MLB Player News

Wainwright (groin) is expected to face live hitters Friday or Saturday, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Wainwright made it through another bullpen session Tuesday, delivering two sets of 20 pitches, and is now ready to take the next step in his recovery from a groin strain. The current hope is the veteran right-hander will be able to make his 2023 regular-season debut sometime before the end of April, but he'll surely need a minor-league rehab assignment first.

Fried (hamstring) took part in fielding drills Tuesday and could return without making a rehab start, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jumping into fielding drills seemed to be one of the final steps for Fried before making a rehab start, but it now seems that Atlanta could get its ace back earlier than expected. The 29-year-old lefty will resume covering first base Wednesday, at which point there could be a clearer picture regarding his return. He's first eligible to come off the injured list Saturday.

Verlander (shoulder) was still limited to flat-ground throwing as of Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Verlander has upped the intensity of these flat-ground workouts, but it will remain difficult to map out a timetable for his 2023 debut until he resumes throwing off a mound. Mets manager Buck Showalter said he doesn't expect the veteran right-hander to be ready during the Mets' upcoming West Coast road trip, which runs through April 23. Verlander landed on the injured list March 30 after being diagnosed with a low-grade teres major strain.

Suarez (forearm) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Suarez used all of his pitches during the workout and apparently looked sharp while doing so. There is supposed to be a decision Wednesday about the next step for his recovery, which could very well be a minor-league rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has missed the first couple weeks of the 2023 regular season due to left forearm inflammation but might make it back to the Phillies before the end of April.

High-A Dayton placed Petty on its 7-day injured list last Thursday due to an elbow injury, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

The 20-year-old righty got better as the 2022 season went on, climbing from Single-A to High-A while logging 98.1 innings. Mayo reports that the Reds hope to activate Petty in the coming weeks.

Cueto (biceps) could be sidelined for several weeks, Barry Jackson and Craig Mish of the Miami Herald report.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker expressed optimism last week that Cueto would only require a minimum-length stay on the 15-day IL, but the veteran right-hander will essentially have to start over from scratch with his buildup after missing most of spring training and then exiting his Marlins debut due to a biceps injury. He certainly won't be ready for activation when first eligible next Wednesday.

Maier is recovering from a brace surgery to stabilize his right ulnar collateral ligament but should be able to make his pro debut sometime this season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta still gave Maier a $1.2 million bonus after selecting him in the seventh round of last year's draft even though he had already had the surgery, which speaks to his upside if he can make a full recovery. Pre-injury, Maier was touching 97 mph with his sinker and sporting a high-spin slider and advanced changeup. He will likely be assigned to Single-A or High-A once healthy.

Savino will miss the 2023 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

A third-round pick out of Virginia in last year's draft, Savino will have to wait until 2024 to make his pro debut as a 22-year-old. The 6-foot-3 southpaw showed added velocity in his final college season and has a chance to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Quintana (ribs) was transferred Tuesday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

This move opens up a spot on the Mets' 40-man roster for Seth Elledge, who was claimed off waivers Tuesday from Atlanta. Quintana will be out until at least July after requiring a bone graft on his ribcage in late March to repair a stress fracture and remove a benign tumor.

Soroka (hamstring) tossed four innings of one-run ball Tuesday in his second start with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Soroka scattered three hits and two walks while striking out five in the 69-pitch outing. He needed 29 pitches to get through the first inning but only 40 to cover the following three. Soroka became all the more important to Atlanta's overall pitching depth when it was announced Tuesday morning that Ian Anderson is headed for Tommy John surgery.