MLB Player News

Martinez (shoulder) is throwing from 120 feet and could resume mound work next week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Martinez has returned to St. Louis to continue his rehab work as he appears to be nearing the latter stages of throwing on flat ground. The 27-year-old still has no official timeline for his return, while the team is expected to decide in mid-April whether he will work in a starting or relief role.

Fried (1-0) picked up the win against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up just one hit over six strong innings, striking out striking out five and walking none in a 9-4 win for the Braves.

Fried drew the start Thursday after making two relief appearances to start the season, and was brilliant, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning as he and the Braves cruised to victory. Fried also posted a solid 2.94 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 33.2 innings in five starts and nine relief appearances last season. If he continues to pitch well, he could make a case to remain a starter even when Kevin Gausman (shoulder) and Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) make their returns from the injured list.

Darvish (0-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks across four innings to take the loss Thursday against the Braves, He struck out two.

Darvish actually looked OK through four innings, but the wheels came off for the righty and his bullpen mates in the fifth. He started the frame by allowing a double and a walk before getting the hook with the Cubs down 1-0. Two Chicago relievers then combined to allow both inherited runners to score, along with three others. Darvish lasted longer than his first start of the season, in which he was pulled after 2.2 innings, but that's about the only silver lining here. The 32-year-old has walked 11 batters through 6.2 innings this season to go with an 8.10 ERA, and he looks like anything but a staff ace at this point. Darvish will look to get on track in his next start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Mahle didn't factor into the decision against the Pirates on Thursday despite a strong outing that saw him give up five hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out five with no walks as the Reds fell 2-0.

It was a sterling outing from the right-hander, but he wasn't provided any run support and was forced to settle for the no-decision. It was an encouraging start, but Mahle posted a subpar 4.98 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in his 112 innings last year, so he'd need to string a few outings like this together in order to demonstrate he's moved past those struggles. Perhaps his biggest issue last season was conceding too many long balls, as opponents cranked 22 off him in his 23 starts.

Lyles didn't factor into the decision against the Reds on Thursday, scattering three hits over five innings while striking out two and walking three as the Pirates won 2-0.

Lyles posted a solid line after getting activated from the injured list ahead of this start, but was removed after tossing 80 pitches with the contest still scoreless, costing him a chance at grabbing the win. He posted a 4.11 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 87.2 innings between the Brewers and the Padres last season, and is currently slated to take the hill next against the Cubs on the road Thursday.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw 4.1 innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking two while throwing 61 pitches, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw got off to a shaky start, allowing a home run and walking two against the first five batters he faced, but he was able to limit the damage to two earned, and hit the 60-pitch benchmark the team had set for him in his first rehab appearance. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that he was leaning toward having Kershaw make one more start for Oklahoma City as he works his way toward rejoining the big club.

Gonsolin will open the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

He dealt with an illness at the end of spring training, but is listed as healthy to begin the minor-league season. Gonsolin can touch triple digits with his fastball, and it's interesting that he will get the Triple-A nod while Dustin May heads back to Double-A. Both pitchers are expected to contribute in the majors at some point this season, but based on these assignments, Gonsolin will probably get there first.

Lugo allowed two runs on two hits while recording just one out in Thursday's loss to the Nationals.

Lugo has now allowed nine runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks through four appearances (3.2 innings) to open the season. According to Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record, the right-hander has been battling an illness recently, which along with his usage -- he's thrown 105 pitches over the last week -- is believed to be part of the reason for his early-season struggles. Lugo was stellar for the Mets last season (2.66 ERA and 103:28 K:BB in 101.1 innings) and figures to occupy a key bullpen role again, so long as he can smooth out the kinks.

Syndergaard (0-1) allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out six across six innings during a loss to the Nationals on Thursday.

The big right-hander gave up a run in the second despite not yielding a hit because of two walks, a wild pitch and a safety squeeze bunt. Syndergaard continued his no-hitter into the sixth, but then lost it on a solo home run from Victor Robles. Those were the only hits and runs he allowed. Syndergaard pitched well enough to win, but the Mets' offense simply didn't provide any support. He is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings this season. His next start will probably be against the Braves.

Gowdy is listed as healthy for Low-A Lakewood, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Gowdy received a first-round caliber bonus after being selected with the No. 42 overall pick in 2016, but he has pitched just nine pro innings since then, largely due to Tommy John surgery he underwent in August of 2017. He has missed a pretty dangerous amount of developmental time, but it's possible that the talent that netted him a $3.5 million bonus in 2016 will finally shine through now that he is fully healthy.