MLB Player News

Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.

Walks were a problem for Matz on Saturday, and his free pass to Conner Joe with the bases loaded tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. He also allowed a long home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes -- estimated at 440 feet -- in the first, but that was it in terms of runs. Even with the control issues, this was the best start of the season for the southpaw, as he came into the game with a 8.18 ERA and allowed at least four runs in both of his previous outings. He'll get a chance to build on this effort next week, as he's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Seattle.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

There was plenty of traffic and self-inflicted damage for Contreras in the no-decision, but the right-hander was able to keep the Cardinals at bay after giving up two runs in the first inning. He's pitched effectively in two of his three outings thus far in 2023 with the one exception being a seven-run struggle against the Astros in his previous start. It's true for many pitchers in the early stages, but Contreras has pitched better than his 6.00 ERA over 15 innings suggests.

Verlander (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday in Florida, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It was his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a low-grade teres major muscle strain just before Opening Day. Verlander will do another bullpen workout early next week before then advancing to live batting practice. At least one minor-league rehab start would follow. There's no exact timetable, but the veteran right-hander appears on track to make his Mets debut around late April or early May.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday that Woodruff has been diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his right shoulder, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The good news is that the injury will not require surgery, but the bad news is that Woodruff is going to miss more than just 15 days. He was placed on the injured list Tuesday with what was originally labeled as right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff will be shut down from throwing for a stretch and there is no estimated timetable for his return to the Milwaukee rotation. He's scheduled to visit with a specialist early next week.

Butto was recalled Saturday from Triple-A Syracuse.

Butto could draw a start at some point during the Mets' current West Coast road trip, which began Friday and runs through next Sunday. He has registered a 1.86 ERA and 8:5 K:BB through 9.2 innings (two starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

Musgrove (toe/shoulder) will make another rehab start Sunday with Single-A Lake Elsinore, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

As long as there are no setbacks during that outing, Musgrove should be cleared to join the Padres' rotation late next week. He threw 4.1 innings in his rehab debut last week with Triple-A El Paso but needed a cortisone shot in his right shoulder after falling hard on a fielding play. The 30-year-old right-hander tossed a full-intensity bullpen session Friday without issue and is now finally nearing the end of his recovery from a February toe fracture.

Overton was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right elbow strain.

Overton apparently suffered the injury while surrendering five earned runs over just three innings in his third start of the season Friday night against the Phillies. Luke Weaver (forearm) could fill the vacant spot in the Reds' rotation next week.

Pfaadt allowed two runs on six hits and a hit batsman while striking out five over five innings, claiming his first win of the season for Triple-A Reno.

Pfaadt, by coincidence or not, pitched on the same day that Madison Bumgarner had another disappointing start for the Diamondbacks and hinted at an injury following the game, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Bumgarner talked about dealing with "stuff" and a "lot going on," which set off speculation about a trip to the injured list, or Arizona pulling the plug on him as a starter. If either of those scenarios play out, Pfaadt looks like the obvious fill-in, given he's on the same five-day schedule as Bumgarner.

Rogers (1-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six-plus innings in a 5-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out seven.

It was the best performance of the season so far for the southpaw, who nabbed his first win and first quality start while tossing 65 of 96 pitches for strikes. Rogers will take a 4.20 ERA and 16:5 K:BB through 15 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home against the Giants.

Overton (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Reds fell 8-3 to the Phillies, coughing up five runs on five hits and three walks over three innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The 29-year-old right-hander tossed only 28 of 55 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and four of the five hits off Overton went for extra-bases, including a second-inning solo shot by light-hitting Edmundo Sosa. Overton has made three starts this year and failed to work past four innings in any of them, stumbling to a 11.45 ERA and 9:7 K:BB through 11 frames. If he remains in the rotation -- no sure thing -- his next start lines up for a tough home matchup against the red-hot Rays.