Dodgers: An MRI exam on the left shoulder of Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell revealed no structural damage, manager Dave Roberts said Friday. The two-time Cy Young Award winner hasn’t pitched for his new team since April 2 due to left shoulder inflammation, and the Dodgers stopped Snell’s throwing program earlier this week after he felt discomfort. The results of Thursday’s MRI were a cause for optimism, Roberts said.

Mets: The Mets activated catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman Jeff McNeil from the injured list Friday, and both were in the lineup to make their season debut in the opener of a four-game series against the Nationals. Alvarez fractured the hamate bone in his left hand during practice on March 8 and underwent surgery two days later.

Pirates: Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for inappropriate actions toward Angels fans during a game on Wednesday. Pham’s suspension was scheduled to be served in Friday night’s game at the Dodgers, but has been delayed because he has elected to appeal. Pham made an obscene gesture to a fan who touched him while tracking down a ball in the left field corner in the fifth inning of a 3-0 win.

Cardinals: The Cardinals optioned right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis and recalled right-hander Riley O’Brien before Friday’s game against the Brewers.

Blue Jays: Max Scherzer threw 27 pitches off the mound Friday and Blue Jays manager John Schneider said it was a step in the right direction as the right-hander recovers from a troublesome thumb. Scherzer threw off the mound a week after getting a second cortisone shot in his thumb and throwing off flat ground earlier this week in Houston. “It wasn’t max effort by any means, but he threw all of his pitches,” Schneider said before the Blue Jays opened a three-game series against the Yankees. “He spun a few breaking balls in there and I think just a good step in the right direction.” Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list because of thumb inflammation on March 30 and had a cortisone injection the following day. The 40-year-old Scherzer exited his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. The three-time Cy Young award winner allowed a homer to Colton Cowser on his second pitch of the game and another homer to Jordan Westburg in the first inning of his debut. Scherzer said afterward his thumb issue was to blame for that soreness. Earlier in March, Scherzer had a spring training start pushed back because of thumb pain.

Red Sox, Guardians: The series opener between the Red Sox and Guardians was postponed by rain on Friday, setting up a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.