MLB Player News

Hurt (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound but hasn't yet progressed to full bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.

Hurt is making gradual progress from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July. If he continues to proceed without any setbacks, he could return to the big-league club near the end of the campaign, but that's not a guarantee given the nature of his procedure.

Myers did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rays, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Myers allowed two runs in the fourth inning and was lifted after 75 pitches, 47 of which went for strikes. The 26-year-old has completed five innings just once through four starts, never exceeding 82 pitches. He owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 11:10 K:BB across 16.1 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Twins next weekend.

Ohtani (elbow) threw an up-down bullpen session Saturday in Arizona, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

This was the first time Ohtani has done an up-down -- meaning he simulated a break between innings -- as he continues this pitching progression. Aside from the added wrinkle, the session was similar to recent bullpens the two-way star has thrown, as he tossed around 35 pitches consisting of four-seamers, two-seamers and splitters. Ohtani has yet to deploy his full pitch mix or throw to live hitters, however, so he's probably still at least a couple months away from returning to game action. The Dodgers plan to have him build up through simulated games since his role as a designated hitter precludes him from going on a minor-league rehab pitching assignment.

Encarnacion (hand) is starting his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Encarnacion started the season on the injured list after fracturing his left hand in mid-March. He has steadily increased his baseball activities over the past two months and is taking the final step in his recovery program by embarking on a rehab assignment. Barring any setbacks, Encarnacion could be activated from the IL when first eligible May 23. He'll start at first base in Saturday's outing, and that could be where he gets most of his playing time when he returns to the majors while Wilmer Flores stays in the DH spot, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Cruz was removed from Saturday's 3-2 extra innings loss to Atlanta due to lower-back tightness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Per Stumpf, Cruz appeared to tweak his back in the ninth frame and was replaced by Liover Peguero. Cruz will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury, but he is in jeopardy of missing Sunday's series finale. Ji Hwan Bae would be in line to see more work in the outfield if Cruz is unable to play.

Happ isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets due to an oblique injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Happ's oblique reportedly began bothering him after his first at-bat in Friday's contest, but he was able to play through it for the rest of the night. The Cubs will sit him down Saturday as a precaution and start Seiya Suzuki in left field while Justin Turner serves as the DH.

Martinez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that the ball has been "sizzling" out of Martinez's hand during his throwing program, which is a sign that the 23-year-old is feeling good after landing on the injured list May 1 with shoulder inflammation. Assuming all goes well during his bullpen session, Martinez may still be on pace to return when eligible Friday.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith is 1-for-11 with four strikeouts in his career against Arizona starter Corbin Burnes. The 30-year-old backstop will step out of the lineup Saturday while Austin Barnes starts behind the dish and bats ninth.

Mervis isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Make it back-to-back days that Mervis has taken a seat against a right-handed starter. It's still unclear at his point if the 27-year-old has fallen down the Marlins' depth chart, but he'll step aside Saturday while Ronny Simon serves as Miami's DH against Chicago's Shane Smith.

Gurriel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

After going 1-for-5 with a grand slam and five total RBI in Friday's loss, Gurriel will step out of the starting nine Saturday. Tim Tawa will pick up a start in left field as a result and bat eighth.