MLB Player News

The Red Sox placed Bello (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he'll open the season on the shelf while he recovers from right forearm inflammation, Bello doesn't look as though he'll be in store for an extended absence. He tossed three innings in a minor-league spring game for Double-A Portland last Friday and should be ready to head out on a rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league regular season begins this weekend. Like Bello, fellow starting pitchers Garrett Whitlock (hip) and James Paxton (hamstring) are opening the season on the IL and are tracking toward similarly brief stays, so Bello may not be in line for a spot in the big-league rotation once he's formally activated.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

While he works his way back to full health following the right hip surgery he underwent last September, Whitlock will open the season on the shelf and miss his first turn through the rotation. Whitlock hasn't hit any snags in his recovery and most recently through a four-inning, 63-pitch outing in a minor-league game at spring training, so he already appears to be on his way to getting fully stretched out. He'll likely make a minor-league rehab start before coming off the IL when he's first eligible April 11 or shortly thereafter.

Grove was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Grove was optioned to OKC last week, with Ryan Pepiot initially claiming the final spot in the Dodgers' season-opening starting rotation, but Pepiot is now on the 15-day injured list because of a left oblique strain. Grove figures to start directly in Pepiot's place Monday against the visiting Rockies. The 26-year-old carries fantasy streaming appeal in that matchup.

Fried left Thursday's game against the Nationals in the fourth inning due to a left leg injury, Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

Fried grabbed his left leg while running to cover first base and appeared to tweak his hamstring. He was able to walk off on his own power, so it may not be too serious. The left-hander surrendered one run on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks over 3.1 innings prior to exiting with the injury. Lucas Luetge has taken over in relief for Atlanta.

Pepiot was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left oblique strain, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Pepiot had been lined up as the fill-in starter with Tony Gonsolin (ankle) sidelined to begin the season, but that assignment will now go to Michael Grove instead. The recovery time for an oblique strain can range from a couple of weeks to multiple months, and there's no word yet from the Dodgers about a Pepiot's recovery timetable.

McCullers (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Astros GM Dana Brown said earlier this week he wasn't sure if McCullers would begin the season on the 60-day IL, but the club is apparently content to put him on the 15-day IL for now. The right-hander is dealing with a low-grade forearm strain and isn't expected to be ready for game action until May, at the earliest.

Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Thursday with a right middle fingernail avulsion.

Blackburn returned to throwing off a mound a few days ago and might not miss much time. With the right-hander sidelined, the A's are rolling with youngster Kyle Muller on Opening Day.

The Mets will recall Megill from Triple-A Syracuse to have him start in place of Justin Verlander (shoulder) on Saturday at Miami, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Verlander is headed to the 15-day injured list after being diagnosed Thursday with a teres major strain, which opens up a rotation spot for Megill, who had been optioned out to Triple-A just before the end of spring training. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a rough 5.13 ERA over 47.1 major-league innings last season and also struggled this spring in the Grapefruit League.

The Red Sox placed Paxton (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Paxton has been pain-free for a while but will get a late start to the season. The veteran left-hander is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday and is on track for a mid-April return.

Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a low-grade teres major strain, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Verlander had been lined up to start the Mets' third regular-season game Saturday in Miami, but now he's at risk of missing much of April. Per an announcement from the club, the veteran right-hander will "continue throwing at moderate intensity" before undergoing new scans of his upper right arm next week. He inked a two-year, $86.67 million contract with New York over the winter. Tylor Megill will fill his spot in the rotation for the time being.