MLB Player News

Rodriguez has progressed to flat-ground throwing, but is still at least a few bullpen sessions away from facing hitters again. There isn’t a definitive timetable for his return to Baltimore’s starting rotation yet, but there’s a chance he’s back by the end of April or early May, if he avoids any setbacks.

The 29-year-old southpaw was designated for assignment over the weekend but passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Jays at the Triple-A level. He made two appearances during his brief time with the Jays, giving up four runs (21.60 ERA) while striking out three in 1 2/3 innings.

No word yet on exactly what happened, but Pham grounded out to second base in his at-bat in the bottom of the second inning and was then replaced when the Bucs took the field to start the third. Expect the Pirates to provide an update on his status shortly.

It sounds like several Reds’ players are dealing with the same thing, so it’ll be interesting to see their lineup once it’s finally released. Reds’ general manager Nick Krall did tell reporters that they had enough players to play on Friday night, so that’s encouraging at least.

Happ scored on a bases-loaded walk to Nico Hoerner in the first inning, and crossed the plate again in the fifth on a single from Justin Turner. The pair of singles give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Happ should remain at the top of a pretty good Chicago lineup, and that provides opportunity for multi-run outings if he can get on base enough.

Maldonado was responsible for the only run of the game for the Padres with a solo blast off an otherwise-excellent Shota Imanaga. The 38-year-old has his first homer as a member of the Padres, and fantasy managers shouldn’t expect many more.

It was another shaky outing for Pressly, and the Padres were able to put the go-ahead run at the plate after he gave up a hit and a walk. He was able to strike out Jake Cronenworth with runners on second-and-third, and he gets his third save of 2025. Pressly will remain the stopper, but it’s fair to say he hasn’t looked great or anything close to it to begin the year.

Vásquez was able to work around his walks in his start Saturday against Atlanta. he was not able to do that Friday, and in fact walked in his first run in the first inning. He issued five free passes in the start, and his command unraveled against in the fifth; although is defense didn’t help him much in that frame, either. Vásquez will try and find the strike zone against the Athletics on Wednesday.

We’re down to one undefeated team. Imanaga will brilliant on Friday, walking just one and striking out four while allowing just four hits. Over his first three starts of the season, the southpaw has given up just two earned runs, and his ERA is a sparkling 0.98 in the process. Yes Imanaga offers some risk because he’s not an elite misser of bats, but there aren’t many hurlers with better command right now. He’ll try and keep this going against the Rangers next week.

The 29-year-old outfielder had started and hit in the middle of the Rays’ lineup in each of the team’s last four ballgames. Christopher Morel will start in his place in left field and bat fifth for the Rays against Rangers’ right-hander Tyler Mahle on Friday.

Until now, Neto had been limited to serving as the designated hitter there, so taking the field will be a major step in his recovery. It’s unclear how many games he’ll need there before he’s ready to rejoin the Angels but barring any setbacks he should be ready to go at some point in the middle of April.