MLB Player News

Gonsolin (ankle) allowed two earned runs over three one-hit innings in the first outing of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He issued two walks and struck out seven.

Gonsolin gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the second, but that was the only hit he allowed in the 57-pitch outing against Triple-A Albuquerque. Having now recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered in early March and now in the process of getting stretched back out for starting duty, Gonsolin is on track to join the Dodgers rotation in early May, possibly after just one more outing on the farm.

Greene (tibia) is listed as the Reds' starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Greene was diagnosed with a right tibia contusion after his most recent start in Monday's 8-1 win over the Rays ended early when he was struck by a comebacker, but it looks like he'll be ready to go when he returns to the hill Sunday on five days' rest. Since suffering the tibia contusion, Greene inked a six-year, $53 contract extension that includes a $21 million team option for 2029, potentially locking him into the Cincinnati rotation for the rest of the decade.

Burnes (pectoral) is listed as the Brewers' probable starter for Sunday's game against the Red Sox at American Family Field.

Burnes' inclusion on the Brewers' weekend pitching schedule confirms that he checked out fine after throwing a bullpen session Wednesday. The right-hander exited his start in Monday's win over the Mariners with a left pectoral strain, but his removal looks to have been mostly precautionary in nature. Through four starts on the season, Burnes is 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 22.2 innings.

Sanchez (triceps) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Due to a postponement Monday that created a doubleheader with the White Sox on Tuesday, the Phillies will have a need for a temporary sixth starter Saturday, when the team plays its sixth game in five days. Sanchez, who has spent all season on the IL while recovering from a left triceps strain, will step in to fill the opening. In his second rehab start last Sunday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Sanchez built up to 4.2 innings, striking out five while allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks.

Henry is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno to join the Arizona rotation after the Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Henry looks like he'll get the first chance to fill Bumgarner's vacated rotation spot, which comes around again Monday versus the Royals. Brandon Pfaadt should soon enter consideration for a starting role with the big club, too, especially if Henry's early struggles at Reno carry over to the MLB scene. The 25-year-old holds an ugly 6.33 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB in 21.1 innings (four starts) this season with Reno and had a 5.36 ERA in nine big-league starts in 2022.

Pfaadt is scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

It's notable that Pfaadt is basically on the same pitching schedule as Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Pfaadt could eventually slide into Arizona's starting rotation as a direct replacement for Bumgarner, though Tommy Henry will reportedly get the first chance to fill the opening. Pfaadt, 24, has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 395:64 K:BB in 312 career minor-league innings and entered the 2023 campaign as a consensus top-100 prospect. He's tallied 17 strikeouts through 13.1 frames this season with Reno.

Stoudt was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Stoudt got knocked around in a spot start Wednesday versus the Rays, yielding seven earned runs on nine hits and one walk over four innings. Luke Weaver (forearm) has been activated off the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move and will jump into Cincinnati rotation Thursday against the Pirates.

Abbott has 36 strikeouts and three walks while sporting a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP in 15.2 innings through three starts for Double-A Chattanooga.

A 64.3 percent strikeout rate and 58.9 K-BB% is a quick way for a pitching prospect to generate buzz. While Abbott was a known prospect entering the year, most evaluators had him pegged as a back-end starter. Last year, he had a 4.75 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 30.8 percent strikeout rate and 10.6 percent walk rate in 20 starts at Double-A. Look for Abbott to quickly get promoted to Triple-A, as he now has over 100 innings under his belt at Double-A and will turn 24 in June. From there, he could force a promotion to the majors in short order, given that Luis Cessa and Luke Weaver are currently in the big-league rotation. Abbott's hot start oversells his prospect value, as he's a cerebral lefty with a low-90s fastball, quality breaking ball and improved changeup, but there's no doubt he is trending up as much as any Double-A pitching prospect.

Gore (2-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings against Baltimore. He struck out seven.

Gore has been the best starting pitcher on the Nationals this season, leading the rotation in ERA (3.43), strikeouts (25) and wins. The former Padre is on pace to shatter his total of 70 innings pitched in his rookie season last year, barring any health issues. The third overall pick in the 2017 draft is tentatively scheduled to face the Mets at Citi Field in his next outing.

Morton (2-2) took the loss against San Diego on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Morton pitched well Wednesday, but he took the loss as a result of serving up a solo homer to Juan Soto in the fourth inning that was the lone run in the contest. The veteran hurler nonetheless had plenty of positive takeaways from the outing, as he recorded his second straight quality start and yielded a season-low five hits. Morton did struggle a bit with walks, and he's now issued multiple free passes in each of his first four contests this season. The right-hander's 17:10 K:BB through 22.1 innings isn't ideal, but he's managed a 3.22 ERA thus far.