MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that he expects Steele (hamstring) to miss the entire month of April, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Steele was officially diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain Saturday, and the Cubs will hold off on starting his throwing program until he is able to walk without limping. An exact timetable for the left-hander's return will likely have to wait until he starts throwing again, but Counsell noted that he expects Steele to rejoin the rotation sometime during May. In the meantime, his spot appears set to go to Ben Brown, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The plan for Monday's batting practice is for Verlander to throw three innings and around 50 pitches. If that goes well, the veteran right-hander would begin his rehab assignment as he works his way back to the Astros' rotation.

Gipson-Long (groin) will throw in a simulated game Tuesday in Lakeland, Fla., Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long has been battling a left groin strain he sustained in the first week of spring training. He was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, and he will participate in his first simulated game Tuesday. Gipson-Long made four starts for the Tigers towards the end of the 2023 season, finishing 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 20 innings.

The Cubs recalled Brown from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Justin Steele (hamstring) headed for the injured list, Brown will come up from Triple-A for his first look in the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander turned in a 5.33 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 72.2 innings with Iowa last season, but his impressive spring inspired enough confidence from the Cubs to slot him into the Cubs' rotation as Steele's replacement. Brown could make his MLB debut at home against the Rockies on Tuesday.

Urquidy (forearm) played catch Friday, marking the first time he's done so since his injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy was removed from a minor-league game March 15 due to a right forearm strain, and he was placed on the team's 15-day injured list March 28. The plan is for Urquidy to play catch again Sunday while the team monitors him.

The Cubs placed Steele on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to March 29, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele had to leave Thursday's season opener after injuring his hamstring while fielding a bunt attempt. He will be eligible to return from the IL on April 13, but it remains unclear whether or not Steele will need to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf. Ben Brown will come up from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and could fill the void in the Cubs' rotation.

Gausman will start Sunday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays were debating whether to start Gausman or Bowden Francis on Sunday. Gausman convinced the team that he is good to go by fanning seven over three-plus innings in a Grapefruit League game Monday, then completing a bullpen session Friday. That means Francis will move back to Monday's series opener in Houston. A bout of shoulder fatigue disrupted Gausman's spring training, but he progressed quickly enough to avoid the injured list to open 2024, and it looks like he will have a full first half to make his case for a third All-Star selection in four years.

Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Saturday marked the first time Walker has thrown off a mound since he landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the right-hander is scheduled throw another session during the week and that the team will likely take Walker's rehab program slowly.

Means (forearm) will begin his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Means didn't pitch in spring training, so he'll continue ramping up in the minors. He had a flare-up with his surgically repaired left elbow in October, putting him behind in the spring. Means is likely to need just about all of his 30-day rehab window to get up to speed, so his major-league season debut should be expected in mid-to-late April if he avoids setbacks.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey revealed Saturday that DeSclafani will be out for the season after undergoing flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The silver lining is that DeSclafani did not undergo Tommy John surgery, but the right-hander will be sidelined for the season. DeSclafani experienced right elbow soreness at the beginning of March, and while he was able to throw some bullpen sessions and a minor-league game, he will ultimately not play in 2024. Louie Varland is now cemented as the Twins' fifth starting pitcher.