MLB Player News

Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

It will mark the first time Bieber will throw off a mound this season, as the right-hander had been limited to flat-ground work during spring training. Bieber obviously has several more hurdles to clear before he's making starts for the Blue Jays, as he needs to build his arm up and will likely require multiple rehab starts. There's a chance Bieber will be ready to pitch for Toronto sometime in May.

Strider (oblique) will travel with Atlanta on its road trip, but he remains without a timetable to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider is expected to throw a live batting practice session at some point during the team's road trip that runs from April 2 through 8, and Atlanta will have a better idea at that point when the right-hander will be ready to pitch in a game. The right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6, and while he won't be ready to return by that date, it might not be much later than that.

Mullins is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

Mullins started all three games against the Cardinals but will sit for the first time this season, as the Rays are set to face left-hander Kyle Harrison on Monday. Jonny DeLuca is batting sixth and starting in center field for Tampa Bay. Mullins is 1-for-14 at the plate with two RBI and a 0:2 BB:K to begin the 2026 campaign.

Robert is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt in St. Louis.

Robert will receive a day of rest after starting all three games of the Mets' season-opening series against the Pirates. Carson Benge will slide over to center field and Brett Baty will handle right field for the Mets.

Yesavage (shoulder) will throw a simulated game Friday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Yesavage will throw 45 pitches in the simulated game, the latest step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. After not appearing in any spring training games, Yesavage is still building his arm up. He'll likely need multiple starts on a rehab assignment before he's ready to join the Blue Jays' rotation.

Ortiz is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

He'll receive a day of rest after starting each of the first three games of the season. With Ortiz getting a breather, the Brewers will shift David Hamilton over to shortstop and give Luis Rengifo a start at third base.

Garcia (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Garcia needed a cleanup procedure on his elbow late last season, which caused him to miss Toronto's playoff run, and he just started throwing off a mound again two weeks ago. Still being built up, Garcia could head out on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks.

The Astros optioned Roa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston is replacing Roa in the bullpen with Cody Bolton, who had his contract selected from Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Roa pitched in two games out of the Astros' bullpen in the opening series against the Angels and allowed one run on one hit and two walks across 1.1 innings. He struck out a pair.

The Brewers are close to signing Pratt to an eight-year contract extension worth more than $50 million, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The deal will also include two option years, locking Pratt up for as long as 10 years. Pratt began this season at Triple-A Nashville after slashing .238/.343/.348 with eight home runs, 31 stolen bases and a 67:80 BB:K over 120 games at Double-A Biloxi in 2025. The Brewers love Pratt's defense at shortstop, and they think there is untapped offensive potential. Pratt will continue his development at Triple-A indefinitely, but this move will allow the Brewers to call Pratt up to the majors if he earns a look this summer.

The Astros transferred Wesneski (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros needed the spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Cody Bolton, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Wesneski is still working his way back from last May's Tommy John surgery.