MLB Player News

Rodriguez (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez has been out all season while working his way back from a strained oblique but is finally ready to test things out in game action. The left-handed reliever will likely need a handful of rehab appearances before being activated by the Red Sox.

Fleming (foot) played catch Thursday and is optimistic he'll be able to pitch Sunday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A bigger test will come Friday when Fleming throws a bullpen session, but he's trending in the right direction after he exited his last outing Tuesday with a bruised left foot. If he is available Sunday, it's not clear whether the left-hander would be starting the game or serving as a bulk reliever.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Wednesday that Strahm will move into the bullpen when Ranger Suarez (elbow) is likely activated from the 15-day injured list next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Even though Strahm (3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 37:8 K:BB in 26.2 innings) has handily outperformed rotation mates Bailey Falter and Taijuan Walker this season, the Phillies aren't keen on having the southpaw serve as a full-time starter after he hadn't pitched more than 50 innings in any of the last three years while working almost exclusively as a reliever. Strahm could still be an option for spot starts down the road, but swapping him out of the rotation for Suarez will at least allow the Phillies to better manage the former's workload. With Jose Alvarado excelling as the Phillies' preferred option at closer for the time being, Strahm doesn't look as though he'll be in the mix for saves upon moving to the bullpen, so his fantasy value looks primed to take a major hit now that he's no longer starting. After having made his most recent start Tuesday, Strahm should be available out of the bullpen as soon as Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Stephan (1-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the extra-inning loss Wednesday versus the Yankees.

Stephan entered with the game tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning. Three batters later, he gave up the walkoff hit, a Jose Trevino RBI single. This is just the third time in 14 appearances that Stephan has given up a run. He's pitched to a strong 1.42 ERA, but he's been a bit lucky while scattering 12 hits with a 14:5 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The setup man has added a save, four holds and a blown save while working in a high-leverage role.

Clase allowed a run on two hits in one inning Wednesday versus the Yankees, taking a blown save.

Clase allowed a game-tying RBI single to Willie Calhoun in the ninth inning. While Clase leads the American League with 10 saves, he's also already blown three save chances, including two in his last three outings. He had four blown saves in all of 2022, so he's certainly been a bit off in the early going this year. The right-hander also has a 2.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 16.1 innings.

Naughton (forearm) played catch Thursday from around 90 feet, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Naughton's throwing program is underway about four weeks after he landed on the injured list because of a left forearm strain. He could return to the Cardinals' bullpen in late May if all goes well from this point forward.

Lopez (biceps) is feeling better and hopes to be available Thursday against the Twins, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Lopez hasn't pitched since exiting an appearance Sunday with right biceps fatigue, but he's on the mend. The reliever is just 3-for-6 in save chances and has blown each of his last two with an overall 8.76 ERA this year. Even if Lopez is available Thursday, the White Sox might look in another direction if a save opportunity presents itself.

The Guardians are expected to activate Hentges (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener with the Twins, MLB.com reports.

Hentges has been on the shelf all season with left shoulder inflammation, but he looks ready to make his 2023 debut for the Guardians after recently completing a two-week rehab assignment. Between two appearances at Double-A Akron and three at Triple-A Columbus, Hentges covered 4.2 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Once activated from the IL, Hentges should serve as a key left-handed setup option in front of closer Emmanuel Clase.

Bard allowed one hit and no runs across two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Brewers.

The veteran right-hander has made five appearances since returning from the injured list April 19. He has yet to allow an earned run across five frames, though he also has just a 3:2 K:BB. Most importantly, Bard has pitched primarily in low-leverage situations and does not appear to be a contender for saves at this point. Pierce Johnson leads the team with four saves, with just one of those coming since Bard returned from the IL.

Curtiss was optioned Thursday to Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Curtiss had been knocked around in his last two outings while watching his season ERA rise to 4.85. The 30-year-old reliever should get another shot with the Mets fairly soon.