MLB Player News

The Phillies placed Suarez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to low-back stiffness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez has resumed throwing on flat ground as he overcomes a back issue but is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season. Taijuan Walker will occupy a spot in the Philadelphia rotation until Suarez is ready to make his 2025 debut.

Gray (illness) will make his scheduled Opening Day start Thursday against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gray dealt with the flu for a week that sapped him of some strength and might have contributed to his decreased velocity this spring. However, he's feeling better and has been cleared to take the ball for the opener. The veteran right-hander held a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 28 starts during his first season in St. Louis in 2024.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kopech (shoulder) is "sort of in a holding pattern" with his throwing, per MLB.com.

Kopech is dealing with a right shoulder impingement and will open the campaign on the injured list. He had been throwing bullpen sessions as of early March, but given Roberts' comments, it's unclear what the righty reliever's throwing program looks like at the moment. Kopech notched six regular-season saves for Los Angeles after being acquired from the White Sox in late July last year, but he's been slated for a setup role when healthy this season with newcomer Tanner Scott expected to work as the Dodgers' primary closer.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Gonsolin (back) is "progressing nicely" in this throwing program, per MLB.com.

Gonsolin was competing for a rotation spot for much of spring training, but he injured his back while lifting weights in early March and will open the season on the injured list. Meanwhile, Dustin May will begin the campaign as the Dodgers' fifth starter. Gonsolin doesn't seem to be dealing with a long-term issue, but it's unclear what his role will be upon his return. The right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Jones was diagnosed with a UCL sprain to the right elbow Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates initially announced the injury as soreness, but Todd Tomcyzk, the team's director of sports medicine, delivered the full diagnosis Wednesday. He further elaborated that the ligament is stable, which has allowed Jones to avoid surgery for the time being. The announcement doesn't appear to change Jones' timeline to return as he'll still be shut down from throwing for six weeks, though there's a chance he will begin a two-handed plyo program in roughly three weeks.

Darvish (elbow) played light catch Wednesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday marks the first time Darvish has done any sort of throwing since being shut down last week with inflammation in his right elbow. He's set to be placed on the injured list before the Padres' regular-season opener Thursday, and a clearer timeline for the veteran righty's return may emerge once he's cleared to resume mound work.

The Diamondbacks placed Montgomery (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Montgomery is set to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, which will end his 2025 season before it even starts and will likely force him to miss part of the 2026 season. The Diamondbacks will award his spot on the 40-man roster to lefty Jalen Beeks, who signed a one-year deal with the club. Montgomery is scheduled for free agency after the season.

The Nationals placed Cavalli (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to March 24.

The right-hander is nearing the final stages of his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in May 2023, with a period of "dead arm" last summer delaying his return. Cavalli's last significant action came at Triple-A Rochester in 2022, when he had a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 104:39 K:BB across 97 innings.

The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

The right-hander entered camp on the fringes of Washington's rotation competition, but he began transitioning to a multi-inning relief role in mid-March. Rutledge allowed three earned runs with a 9:2 K:BB over 8.1 big-league innings last year, but he spent most of the campaign at Rochester, where he had a 6.40 ERA in 27 starts.

The Nationals transferred Herz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Herz was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his left elbow Tuesday, which typically leads to season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old southpaw may attempt to rehab the injury before resorting to surgery, but he's due for an extended absence either way. He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Brad Lord, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester.