MLB Player News

Walker (shoulder) felt good after throwing four simulated innings Monday and remains on track to pitch during the weekend series against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Walker exited his season debut after just two innings due to right shoulder bursitis, but he's on track to return in less than three weeks. The Mets have yet to officially announce their plans for the weekend, though Walker would be on schedule to start Saturday's contest.

DeSclafani (ankle) is visiting an ankle specialist, Dr. Robert Anderson, Monday in Green Bay, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was placed on the injured list with right ankle inflammation Friday and will head up to Green Bay with the Giants in Milwaukee for one game. DeSclafani battled the same injury during 2021, and his fastball velocity this season was down about two mph before landing on the shelf. The 32-year-old remains without an official timeline for his return, though that could come into focus following Monday's evaluation.

Cobb (groin) will throw off a mound Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb resumed playing catch Friday, and he'll be able to resume mound work less than a week after he landed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 groin strain. He's eligible to return to game action as early as April 30, and he's made encouraging progress in his recovery so far. However, a better idea of the right-hander's status will likely be revealed based on how he feels following Monday's throwing session.

Gray is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Marlins in Washington.

Both Gray and Joan Adon were options for two starts last week after the two took the hill for the April 19 doubleheader with Arizona, but Washington ended up going with Adon over Gray for Sunday's 12-3 loss to the Giants. Gray will instead take the hill on six days' rest for the Nationals' first game this week Tuesday, setting himself up to make a second turn over the weekend in San Francisco. After getting tagged for four runs on eight hits and two walks in his first start of the season April 8 against the Mets, Gray has bounced back effectively in his subsequent two outings. He's worked five and 5.1 innings, respectively, in wins over Atlanta and Arizona, permitting only one earned run between the starts while striking out 13.

Brubaker allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over three innings in Sunday's win over the Cubs. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Brubaker allowed a pair of runs in the first inning, including an RBI single by Frank Schwindel. He turned in a pair of scoreless frames before the Pirates turned to Dillon Peters to begin the fourth. Brubaker lowered his season ERA to 6.46 through 15.1 frames. He's lined up to face the Padres at home next week.

Nola didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Milwaukee, allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts in seven scoreless innings.

Nola pitched about as well as possible, but his superb performance was unfortunately matched by opposing starter Eric Lauer. The 28-year-old Nola submitted an excellent 84 game score by allowing just two baserunners compared to seven strikeouts and lowered his ERA from 5.52 to 3.74 in the process. He'll look to keep things rolling against the Mets on Friday.

Elder (1-2) allowed two runs on five hits and six walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Marlins.

Elder threw just 54 of his 96 pitches for strikes Sunday, but he was relatively effective at limiting runs. He held Miami scoreless for the first four innings before giving up a pair of runs with two outs in the fifth frame. The right-hander has now been charged with back-to-back losses, and he has a 4.30 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 14.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against the Rangers on Saturday.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 1-0 victory over Philadelphia, allowing five hits and a walk with 13 strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Lauer was in top form for a Sunday Night Baseball pitchers duel with Aaron Nola, running into trouble in just the fifth inning when he was able to work out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam unscathed. The 26-year-old has a career 8.7 K/9 mark but took it to the next level Sunday with 13 whiffs, at one point striking out six straight. Lauer will take his dazzling 2.20 ERA through 16.1 innings into his next start against the Cubs on Saturday.

Luzardo (1-1) allowed a run on two hits and four walks while striking out eight in five innings to earn the win over Atlanta on Sunday.

Luzardo was charged with his first loss of the year during his last outing, but he entered the win column during Sunday's narrow victory. The 24-year-old has now posted a 3.77 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 14.1 innings while striking out 37.5 percent of the batters he's faced in his first three starts of the year. The southpaw tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Mariners on Saturday.

Castillo (shoulder) tossed 2.1 innings Sunday in his rehab start for High-A Dayton, giving up one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out four.

Castillo needed 48 pitches to retire seven of the 11 batters he faced in his first game action at any level since spring training. He pumped in 27 of his pitches for strikes Sunday, and the Reds will likely want to see him show improved efficiency while simultaneously upping his pitch count in his next rehab start. Castillo could move up to Triple-A Louisville for that outing, which would likely be his last before he comes off the 10-day injured list and slots into the Cincinnati rotation.