MLB Player News

Rodriguez (1-2) struck out nine and earned the win Thursday in a 6-4 victory over Miami after giving up three runs (one earned) on 10 hits and no walks over 5.1 innings.

A pair of errors led to two unearned runs for the Marlins, which was fortunate for Rodriguez's line given how many baserunners he allowed. The left-hander didn't issue a walk for the first time this season, but he still exhibited some shaky control with a pair of wild pitches. Rodriguez surrendered seven runs in his first two starts of the season but has settled in during his past two outings with just three earned runs, though the 16 hits he's allowed remain a concern.

Rodriguez (elbow) was scratched from a scheduled bullpen session Thursday and sent for imaging due to right shoulder soreness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The injury is separate from the elbow/triceps issue that's kept Rodriguez out all season. It's an especially worrisome setback given that the right-hander missed nearly the final two months of last season with a right lat strain. The Orioles should be able to provide more information on Rodriguez's status after the MRI results come back, but certainly he's not going to be rejoining the big-league rotation anytime soon.

Skenes is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Guardians at PNC Park.

Not only will Skenes be taking the hill for his bobblehead night, but he'll also be pitching on four days' rest for the first time in the big leagues and for the first time at any level since 2023. Though Skenes doesn't have any history of arm problems, the Pirates have deliberately built in extra rest between starts for the 22-year-old in an effort to preserve his health. The Pirates are still likely to add a sixth starter to the mix during particularly busy portions of the schedule to give Skenes and the other members of the rotation more recovery time between outings, but a four-day rest period should eventually become the norm for the star right-hander as he matures.

Dobbins will be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday's game against the White Sox, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated previously that Dobbins was the likely choice to pitch Friday, and that is indeed the direction the team will go in. The 25-year-old was charged with two runs over five innings in his major-league debut versus the Cardinals earlier this month. With Brayan Bello (shoulder) due back next week, this will be a spot start for Dobbins.

Lopez (hamstring) will make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Lopez got through a 31-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without any issues with his right hamstring, clearing the path for him to make a rehab start. It should be the only one he needs before rejoining the Twins' rotation, which can happen as soon as April 24 against the White Sox.

The Dodgers optioned Miller to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Miller's season debut Wednesday probably didn't play out the way he had hoped, as he surrendered six earned runs on eight hits and a walk across three innings, though he did collect seven strikeouts. The 26-year-old's poor showing will earn him a ticket back to Oklahoma City, freeing up a roster spot for Evan Phillips (shoulder) to make his return from the injured list over the weekend.

Cavalli (elbow) worked up to 35 pitches in a simulated game last Tuesday, and the Nationals will have him go through a normal spring training progression over the next month before determining whether he's ready to come off the injured list, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

"We don't want to rush things and get back to the point where we're hurting. So it's just going to be a really good build up," Cavalli said Friday while visiting the team's clubhouse during a series in Miami. "Hopefully, everything keeps responding how it is. I know they have a great plan. The staff is unbelievable and they have it set up to where I can get back fully healthy, ready to go help the club." Cavalli hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery performed in March 2023, but the Nats are hoping the 26-year-old right-hander can be a factor in the big-league rotation at some point in the second half this season.

The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Seattle optioned reliever Will Klein to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Hancock, who will begin his second stint of the season with the big club. With George Kirby (shoulder) opening the season on the injured list, Hancock broke camp as the Mariners' No. 5 starter but was sent back to Triple-A after getting lit up for six earned runs while retiring just two batters in his lone start March 31 versus the Tigers. The Mariners then turned to Luis F. Castillo to fill the fifth spot in the rotation, but Seattle will go back to Hancock after Castillo found little success through his two starts before being optioned to Triple-A. Hancock delivered strong results at Tacoma following his demotion, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 9.2 innings.

Oviedo (lat/elbow) is throwing from 75 feet, MLB.com reports.

Oviedo had a recent check-up with doctors after being shut down with a lat injury this spring. The Pirates didn't make an official announcement, but the findings were apparently positive, as he has resumed throwing. Oviedo isn't eligible to return from the injured list until late May, though it's unclear if he'll be ready for game action at that point.

Suarez (back) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven in four innings during his second minor-league rehab start Wednesday for Single-A Clearwater, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez was sharp, tossing 39 of his 54 pitches for strikes. It's unclear how many more rehab appearances the left-hander will need during his recovery from back stiffness, but the Phillies would figure to want him to be stretched out further than the 50-pitch range. Suarez will likely make at least one more start in the minors before Philadelphia considers activating him from the injured list, but he's still on track to rejoin the rotation before the end of April.