Speaking to reporters ahead of a 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night — Philadelphia’s seventh loss in a row — the Phillies’ president of baseball operations stood behind Thomson’s work and said he’s been a good manager since replacing Joe Girardi in 2022. "Generally, I’ve said about 40 games of the season is when you start to say, ‘OK, where are we shaping up? Guys have had enough time,’" Dombrowski said.

"But there’s no magic in that number. Sometimes it’s a little bit more, sometimes it’s a little bit less. They’re not happy with their performances.

"I’m responsible for putting the club on the field, so I’m not happy with the way it’s going." The Phillies were 8-15 entering Wednesday night’s game against the Cubs, the second-worst record in the National League behind the New York Mets. Philadelphia has lost eight of its last 10 games.

"We just haven’t played very well," Dombrowski said, adding that some individual players have played fine, but "as a group, I don’t think any part of our team has excelled." Lucas Giolito signs The 31-year-old starting pitcher has signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, the team announced. Giolito's contract includes a mutual option for 2027.

Giolito, a 2019 All-Star, spent the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, posting a 3.41 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, 2.1 wins above replacement and a 118 ERA+ over 26 regular-season starts. The Padres, who are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB at 16-7, are 11th in MLB with a 3.53 ERA starting rotation ERA. Giolito has also played parts of nine seasons in the majors for Washington, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland, going 71-66, with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

He has been durable and dependable for most of his career while earning an All-Star selection in 2019 and throwing a no-hitter in 2020. Despite missing a season because of injury, he ranks in the top five among AL pitchers from 2018-25 in innings pitched (1,092), strikeouts (1,153), wins (68) and complete games (5). But Giolito remained on the free agent market nearly one month into the regular season before landing with the Padres, who are pitching superbly this season despite major upheaval and injury problems in their rotation.

Opening day starter Nick Pivetta went on the injured list last week with a right elbow flexor strain that could keep him out for months, while Joe Musgrove has yet to make his season debut after a slower-than-expected return from Tommy John surgery. Yu Darvish already is out for the season with an elbow injury, and Dylan Cease left last fall for a $210 million free-agent deal with Toronto. Giolito will slot immediately into a rotation that currently includes Michael King, Randy Vasquez, German Marquez and former Dodgers star Walker Buehler.

April 21 Adley Rutschman activated The Baltimore Orioles reinstated their star catcher from the injured list before their Tuesday night road game against the Kansas City Royals. Rutschman hasn't played since April 10 because of left ankle inflammation. He hit .294 with six doubles in his first 10 games of the season.

The Orioles designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment. Rutschman, a two-time All-Star, is coming off his worst season at the plate. He hit .220 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs last year and played only 90 games.

Red Sox place Gray on IL The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain and recalled lefty Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester to replace him on the roster. Gray lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers on Monday, giving up one run on three hits before experiencing discomfort in his right leg. He said after the game he had similar problems in 2022 and '24.

"I kind of knew what it was," he said. "It just happens every now and then. It’s just something that I’m always having to monitor since the first time it happened."

Gray, 36, is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five starts this season. He is 127-103 with a 3.59 ERA in a 14-year career with six teams. Samaniego, 27, made his major league debut on April 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers and appeared in three games for the Red Sox, throwing 3 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings.

He is 10-8 with a 3.89 ERA over six minor league seasons. April 20 Dodgers' Díaz set to undergo right elbow surgery, three-month absence expected The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a strong start to the season at 15-6, but they are set to lose one of their biggest offseason additions.