MLB Player News

DeGrom (back) will be away from the team for the birth of his baby, but manager Terry Collins said that there are no immediate plans to place him on the paternity list, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

This doesn't change deGrom's outlook, as he was already expected to miss a start this week due to some lat tightness. Logan Verrett will slot into his spot in the rotation until deGrom returns and feels better.

Bergman is scheduled to start Thursday versus the Giants, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Although he's penciled in as the probable pitcher, the right-hander might not make the start if he's needed in relief before then. Bergman began the year as a long reliever, but he'll slot into the Rockies rotation while Jon Gray (abdomen) continues his rehab assignment. That being said, as long as everything goes as planned with Gray's rehab, this should be Bergman's only start in the near future. Bergman wasn't exactly stellar against the Giants last year, posting a 4.85 ERA and .358 BAA in 13 innings split between two starts and three relief appearances, so he still isn't much more than a streaming option in deeper leagues.

Gray (abdomen) pitched four innings in a rehab start with High-A Modesto on Sunday, giving up two runs on four hits, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Gray pitched decently in his rehab appearance, but more importantly, he came out of the outing healthy. He's expected to make one more rehab appearance, but then he'll rejoin the Rockies rotation in place of Christian Bergman, who's scheduled to make a spot start for him Thursday.

Gonzales may need surgery on his ailing left elbow, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gonzales began experiencing discomfort several weeks ago and the problem does not appear to be going away. It would certainly be a tough break for the talented 24-year-old.

Cueto was hit hard by the Dodgers on Sunday, as he allowed six runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks across seven innings. He struck out eight and was handed the win with nine runs of support.

The veteran failed to follow up after a stellar season debut, although he did only allow one extra-base hit and threw roughly 70% strikes. The fact that the offense was able to bail Cueto out bodes well for his chances of racking up some wins this season, so long as starts such as Sunday's are few and far between. He will take the hill against the Dodgers once again on Saturday in L.A.

Perez lasted just 4.2 innings Sunday, allowing three four runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Fortunately for him, Adam Wainwright was having just as much trouble finding the strike zone as Perez was. The Braves don't have many other options for their rotation at the moment, but Perez will need to pitch better than this if he wants to stick around. His next chance to try and firm up his spot will come Friday in Miami.

Wainwright came away with a no-decision Sunday, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks over five innings while striking out two.

It was a very un-Wainwright-like outing, as he threw just 52 of 87 pitches for strikes. There's still plenty of time for him to turn things around, but a 6.55 ERA and 5:8 K:BB in 11 innings weren't exactly what anyone was expecting. He'll next take the mound Saturday, at home against the Reds.

Melville needed 92 pitches to get through four innings in his major league debut Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out five.

Some jitters are understandable, but Melville may have pitched just well enough to stay in the rotation if Anthony DeSclafani (oblique) isn't recovered in time to take his next turn. That start would come Friday in St. Louis, though, so if Melville does get the nod, his prospects for a win or at least a quality outing don't appear to be all that good.

DeSclafani (oblique) isn't guaranteed to make his next start, which was pushed back five days until April 15, the Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

Keep in mind that this is pretty normal for oblique injuries - it's very difficult to pinpoint a return date. So DeSclafani's status isn't necessarily that he had a setback, more that the tools that we have to predict his return are unrefined with this injury.

DeGrom's lat tightness has improved but not sufficiently enough for him to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Marlins, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

DeGrom will be replaced by Logan Verrett in the rotation but there are no plans now for deGrom to be placed on the disabled list. If the tightness doesn't dissipate during the week, a stint of the disabled list may be in order.