MLB Player News

Meyer will pitch once a week for Triple-A Jacksonville and will be limited to three-inning outings as the Marlins target a potential return to the big-league rotation in the second half, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander appears more than ready to handle big-league hitters after posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through three starts and 17 innings for the Marlins to begin the season, but Meyer didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and tossed only 67 innings in 2022 across all levels. As a result, his 2024 workload was always going to be carefully monitored by the organization. Manager Skip Schumaker indicated this week that the club has no set date in mind yet for Meyer's return from Triple-A, but it could depend on the health and the performance of the team's other rotation options as much as Meyer's own numbers for Jacksonville.

Garrett (shoulder) played catch from 90 feet Friday, Isaac Azout of SBNation.com reports.

If he has no issues with his arm following the throwing session, Garrett will likely get a bullpen session in before Miami considers a date for his 2024 debut. The 26-year-old left-hander, who missed most of spring training with a sore shoulder, is now dealing with a dead arm phase after tossing 86 pitches for Triple-A Jacksonville last Friday in what appeared to be his final rehab start. There's still a chance he could join the Marlins' rotation before the end of the month.

Francis (2-2) picked up the win Friday against the Padres, allowing one hit and one walk over two scoreless relief innings. He struck out two.

After a brutal start to the season in the rotation, Francis has looked much more comfortable back in a long-relief role and has been credited with wins in back-to-back appearances while piggybacking with Yariel Rodriguez. Francis still carries an awful 9.95 ERA and 1.82 WHIP through 12.2 innings, but his 17:7 K:BB highlights his potential if he can get his control and command issues sorted out.

Strider suggested Friday that he could be back on a mound early next season after doctors found that his ligament was in "surprisingly good" shape during surgery, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander indicated that the internal bracing procedure he underwent last week ended up being necessary because of a loose bone fragment in his elbow that had developed over the last couple years. "That's what destabilized the ligament," Strider said. Atlanta will likely be cautious with its ace's recovery, but the fact that he avoided Tommy John surgery and the relatively positive news about the state of his ligament are strong signs that he could still have significant fantasy value in 2025.

Schmidt came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 win over the Rays, allowing one run on seven hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander blanked Tampa Bay for five frames before Richie Palacios tagged him for a solo shot in the sixth. Schmidt exited the game in line for a loss before the Yankees rallied for five runs in the seventh. He generated a massive 37 called or swinging strikes among his 102 pitches, but Schmidt is still looking to iron out some efficiency issues as he hasn't completed six innings in any of his four starts so far in 2024. He'll take a 3.15 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 20 innings into his next outing, which lines up to be a juicy home matchup against the A's next week.

The Padres plan to recall Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in San Diego.

Acquired from the Yankees over the offseason, Vasquez failed to make the Padres' Opening Day roster but will get a chance to make his San Diego debut this weekend. He'll be joining the rotation as a replacement for Yu Darvish (neck), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Through three starts at El Paso in 2024, Vasquez has pitched to a 7.94 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings.

Gore (2-1) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings as the Nationals were downed 5-3 by the Astros. He struck out four.

The southpaw needed 92 pitches (64 strikes) to record his 12 outs, and all the damage off Gore came in the second inning when Houston led off the frame with back-to-back-to-back doubles. It was Gore's shortest outing so far in 2024, and he'll take a 3.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB through 20 innings into his next start, which lines up for a tough home tilt against the Dodgers next week.

Verlander (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The 41-year-old right-hander didn't look like a pitcher who had missed the first three-plus weeks of the season on the IL due to shoulder trouble. Verlander fired 50 of 78 pitches for strikes, and his two fastest pitches of the night - 95.0 and 94.9 mph four-seamers to Jesse Winker - came against the final batter he faced. The Astros will likely keep a careful eye on his workload, but Verlander looks ready to step into his usual role at the top of the rotation. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound next week on the road against the Cubs.

Priester (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits - including three home runs - and a walk over 4.1 innings as the Pirates were routed 8-1 by the Red Sox. He struck out two.

It's never a good sign for a pitcher when they have more homers allowed than strikeouts, and the first long ball he served up -- a solo shot by Wilyer Abreu in the first inning -- actually left PNC Park completely. Priester was making his 2024 debut for Pittsburgh on Friday, and after tossing 53 of 86 pitches for strikes, he could be headed back to Triple-A Indianapolis. If the 23-year-old righty sticks around, his next start will likely come at home next week against the Brewers.

Bello (3-1) picked up the win Friday, scattering one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings in an 8-1 rout of the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Bryan Reynolds made it to third base in the first inning after a walk and an error by Ceddanne Rafaela, but he was the only Pittsburgh runner to get past second against Bello. The right-hander retired the final 11 batters he faced in a dominant outing as he recorded his first quality start of 2024. He'll take a 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB through 26.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come in Cleveland next week.