MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Betts is "symptom-free" in regard to his strained right oblique, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Betts said at the start of the week that he's "light years" ahead of schedule in his recovery, and Roberts' comments Friday affirm that outlook. While the star shortstop isn't expected to be ready for activation off the IL when first eligible April 15, it's looking increasingly likely that he'll beat the initial 4-to-6 week timeline. Per MLB.com, Betts has been participating in defensive drills but hasn't yet resumed swinging a bat.

Edman (ankle) took live at-bats against Blake Snell (shoulder) on Saturday, per MLB.com.

The session marked the first time Edman has faced live pitching since last season. The utility man is also continuing to ramp up his running progression, but he still seems to be several weeks away from a potential minor-league rehab assignment. Edman is unlikely to be activated off the IL until at least late May.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Realmuto is available for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks only in an emergency while contending with a sore foot, Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Thomson indicated that Realmuto wasn't in line for a day off Sunday, but the Phillies are choosing to hold him out after the backstop took a foul ball off his foot during Saturday's 4-3 win. Rafael Marchan will handle catching duties in the series finale, but Realmuto could be ready to step back in behind the plate for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Pop is slated to serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Andrew Painter had been lined up to start the series finale but was a late scratch due to a migraine. Pop hasn't covered more than an inning in any of his appearances so far, so he's not expected to provide the Phillies with much length in his first career MLB start.

Painter was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against the Diamondbacks due to a migraine, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies will turn to Zach Pop to open the contest in what's likely to be a bullpen day. The migraine shouldn't be a long-term concern for Painter, and Todd Zolecki of MLB.com relays that the rookie right-hander was seen working out in the bullpen prior to the game, perhaps suggesting that he could be available to cover multiple innings in relief.

Kelly (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Tuesday in Baltimore, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw five scoreless frames in a minor-league rehab start April 3 and continued to build up at extended spring training this past week with a six-inning, 83-pitch appearance. Kelly has missed the first few weeks of the season due to a back injury, but he should be able to handle a near-full workload for the Diamondbacks in his 2026 debut.

Pauley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Pauley had started the Marlins' last four games, but he'll take a seat against Tarik Skubal. He'll be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitters Owen Caissie and Liam Hicks.

Caissie is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Caissie had started the Marlins' last four games, but he'll take a seat against Tarik Skubal. He'll be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitters Graham Pauley and Liam Hicks.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Hicks had started the Marlins' last four games, but he'll take a seat against Tarik Skubal. He'll be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitters Graham Pauley and Owen Caissie.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Alvarez started the previous six games and went 6-for-19 (.316) with three walk and a homer during that span, and he'll get a well-deserved day off. Luis Torrens will step in behind the plate to do the catching for righty Freddy Peralta.