MLB Player News

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Monday that Kirby (shoulder) "felt great" while throwing a bullpen session over the weekend, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby is set to throw two more bullpen sessions this week before beginning a game progression. While Hollander wouldn't divulge a timetable for when the right-hander will be ready for his season debut, signs are pointing to it being sometime in May. Kirby was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation back on March 7 but has made steady progress since then.

Kershaw (toe/knee) said Monday that his arm is "ready to go," but his surgically repaired left big toe "isn't all the way there," David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The veteran lefty also had offseason surgery on his left knee, but it sounds like the toe is the bigger obstacle he needs to overcome. Kershaw faced hitters at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Arizona last Thursday and will do so again this Thursday. He is already on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible to return until late May. There is no timetable for Kershaw's season debut.

The Athletics transferred Basso (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

As a result of the transaction, Basso won't be eligible to make his 2025 debut with the Athletics until late May. According to MLB.com, Basso had been taking part in a throwing program by the end of spring training, but it's not yet clear if he's reached the point in his rehab where he's throwing bullpen sessions or facing hitters. Basso will eventually head out on a rehab assignment and could need most of the 30-day window to get stretched back out for a starting role. The 27-year-old lefty reached the majors for the first time last season, making seven appearances (four starts) for the Athletics while turning in a 4.03 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB in 22.1 innings.

The Athletics selected Alexander's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Alexander will provide length out of the bullpen after the Athletics leaned heavily on their relievers to cover innings during their weekend series at Coors Field. The 32-year-old previously made 18 appearances at the major-league level in 2022 with the Brewers, collecting a 5.40 ERA and 46:28 K:BB over 71.2 frames.

The Athletics optioned Estes to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Estes was pummeled for 12 runs over seven innings of work in his two starts, and it has cost him his spot in the rotation and on the roster. The Athletics have not revealed who will replace Estes in the rotation, but Mitch Spence is an obvious candidate.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Wrobleski will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Wrobleski and Landon Knack will both join the Dodgers this week to fill the two openings in the rotation caused by Blake Snell (shoulder) landing on the 15-day injured list and by the team electing to add a sixth starter to the mix. The 24-year-old lefty previously made eight appearances (six starts) for the Dodgers in 2024, going 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA,1.38 WHIP and 26:16 K:BB across 36.1 innings. Wrobleski was sharp in his lone outing for Oklahoma City this season, striking out three over 5.2 scoreless innings last Tuesday.

The Astros transferred Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Logan VanWey, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land. Garcia's timetable is unchanged as a result of the transaction, as he will remain shut down from throwing until early May and isn't on pace to be ready to handle a starting role for the Astros until at least early June.

Scherzer resumed playing catch Monday but said that he's still experiencing "lingering tightness" from the cortisone shot he received in his injured right thumb, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Scherzer is working his way back from thumb inflammation, an issue that first surfaced in spring training before he suffered an aggravation March 29 in his season debut. Monday marked the first time he threw since receiving two cortisone shots in his thumb last week, but he'll need more time to recover before his next throwing session. The Blue Jays have yet to provide a definitive timeline for Scherzer's return.

Snell revealed Monday that he had been dealing with left shoulder inflammation for the past three weeks before landing on the injured list Sunday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Snell thought he could pitch through the issue and that it would eventually subside, but he was unable to get through his last bullpen session, necessitating an IL move. The southpaw hopes to miss only a couple weeks of action, but it would not be a surprise if the Dodgers exercise more caution with their $182 million investment. Los Angeles will expand its rotation to six men this week, and Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack are expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the two openings Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Bruns is recovering from a back injury in extended spring training, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.

He will be assigned to an affiliate once cleared. Bruns has failed to make significant improvements to his below-average command since entering pro ball and walked 15.6 percent of batters at High-A last year.