MLB Player News

Fried (forearm) has been able to lift weights, but there's been no sign he's close to resuming throwing, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Fried hit the injured list in early May with a strained left forearm, and while he's yet to be placed on the 60-day injured list, initial reports suggested he'd miss at least two months. It's a positive to see him beginning to work his way back, but manager Brian Snitker didn't know when the lefty was set to be re-evaluated, so it doesn't appear as though he's about to be cleared to throw in the immediate term.

Webb left Saturday's start against the Marlins with lower back tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Webb fired six scoreless innings while allowing four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts before he was removed from the contest. The right-hander told reporters he doesn't expect to miss his next start and that he's not scheduled to undergo an MRI at this point. It's certainly something to pay close attention to, but it does appear for now that Webb will be good to roll next week.

Liberatore will be available out of the bullpen against the Dodgers on Sunday but is still expected to start sometime next week if he isn't needed in relief, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Clear messaging hasn't been a strength of the Cardinals organization this season, and Liberatore's situation is the latest case. He impressed in the minors as well as in his season debut for the big-league club Wednesday against the Brewers, though it wasn't initially clear that he was up for anything more than a spot start. The Cardinals would have to go to a six-man rotation to fit him in permanently, and while manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Thursday that Liberatore would indeed remain a starter, that now seems to be less than a lock. Even if Liberatore does wind up pitching in relief Sunday and temporarily taking himself out of rotation consideration, however, he shouldn't have to wait too long to make his next start, as the Cardinals are seemingly impressed by his performance this season.

Urias was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Dodgers on Saturday with a left hamstring strain, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Urias struggled in his start Thursday against the Cardinals while allowing six runs in just three innings, and it's possible the hamstring injury was partially responsible for the issues. The left-hander is now scheduled to miss at least two weeks while recovering. Wander Suero will take Urias's place on the roster, but the Dodgers will need to add a new starter to the roster in the coming days. It could be Gavin Stone or Michael Grove -- or possibly both -- with Dustin May (elbow) also out of action.

The Brewers recalled Rea from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Rea takes the place of J.B. Bukauskas on the active roster after Bukauskas was placed on the 15-day injured list with a cervical strain. Rea has been mediocre with Milwaukee this year, as seen in a 5.52 ERA over 31 innings in seven appearances (six starts), but he could be in line to make multi-inning appearances for the Brewers in this stint due to the lack of available options for the Milwaukee pitching staff due to injury.

Grove (groin) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the coming days, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grove has left St. Louis and will prepare for that rehab start with the Triple-A Dodgers. The right-hander has been on the shelf with a right groin strain, and he'll likely need to make one more rehab appearance before having a chance to join the Los Angeles pitching staff before the end of June.

Lauer will start Saturday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After working 5.1 innings in relief in his most recent appearance against Kansas City on May 14, Lauer will take back his spot in the rotation from Colin Rea, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville after starting that day's game. With Rea having since been recalled after Wade Miley (lat/rib) was placed on the 15-day injured list, however, the Brewers look as though they'll have room for both Lauer and Rea in the rotation moving forward. Lauer enters Saturday's contest sporting a 4.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB across 39.2 innings for the season.

Walker will start on three days' rest Sunday against the Cubs, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies demoted struggling starting Bailey Falter and didn't call up anyone to replace him, so they'll need to get creative with the pitching. Walker will be available on short rest after getting knocked out in the first inning of his previous start Wednesday against the Giants. Walker has struggled in his first nine starts as a Phillie, posting a 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

Davies (oblique) is scheduled for his first rehab start Saturday with Double-A Amarillo, the Arizona Republic reports.

Davis has thrown bullpen sessions and worked in extended spring training games, and he is now progressing to minor-league action. The Diamondbacks will evaluate him following Saturday's outing to determine if he'll need another rehab start before being activated from the injured list.

Houser did not factor into the decision Friday, tossing six scoreless innings in which he allowed four hits and one walk during a 1-0 loss to the Rays. He struck out four.

Houser's start to the season was delayed by a stint on the injured list, and he wasn't sharp in his first two outings, allowing five runs on 15 hits across 8.2 innings. However, the right-hander found his form Friday and tossed six shutout frames against Tampa Bay's stout offense. Houser will look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a three-game set versus Houston.