MLB Player News

Fried (hamstring) will face hitters in a live batting practice session or simulated game Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Fried threw off a mound Monday, though it was apparently not live batting practice as previously reported. He could be in line to start in Washington next week if he gets through Thursday's session without setbacks.

Soroka (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the injured list until June, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Just as he appeared to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from the ruptured Achilles' tendon he sustained last summer, Soroka had his throwing program shut down earlier this month after he experienced shoulder discomfort. Soroka should resume playing catch in the near future since a recent MRI cleared him of any structural damage to his shoulder, but he'll essentially still need to complete a spring-training throwing progression all over again following his shutdown. Since Soroka is still more than a month away from making his debut, he might be tough to justify holding in leagues with limited reserve and IL spots.

Velasquez is in line to make a second straight turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Cardinals, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Velasquez started in place of Matt Moore (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) on Friday in Colorado, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision. Though Moore was activated from the IL on Monday, the Phillies plan to let the lefty get reconditioned while working out of the bullpen over the next several days before reinserting him into the rotation. It's conceivable that Moore may be called upon to piggyback Velasquez once the latter exits his start Wednesday.

Mahle allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings but didn't factor into the decision in the Reds' extra-inning win over the Dodgers on Monday.

Mahle had another solid outing with nothing to show for it in the end after Amir Garrett allowed the Dodgers' Corey Seager to tie the game with a two-run homer in the seventh. The righty's only blemish on the evening was an RBI single by Gavin Lux in the fourth. He's opened the 2021 campaign by allowing two runs or fewer in all five starts while posting a 1.40 ERA and a 36:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings. Mahle will look to continue his solid run at home against the Cubs on Sunday.

Urias allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings Monday against the Reds. He didn't factor into the decision in the eventual extra-inning loss.

Urias walked the opening batter of the game but went on to retire nine straight before running into some trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. He allowed consecutive hits to open the fourth and couldn't stop the runners from scoring, then gave up another run in the fifth after struggling with his command a bit. He ended up avoiding the loss when Corey Seager tied the game in the seventh with a two-run homer. Urias will take a 3.23 ERA into his next scheduled start, a showdown against Corbin Burnes and the Brewers on Saturday.

DeSclafani (2-0) fired a complete-game three-hit shutout in a 12-0 win over the Rockies on Monday. He walked one batter and struck out a season-high nine in the effort.

DeSclafani's best performance in recent memory came on a night when the Giants piled on 12 runs. The 31-year-old didn't let his guard down despite having a 9-0 lead after two innings and went on to become the first Giants pitcher to throw a shutout in 100 pitches or fewer since Madison Bumgarner did it in 2014. The only hits he allowed were singles, and his nine strikeouts were the most he's had in a start since July 21, 2019. DeSclafani has had a remarkable beginning in a Giants uniform, as he now owns a 1.50 ERA and 30:7 K:BB over 30 innings to begin the year. He'll need to remain at the top of his game in a road matchup against the surging Padres on Sunday.

Gomber (1-3) allowed nine runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three over just 1.2 innings in a loss to the Giants on Monday.

Gomber surrendered just one hit over 6.1 innings against the Giants on April 9 but wasn't able to replicate that same success Monday. The 27-year-old recorded just five outs as he was rocked for seven hits while managing to throw only 34 of his 64 pitches for strikes. He gave up four runs in the opening frame and was charged with five more in the second after Jhoulys Chacin allowed all three inherited runners to score when he replaced Gomber with the bases loaded. The lefty currently leads all qualified pitchers with 19 walks over 23 total innings and now owns the second-worst qualifying ERA in baseball at 6.65. He'll look for a rebound performance Saturday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

Mikolas (shoulder) threw two innings at the Cardinals' alternate training site Sunday, the Associated Press reports.

The veteran right-hander's progress has been fairly deliberate, yet Sunday's activity level is certainly encouraging. Mikolas likely is still multiple weeks away from making his regular-season debut despite his recent progress, but the fact he's been free of setbacks for multiple weeks at this point is a bright spot.

Burnes (2-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over five innings Monday, striking out nine and taking the loss against Miami.

Burnes looked like his usual self for the first three innings, striking out five batters while allowing just one hit. He coughed up a run on a Corey Dickerson double in the fourth before falling apart in the sixth. The 6-foot-3 righty allowed five straight hits to open the inning before he was removed. On the bright side, he improved his perfect K:BB to an unbelievable 49:0 through 29.1 frames. Burnes will put his 1.53 ERA on the line at home against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Morton (2-1) picked up the win in Monday's 8-7 victory over the Cubs, coughing up five runs on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Atlanta handed the veteran right-hander a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Morton gave it all back in the top of the third by serving up a grand slam to Kris Bryant before his offense took the lead for good in the fifth. Morton threw only 53 of 89 pitches for strikes, and he'll take a 4.76 ERA and 33:10 K:BB through 28.1 innings into his next outing this weekend on the road against the Blue Jays.