencer Strider's (elbow) move to the 15-day IL, Sale's tentatively scheduled to face the Marlins in Miami next time out.