MLB Player News

Senzatela (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday and plans to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Senzatela has been on the 15-day IL for nearly a week due to a lower-back strain, but he's making good progress in his recovery. Assuming his upcoming rehab start goes well, the right-hander will likely be on track to rejoin the major-league club in late May or early June.

Overton said Monday that an MRI revealed a stress reaction in his lower back, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He expects to miss 6-to-8 weeks due to the injury.

The Reds will likely formally place Overton on the 15-day injured list prior to Monday's series opener versus the Cubs. Though the news of Overton's injury first surfaced when he was scratched ahead of his start in Toronto over the weekend, the 28-year-old right-hander relayed that he had been pitching through the issue throughout the season. Even though he was ostensibly less than fully healthy, Overton still managed to deliver a 1.82 ERA and 0.89 WHIP through four starts, though an anemic 3.4 K-BB% would have made him a prime candidate for regression had he continued to make regular starts for the Reds. Expect him to be sidelined through the All-Star break while he recovers from the stress reaction.

The Cardinals recalled Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

It's been a busy three days for Liberatore. He was called up for his big-league debut Saturday before being optioned the next day, only to rejoin St. Louis one day later with Steven Matz (shoulder) landing on the injured list. It's unclear exactly how long Matz's absence will last, but Liberatore will get the chance to replace him in the rotation and should have at least a couple more starts to prove he belongs in the big leagues. His debut wasn't particularly good, as he allowed four runs in 4.2 innings against the lowly Pirates, but he's talented enough that there's reason to expect more going forward. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Liberatore is scheduled to make his second start with the Cardinals next Saturday versus the Brewers in St. Louis.

Matz was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder impingement.

Matz left his start Sunday against the Pirates after throwing just four pitches due to what was originally called shoulder stiffness. He underwent an MRI later in the day, though for now the injury isn't being referred to as anything worse than an impingement. He'll be eligible to return June 7, but it's not yet clear when the Cardinals expect him back. Matthew Liberatore was recalled to take his place in the rotation.

Ashcraft returned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Ashcraft was one of four players who joined the Reds for their weekend series in Toronto, replacing a group of players who evidently couldn't cross the border into Canada due to their decision not to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19. Ashcraft got the chance to start Sunday and allowed two runs over 4.1 innings during his MLB debut. He'll return to Louisville for now with the team back on the American side of the border.

The Reds reinstated Mahle from the restricted list Monday.

Mahle missed the weekend series in Toronto while on the restricted list, suggesting that he was ineligible to cross the border into Canada by electing not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He wouldn't have pitched during the series even if he was allowed to be in the country, however, as he had just started Thursday in Cleveland. He's expected to return to the mound Tuesday against the Cubs for what could be a two-start week, as he'll be on turn to pitch Sunday against the Giants as well.

Cabrera struck out 11 batters over six innings Friday for Triple-A Jacksonville, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk.

The innings and whiffs were both season highs for the 24-year-old right-hander, and the outing came while Max Meyer (elbow) was on the shelf with ulnar nerve irritation. If the Marlins decide to open a spot in the big-league rotation within the next couple weeks, Cabrera appears to be ready for the assignment.

Strasburg (neck) is expected to need at least three rehab starts before rejoining the Nationals' rotation, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander will make the first of those starts Tuesday at Single-A Fredericksburg, where he'll have a target workload of four innings and 60 pitches. Manager Dave Martinez indicated Sunday that the team wants Strasburg to comfortably be able to throw at least six innings and 90 pitches before being activated, and given his long layoff after thoracic outlet surgery last summer, it's possible he could need more than three rehab outings to prove to the organization he's ready. Strasburg threw only 26.2 big-league innings over the prior two seasons and still has four years and $140 million remaining on his current contract, so don't expect the Nationals to push him too hard in 2022.

Eflin allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 in seven innings during Sunday's win over the Dodgers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Although Eflin recorded a quality start during Sunday's outing, he was in line for his third straight loss when he exited the matchup. However, the Phillies tied the game in the ninth inning, allowing the right-hander to settle for a no-decision. Eflin now has three quality starts in his last four outings, but he's picked up just one win during that time. He projects to make his next start on the road against the Mets on Friday.

Gonsolin allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings during Sunday's loss to the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gonsolin logged a second consecutive quality start Sunday, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision in the low-scoring matchup. Although he was unable to pick up his fifth win, the right-hander matched his season-high strikeout total and continued his strong start to the season in which he's posted a 1.62 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 39 innings over eight starts. Gonsolin tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Arizona on Friday.