MLB Player News

Elder's contract was selected by Atlanta on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled MLB debut against Washington.

Elder will step in for a spot start with Atlanta looking to give Max Fried an extra day of rest prior to his second outing of the year. The 22-year-old righty was merely a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft, but he looked good across the three highest minor-league levels last season. In 25 starts, he cruised to a 2.75 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, with a strong 27.7 percent strikeout rate offsetting his 10.2 percent walk rate.

The Reds announced that Lodolo will have his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville in advance of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Guardians in Cincinnati.

Manager David Bell heavily implied at the end of spring training that Lodolo would break camp as a member of the Cincinnati rotation, but the Reds delayed adding the 24-year-old lefty to the 40-man and 28-man active rosters until a fifth starter was first needed Wednesday. Lodolo should make at least two turns through the rotation before the Reds return either Luis Castillo (shoulder) or Mike Minor (shoulder) from the injured list, and whether the rookie sticks around with the big club on a more permanent basis will likely hinge on how he performs in his initial MLB action. Between his stops at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville in 2021, Lodolo was one of the minor league's most dominant pitchers. He made bats miss at a prolific clip (38.8 strikeout rate) and generated groundballs at a 54 percent clip over 50.2 total innings.

Gomber allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings Monday against the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Gomber pitched a scoreless three innings to open the game, but he ran into trouble in the latter portion of his start. He allowed one run in the fourth frame, surrendering a walk and double to consecutive batters. He exited the game in the fifth inning, leaving runners on first and third -- both of whom were allowed to score by reliever Justin Lawrence. Gomber also threw 78 pitches, which suggests he may be able to work deeper in his next start, currently projected to come Sunday against Chicago.

Ynoa (0-1) took the loss in Monday's 11-2 rout at the hands of the Nationals, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out four.

The young right-hander was able to escape trouble in the first two innings, but things fell apart for Ynoa in the third. He threw 41 of 72 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, but the Atlanta bullpen didn't have any more success than he did. Ynoa will look to rebound in his next start, scheduled for Sunday in San Diego.

Snell (groin) is expected to play catch Tuesday and could still make his next scheduled start against Atlanta on April 15, though a trip to the injured list remains a possibility, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Snell was scratched from his start against Arizona on Sunday after experiencing tightness in his groin while warming up in the bullpen, but the left-hander later said that the injury is "way more minor" than the groin issue that caused him to miss his final few starts at the end of 2021. He's slated to test the groin by playing catch Tuesday, which could give clarity about whether he's headed for a trip to the injured list. Manager Bob Melvin hasn't ruled Snell out of making his next start, though he seems to be leaning toward playing it safe with the hurler. "I'm a little skeptical based on the fact that he had to be scratched...but I don't want to get ahead of myself....We're always going to be cautious, this early in the season," Melvin said Monday.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 5-4 win over the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings. He struck out one.

All three runs scored in the first inning, and while Suarez settled down after that, he still got lifted after 63 pitches (40 strikes). A Phillies' rally in the bottom of the eighth took him off the hook for a loss. Suarez will look to rebound in his next start, scheduled for Saturday in Miami.

Lugo (0-1) blew the save and took the loss as the Mets fell 5-4 to the Phillies on Monday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while recording only one out.

The veteran reliever was one of three Mets arms to work a disastrous bottom of the eighth that began with Trevor May (arm) issuing a leadoff walk before Joely Rodriguez poured more fuel on the fire. By the time Lugo entered the game, a 4-0 lead had shrunk to 4-3, giving him no margin for error when his outing started with a walk to Nick Castellanos and back-to-back doubles by Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius. There's no word on when Edwin Diaz (personal) might rejoin the team, but it seems likely Adam Ottavino will get the Mets' next save chance if it comes before the closer is back.

Peterson threw four scoreless innings in relief of Taijuan Walker (shoulder) during Monday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Walker left the game after two innings, forcing Peterson into the game with the Mets holding a 3-0 lead. The southpaw was sharp, tossing 32 of 58 pitches for strikes, and he was in line for the win until the bullpen fell apart late. If Walker is forced to miss additional time, something that should become clearer after he undergoes an MRI on Tuesday, Peterson figures to be next in line to take his spot in the rotation.

Atlanta is expected to call up Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday's home game against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Tucker Davidson was initially in line to start Tuesday, but he won't be available after covering 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Monday's 11-2 loss in the series opener. Though Opening Day starter Max Fried would be available to take the hill on his normal four days' rest, manager Brian Snitker said after Monday's contest that the southpaw wasn't an option, according to Bowman. With Atlanta seemingly committed to using a six-man rotation to begin the season, Elder, one of the organization's top pitching prospects, will step in to fill the void. The 22-year-old righty won't be guaranteed any starts beyond Tuesday, but if he pitches well in his MLB debut, it's possible that Atlanta considers keeping him in the fold as the sixth starter ahead of Davidson, who was hit hard in relief Monday. Across stops at High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett in 2021, Elder posted a 2.75 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 155:57 K:BB over 137.2 innings.

Wood got a no-decision during Monday's 4-2 loss to San Diego, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Wood was able to escape jams in the second and fourth innings while permitting a single run but was removed at 86 pitches following an Austin Nola fifth-inning long ball. The 31-year-old lefty tossed 52 of 86 pitches for strikes and will look to get in the win column against Cleveland on Sunday.