MLB Player News

Matz (back) played catch off the mound Friday in St. Louis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz has been on the 15-day injured list since May 3 while dealing with a lower-back strain, more specifically a protruding disc, but manager Oli Marmol said Friday that the expectation for the left-hander is for him to throw at a higher intensity Monday. It's unclear how close Matz is to returning to game action, but prior to being activated from the injured list, he'll likely have to make at least one rehab start with a minor-league affiliate.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Taillon was scratched from Friday's start against the Pirates due to back stiffness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Taillon felt his back tighten up Tuesday when playing catch, and it didn't improve in time for him to make his scheduled start in the series opener. Counsell noted that the right-hander's back issue is not as bad as the one he dealt with in spring training, which caused Taillon to start the season on the 15-day IL. He will be re-evaluated Saturday, and there's a chance he could take the mound Sunday. Javier Assad will start Friday while Justin Steele will get the nod Saturday.

Rodriguez (back) was playing catch out to 90 feet Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez seems to be progressing well after being placed on the 15-day IL with thoracic spine inflammation April 30. While he'll be eligible to return May 14, it seems as though Rodriguez will need more time before being reinstated.

The Pirates acquired Jefferies from the Giants on Friday in exchange for Rodolfo Nolasco, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Jefferies had been designated for assignment after allowing nine earned runs on 14 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings during his brief time with the Giants. It was his first stint in the big leagues since 2022, as he missed all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Jefferies figures to join the rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Brewers selected Gasser's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Gasser is set to make his major-league debut Friday against the Cardinals. The left-hander began the season on the injured list at Nashville with an elbow issue before returning to post a 5.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 12 innings. He threw 78 pitches in his last outing, so Gasser would seem prepared to throw 90 or so Friday. He could head back to Nashville after this start, but a good performance might keep him in the rotation for another turn or two until DL Hall (knee) returns from the IL.

Falter will start Sunday's game against the Cubs, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Paul Skenes will come up to make his major-league debut Saturday, which has thrown the rotation statuses of Falter and Quinn Priester into question. While Falter will take the ball Sunday, manager Derek Shelton wasn't ready to commit to how his rotation will look after that. Falter has a 4.34 ERA and 26:9 K:BB over 37.1 innings covering seven starts this season.

Taillon won't start Friday in Pittsburgh, as the Cubs list Javier Assad as their starter for the series opener versus the Pirates, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The late change perhaps hints that Taillon may be tending to an injury. The decision to have Assad take the hill for the series opener instead wouldn't seem to be the result of any dissatisfaction with Taillon's performance, as the 32-year-old has opened his second season with the Cubs with a 3-0 record, 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 24 innings. Justin Steele will take the hill on four days' rest to start Saturday, while the Cubs are listing their starter for Sunday's series finale as "TBA." More clarity on Chicago's plans for Sunday -- as well as when Taillon might next pitch -- could come prior to Friday's contest.

The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Leiter was up as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Athletics and got rocked for six runs (four earned) over four innings. Because he was the designated 27th man, the 15-day rule doesn't apply to Leiter, so he'll remain an option to make a start next week versus the Guardians.

Detmers (3-4) was hit with the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

Detmers cruised through the first two innings before the first four batters got on base to open the third, eventually leading to four runs. He was touched up again in the fifth, marking his third consecutive outing in which he's allowed at least five runs. Surprisingly, the lefty has still managed to get through at least five innings in all eight of his starts this season despite his recent struggles, though he's lost four straight outings.

Wacha (2-4) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over six-plus innings. He struck out six.

Wacha produced three 1-2-3 innings and mostly avoided trouble up until the seventh, when he allowed three runs to come across. The right-hander issued a season-high five walks, with the latter two pushing runs home for Los Angeles. However, Wacha was still able to produce his first quality start since April 17 while recording his first win since April 6, both against the White Sox. He carries an 8.38 ERA in May (two starts), posting a 9:6 K:BB in 9.2 innings.