Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock is feeling better and will throw a bullpen Saturday at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Manager Alex Cora said.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list April 17 because of a left oblique strain. The 27-year-old righty left his start April 16 against the Guardians after throwing just 54 pitches in four innings.

Whitlock has a 1.96 ERA (18 1/3 innings, four earned runs) and 1.15 WHIP in four starts. He has allowed just 14 hits and opponents have batted .212 against him.

Starters Nick Pivetta (elbow flexor strain) and Brayan Bello (right lat tightness) are much closer to retuning from the IL. Pivetta likely will rejoin the rotation this coming week in Atlanta after making a rehab start Thursday. Bello will make a rehab start for Double-A Portland on Tuesday. Cora said Bello likely will need just one rehab start before returning to Boston’s rotation.

ANGELS: Mike Trout had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and the three-time AL MVP is expected to return this season.

Trout had a partial medial menisectomy procedure performed in California. The team said the outfielder will remain in Anaheim for the start of his rehab process.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the 11-time All-Star has dealt with a significant injury.

“When they went in, it was exactly what we said it was and nothing else,” Angels Manager Ron Washington said.

YANKEES: Gerrit Cole is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday for the first time since getting injured in spring training.

“Whether that’s a full bullpen or what exactly that looks like, we’ll see,” New York Manager Aaron Boone said before Friday night’s game against Detroit. “I think it’s gone well so far, his buildup and checking the boxes and the level of intensity of throwing and things like that. So far, so good. Getting off the mound will obviously be another step.”

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been on the 60-day injured list all season with right elbow inflammation.

CUBS: Justin Steele is just about ready to return to Chicago’s rotation after being sidelined since the season opener because of a strained left hamstring.

Steele is on track to start Monday against San Diego, assuming he gets through one more bullpen session with no issues, Counsell said. The left-hander was hurt trying to field a bunt at Texas in the first Opening Day start of his career.

TWINS: Minnesota placed center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list because of inflammation in his troublesome right knee, with guarded optimism his absence can be kept to the minimum.

PIRATES: Pittsburgh optioned former first-overall pick Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis and activated catcher Yasmani Grandal off the injured list.

Davis is hitting just .162 with no home runs and four RBI in 23 games for Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old, the top selection in the 2021 amateur draft, has struck out 29 times in 83 at-bats.

BRAVES: Atlanta acquired right-handed reliever Jimmy Herget from the Los Angeles Angels for cash.

UNIFORMS: MLB uniforms will have larger lettering on the back of jerseys and individual pant customization will be available to all players beginning in 2025, MLB and Nike announced.

MLB and Nike said the uniform adjustments will be made following conversations with players, clubs and equipment managers.

FRIDAY’S GAME

BREWERS 3, CUBS 1: William Contreras hit an RBI single during Milwaukee’s three-run eighth inning, and the Brewers won their first game against former manager Craig Counsell, beating the Cubs in Chicago.

Chicago’s Hayden Wesneski pitched scoreless ball into the seventh and Christopher Morel homered for the third time in five games. But the Brewers used a late rally to open a weekend series between the NL Central’s top teams on a winning note.

Jackson Chourio started Milwaukee’s comeback with a pinch-hit single with one out in the eighth against Adbert Alzolay (1-4). The rookie swiped second and scored on Contreras’ base hit.

Contreras then stole second and came around on Willy Adames’ two-out single. The Brewers got another run when Adames stole second and scored on Jake Bauers’ single to center against Alzolay, who heard it from the crowd.

Milwaukee’s Joe Ross pitched six innings of six-hit ball after losing his previous three starts. Elvis Peguero (4-0) and Joel Payamps each worked an inning before Trevor Megill handled the ninth for his second save.

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