MLB Player News

Greinke (0-2) picked up the loss Monday after pitching six innings, surrendering one run on three hits while striking out one batter against the Cardinals.

Greinke was very effective in this one, limiting the Cardinals to just three baserunners, a season low for him. The only blemish on his line came with one out in the bottom of the first inning, when Paul Goldschmidt took him deep for a solo shot. Greinke has now rattled off five straight starts to open the season where he has allowed three runs or less. He also has posted two consecutive quality starts. He will not offer very much in the strikeout department with seven total on the year, but his 2.57 ERA and 0.96 WHIP suggest that he should be in line to start picking up some wins sooner rather than later.

Ashcraft has a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings at Triple-A Louisville, albeit with a 1.71 WHIP. He has 18 strikeouts, but has allowed 10 walks, 28 hits and nine unearned runs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

While it's natural to look for help from the minors to prop up the Reds' struggling rotation, Ashcraft isn't ready yet. "Graham Ashcraft is in Triple-A and not the big leagues because that's the best place for him," Krall said. "He needs to go through the development process and continue to get better there. He's had a couple of really good games. He's had a couple of games where he has been so-so."

Gonzales (wrist) will make his scheduled start Monday against the Astros in Houston.

The southpaw's previous start April 27 in Tampa Bay lasted less than an inning after he was struck in the left wrist with a comebacker, but he was fortunate to avoid any structural damage and escaped with a bruise. Gonzales was able to complete his between-starts bullpen session Friday without incident, so he shouldn't face any strict limitations with his workload as he takes the hill for the fifth time this season. He turned in a 3.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB across 14 innings over his first four outings.

Peterson will be recalled to start one half of Tuesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, though the Mets have yet to specify which game, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Peterson has made two starts and one relief appearance for the Mets this season, allowing just one run on nine hits in 14 innings of work despite an unimpressive 18.9 percent strikeout rate. Trevor Williams picked up the team's most recent spot start in late April, but it looks as though Peterson will be the preferred option Tuesday.

Sanchez (shoulder) has increased his throwing distance to 60 feet, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Manager Don Mattingly said early last week that Sanchez had resumed playing catch from 45 feet, and he slightly increased his throwing distance approximately a week later. The right-hander was in a ramp-up process over the first half of 2021 before ultimately requiring shoulder surgery last July. As a result, the Marlins will likely bring Sanchez along slowly, and a better timetable for his return is unlikely to be revealed until he's able to resume mound work.

Gutierrez is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Brewers in Milwaukee, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gutierrez was initially lined up to start the series opener in Milwaukee on Tuesday, but an off day Monday allowed the Reds to reorder their pitching schedule. As a result, Tyler Mahle will move to the front of the order and start Tuesday, setting him up to make a second turn Sunday against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Gutierrez will be limited to the one start Wednesday for this week, making him an unpalatable fantasy option in the majority of leagues.

Ryu (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Ryu tossed three innings during a simulated game over the weekend, and his advance to a rehab assignment will likely serve as the final step in his recovery process. Manager Charlie Montoyo is optimistic that the southpaw will just need a brief rehab stint, so it's possible he'll be able to rejoin the Blue Jays following one or two outings with the minor-league club.

Meyer gave up one run on six hits and one walk over 6.2 innings Saturday for Triple-A Jacksonville in a win over Charlotte. He struck out six.

It was the longest outing of Meyer's minor-league career to date, and it continued a run of dominance to begin the season that has seen the right-hander deliver a 1.71 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB through 26.1 innings over five starts. The Marlins' No. 2 fantasy prospect doesn't seem to have much left to prove in the minors, but he's not yet on the 40-man roster and the organization is going to be keeping a careful eye on his workload. Still, it's likely only a matter of time before the 23-year-old makes his big-league debut.

The Brewers designated Urena for assignment Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

He was moved off the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to clear room for infielder Luis Urias (quadriceps), who was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. After earning a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster as a long reliever, Urena floundered over his four appearances out of the bullpen, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits and five walks while striking out three over 7.2 innings.

Eflin (1-2) took the loss to the Mets on Sunday night. He was charged with six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Eflin threw six innings of one-run ball against the Rockies his last time out, but he was unable to build on that success Sunday. The right-hander still has respectable numbers overall even after this blemish, and he's allowed just one home run through 24 innings this season. However, unless he can find a way to miss more bats, Eflin will remain volatile. He will have to hope for better BABIP fortune against this same Mets team next weekend.