MLB Player News

Graveman, who is not starting against the Yankees this weekend, is dealing with shoulder soreness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's troubling news considering Graveman missed the latter half of April with the same ailment. The best-case scenario for both parties seems to be giving the right-hander some extra rest and hoping he can make his next scheduled start, Thursday against Cleveland. Sean Manaea will be taking his spot for Friday's series opener versus the Yankees and Jharel Cotton will slide into the rotation Saturday.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Valdez, along with Dwight Smith, was sent down in order to clear roster space for Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki, both of whom are returning from injury Friday. The 32-year-old right-hander, claimed off waivers from Oakland earlier this month, pitched one scoreless inning for the Blue Jays but will make his next appearance in the minors, where he has a 3.00 ERA through two starts this season.

Burdi will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, ending his 2017 season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's an unfortunate end to what had been a promising start to the 2017 campaign, as Burdi had compiled a minuscule 0.53 ERA and a 20:4 K:BB through 17 innings before going on the DL with elbow soreness. The hard-throwing righty will likely return to the mound sometime in the middle of the 2018 season, where he'll look to build on his early success at Double-A Chattanooga.

Alexander (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Alexander, who has posted a very respectable 1.26 ERA over 14.1 innings of relief this season, could make his return to the Royals' bullpen within the next week if all goes according to plan. He may need to pitch a couple of innings with Omaha as he gets back to full strength, but expect a firmer timetable to come down from the team in the near future.

Whalen will start Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

It will be his first major-league appearance since last season, when he compiled an unimpressive 6.57 ERA over five starts with the Braves. With James Paxton aiming to return to the rotation sometime next week, it appears this will be Whalen's only chance with the team before being shipped back to Triple-A Tacoma, where he has posted a 4.09 ERA through four starts thus far.

Farmer will start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader after Friday's game was postponed by rain.

Farmer, recalled specifically for this spot start, has posted a 4.12 ERA over nine games with Triple-A Toledo this season, so he's likely bound to return to the minors after Saturday. Michael Fulmer will take the mound in the nightcap of the twinbill.

Graveman has been replaced as the Athletics' starter against the Yankees on Friday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Sean Manaea will take his place.

Manaea will take Oakland's first turn for the weekend series. Graveman's 5.48 ERA in May has soured his fantasy outlook after a brisk 2.25 ERA in four April outings. Still, Oakland should soon clarify if it is removing him from the rotation entirely or merely shuffling things around.

Manaea will start Friday against the Yankees in place of Kendall Graveman, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Oakland had off days on both Monday and Thursday this week, so Manaea will have had a solid five days since his last start, Saturday against Boston. The southpaw has compiled a 5.24 ERA over seven starts this season, but hasn't given up more than four earned runs over his last five starts and is holding opposing hitters to a .189 BAA. Jharel Cotton will be recalled to start Saturday's matinee.

Graveman may have his turn in the rotation skipped, allowing Sean Manaea to start Friday against the Yankees, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California reports.

No official move as been made and it's unclear why the team would elect to replace the 26-year-old in the rotation. Stiglich reports that Jharel Cotton has emerged as a possibility take Manaea's place for Saturday, likely indicating a potential injury to Graveman. Further details should be coming closer to game time from the club.

The White Sox placed Covey on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a strained left oblique.

Covey was removed from his Tuesday outing by trainers after giving up four earned runs in 2.1 innings. The White Sox are calling up Tyler Danish from Triple-A Charlotte to start the second game of Friday's doubleheader but should provide an update on who'll fill in for subsequent outings.