MLB Player News

Wainwright (groin) completed a 33-pitch bullpen session Saturday and will throw another side session Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals and Wainwright will figure out his next steps after he repeats his activity from Saturday three days later. Jones notes that Wainwright will most likely face hitters in live batting practice before making a rehab start or pitching in a simulated game prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list. Wainwright could have a chance at returning from the IL by the end of April if he experiences no further setbacks in his recovery from a groin strain.

Steele (1-0) allowed one run on four hits across six innings to earn the win Saturday against the Rangers. He walked four and struck out three.

Steele has been excellent across two starts so far this season, allowing just the one run through 12 innings while striking out 11. The four walks Saturday are a bit concerning, as the lefty struggled with control at times last year. He was still able to post a 3.18 ERA with 126 strikeouts over 119 innings in 2022, and a similar campaign could be on tap in 2023 with the potential for a step forward if he cuts down on the walks. Steele will look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start against the Dodgers on the road.

The Brewers moved Ashby (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby is expected to miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. The move to the 60-day IL clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Bennett Sousa after Sousa was traded to Milwaukee from the Reds on Sunday.

Lauer (1-1) took the loss Saturday, surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings as the Brewers were downed 6-0 by the Cardinals. He struck out four.

Three of the hits off Lauer went for extra bases, including a pair of two-run homers in the third inning by Nolan Arenado and Jordan Walker. The southpaw has served up three homers through his first 9.1 innings this season after getting taken deep 27 times in 158.2 innings last year, and his inability to keep the ball in the park has led to an early 7.71 ERA. Lauer could have trouble turning things around in his next start, which is likely to come on the road against the Padres -- a team tied for sixth in homers on the year heading into Sunday's play.

Montgomery (2-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 6-0 victory over Milwaukee, allowing three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings while striking out nine.

The southpaw's only spot of trouble came in the third inning, as the Brewers loaded the bases with two outs, but Montgomery got Christian Yelich to ground out and didn't allow another baserunner to get into scoring position the rest of the night. Montgomery has been outstanding to begin his first full season with the Cardinals, posting a 2.25 ERA and 12:3 K:BB through his first 12 innings, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, likely to come next week at home against the Pirates.

Velasquez (0-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on six hits and four walks over 2.2 innings as the Pirates fell 11-5 to the White Sox. He struck out one.

The right-hander simply didn't have it against the team he played for in 2022, needing 75 pitches (44 strikes) to record only eight outs. Velasquez has been ineffective in the Pittsburgh rotation to say the least, stumbling out the gates with a 9.82 ERA and 4:5 K:BB through 7.1 innings, and it may not be long before he cedes his spot to a prospect like Luis Ortiz. Velasquez will look to get on track in his next outing, likely to come next week on the road against the Cardinals.

Pfaadt allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings for Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Pfaadt, who gave up his fifth home run in two starts, was much better his second time out. The outing also came on the same day that Arizona starter Zach Davies was removed with an oblique injury, which does not appear to be a minor one, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Pfaadt being on the same schedule as Davies puts him into consideration as a replacement. The Diamondbacks could also turn to Drey Jameson, a starter working out of the Arizona bullpen. Aside from Davies' situation, the Diamondbacks may require another starter given the performance of Madison Bumgarner over his first two outings (eight runs, nine hits, 10 walks, 8.2 innings). There could potentially be rotation spots for both Pfaadt and Jameson.

Syndergaard (0-1) took the loss against Arizona on Saturday, allowing six runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Syndergaard previously pitched well in his first start of the season for Los Angeles, allowing one run over six innings against the Diamondbacks. Arizona turned things around on him Saturday, however, tagging him with two long balls that accounted for four of the six runs against him. Syndergaard served up hard contact throughout the outing, as Diamondbacks batters hit eight balls with an exit velocity of 98 mph or higher against him in just the first three frames, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. The right-hander will try to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively slated to come at home against the Cubs next week.

Gomber (0-2) took the loss against Washington on Saturday, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five batters.

Gomber got through two scoreless frames before Stone Garrett tagged him for a three-run home run in the third. After a 1-2-3 fourth inning, Gomber found himself in trouble again in the fifth, as three straight hits led to two more runs. He was pulled after Joey Meneses tagged him for a two-out double. Gomber notched a quality start against San Diego in his first outing, but he's lost both of his first two appearances while posting a 6.75 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 10.2 frames.

Williams (1-1) earned the win over Colorado on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four batters.

Williams kept Colorado off the scoreboard until the fifth inning and departed in the sixth with a four-run lead. Though Colorado eventually made it close, the Nationals held on to give Williams his first win with the team. The right-hander has allowed five earned runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 7:1 K:BB. His next start is tentatively lined up to come at home against Cleveland.