Strider (oblique) will throw a bullpen session in Phoenix on Friday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Strider has been sidelined with an oblique strain for a couple weeks, and Friday's session will be a significant test for where he's at in his recovery. The right-hander is eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, but he will likely require at least one minor-league rehab start, making a potential return on that date unattainable. More information on his path ahead should be provided following the bullpen session.

Avila will draw the start on the mound Friday against the Brewers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Avila was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, and he will now be tasked with taking the bump in the Royals' series opener against Milwaukee on Friday. The right-hander will replace Michael Wacha (illness) on the mound as Wacha is dealing with an apparent illness. Avila posted 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 14 innings in 13 appearances with Kansas City in 2025, and Friday's start will be his first as a major leaguer.

Wacha (illness) will be forced to miss his scheduled start Friday against the Brewers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Wacha is dealing with an apparent illness and as a result will now have his turn skipped in the Royals' rotation. The 34-year-old will shift his sights on being ready to go for his next tentative turn on the mound in Cleveland next week. In the meantime, Kansas City recalled Luinder Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, and he's expected to toe the rubber in the team's series opener against Milwaukee at home Friday.

Lodolo (blister) exited his minor-league rehab start with Single-A Daytona on Thursday in the third inning, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo was looking to move past the blister on his left index finger by making one start with Single-A Daytona, but the blister reared its ugly head with two outs in the top of the third, forcing the southpaw out of the contest. The hope was that the 28-year-old would be able to return to the Reds in the coming days, but that now appears to be unlikely. Lodolo retired all eight batters he faced in order Thursday, striking out four in the process, and he finished having thrown just 40 pitches when he was scheduled to throw between 60 and 65.

The Giants placed Butto on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm fatigue, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Butto made an early exit from his appearance against the Padres on Wednesday due to a forearm issue, and he'll now spend at least the next couple of weeks on the injured list getting his forearm back to full strength. Blade Tidwell will come up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Butto's place in the bullpen.

The Rockies recalled Bellozo from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

With Jose Quintana (hamstring) headed for the injured list, the Rockies will call upon Bellozo to fill the void in their starting rotation. The 26-year-old failed to make the Opening Day roster after posting a 6.32 ERA in the Cactus League, and he got off to a poor start in Triple-A by allowing three runs in three innings during his first outing with the Isotopes. It appears Bellozo will work out of the bullpen with Chase Dollander expected to start or work as a primary pitcher in place of Quintana on Saturday.

The Rockies placed Quintana on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right hamstring strain, retroactive to Monday.

Quintana allowed two earned runs over 4.1 innings during his Rockies debut on Sunday, but he appears to have come away from his start with a hamstring injury. He'll miss his next couple of turns through the rotation as a result, though it remains unknown if he'll need more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. Valente Bellozo was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move and figures to take Quintana's place in the rotation.

The Royals recalled Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Avila turned in a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 14 innings in the big leagues last season and will now join the big club for the first time this year. He made it through just three innings during his first start of the season in Triple-A, so he likely isn't stretched out enough to join Kansas City's rotation and therefore figures to act as a multi-inning reliever for the Royals.

Lodolo (blister) is scheduled to throw between 60 and 65 pitches during Thursday's rehab start for Single-A Daytona, MLB.com reports.

If all goes well, Lodolo could rejoin the Reds during a four-game series against the Marlins that begins Monday. He was bothered by a blister late in spring training that eventually forced him to the 15-day injured list to open the regular season.

Sanchez didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while fanning seven across 5.1 innings.

Sanchez finished just two outs shy of recording what would've been a second consecutive quality start, but this outing represented some regression after his dominant showing on Opening Day. Still, Sanchez should remain a dependable arm at the top of the Phillies' rotation even if he has some command issues on occasion. Through his first 11.1 innings, Sanchez has 17 strikeouts while allowing just one run, so there are plenty of positives despite the four walks Wednesday. Sanchez tentatively lines up to take the mound next week against the Giants on the road.