MLB Player News

The Mariners placed Kirby (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Seattle hasn't provided any official updates on Kirby's status since he was placed on the IL last week, but the right-hander was able to resume his throwing program March 21 after he was briefly shut down due to shoulder inflammation. Kirby is eligible to return from the IL next Tuesday, but he looks like he'll need more time beyond that to complete his throwing progression and get fully stretched out for starting duty. Emerson Hancock secured a spot in the Mariners' Opening Day rotation as a result of Kirby's injury.

Giolito (hamstring) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Giolito is one of two injured Red Sox starters heading out on a rehab assignment with Worcester this week, as Brayan Bello (shoulder) is slated to pitch Tuesday. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Giolito is expected to cover around three innings Wednesday, and he'll likely make two more rehab starts after that before being activated from the 15-day injured list. The right-hander looks on pace to rejoin the rotation in the second half of April.

Atlanta selected Thompson's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta is in need of a reliever capable of eating innings and Thompson is a theoretical fit since he totaled nine frames in two Grapefruit League appearances. The 31-year-old missed the entirety of the 2024 season while recovering from flexor tendon surgery and hasn't pitched in the big league since 2022.

The Rockies placed Criswell (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Criswell is slated to miss the entire 2025 season and likely the early part of the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery March 14. He'll likely be shifted to the 60-day IL later on in the season when Colorado needs to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for another player.

Gomber (shoulder) struck out five batters and allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

While tending to a sore left shoulder in spring training, Gomber didn't have enough time to get fully stretched out in advance of the Rockies' season opener and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, but he was cleared to take the hill for Colorado's Triple-A affiliate on Opening Day. He tossed 66 pitches (39 strikes) in the rehab start, so he may need just one more tune-up outing with the Triple-A club Wednesday before getting the green light to return from the IL next week.

The Yankees transferred Brubaker (rib) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Brubaker has yet to make his Yankees debut since being acquired from the Pirates last March, as he missed the entire 2024 season while completing his recovery from April 2023 Tommy John surgery. He appeared poised to come off the IL after the All-Star break last season, but an oblique strain suffered during his rehab assignment thwarted those plans. Brubaker then returned to full health in advance of spring training, only to get drilled by a line drive in his first Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 21 and sustaining three rib fractures on his left side. The right-hander has yet to resume baseball activities since suffering the injury, so the Yankees were comfortable moving him to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Adam Ottavino. Brubaker won't be eligible to return from the IL until late May.

Elbis was placed on Double-A Amarillo's injured list with an undisclosed injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Elbis saw an uptick in velocity late in 2024, which can sometimes be the precursor for arm injuries, but it's unclear what his exact injury is or how long he'll be out. The 22-year-old righty logged a 3.39 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 135.1 innings split between High-A and Double-A in 2024.

The Pirates will call up Harrington to make his major-league debut Tuesday against the Rays, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Harrington was beat out by Carmen Mlodzinski for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation, but his first start this season will wind up coming in the big leagues. The 23-year-old collected a 2.61 ERA and 115:19 K:BB over 117.1 innings across three levels in the minors last season. Harrington is known more for his command and control than his ability to miss bats, but he did show a little velocity uptick this spring. It might be just a spot start for the young righty, but if he impresses it's possible he'll be kept in the rotation over Mlodzinski.

Estes (0-1) allowed six runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings Monday to take the loss against the Cubs.

Estes had the honor of starting the Athletics' first home game in Sacramento, but he was unable to turn in a good outing. Chicago tagged him for three long balls, two of which came in a four-run first inning. Estes also struggled with his control, throwing just 49 of 85 pitches for strikes and issuing four free passes. He narrowly won a spot over Mitch Spence in the team's rotation following a poor performance during spring training, so Estes will likely need to show considerable improvement moving forward to stick as a big-league starter.

Rea earned a save against the Athletics on Monday, pitching three scoreless innings during which he gave up four hits and struck out one batter.

Rea had a 16-3 cushion when he entered in the seventh inning, so he didn't experience much pressure. Still, the veteran righty looked good on the mound, yielding just four singles over four scoreless frames. Rea lost out to Monday's starter Ben Brown for a season-opening spot in Chicago's rotation, and he doesn't figure to see many more save chances since he'll likely work mostly in middle and long relief.