MLB Player News

Howard was placed on the 10-day injured list with a cracked finger nail/blister Thursday, retroactive to April 11.

Howard was scheduled to start Friday's game against the Angels, but he's dealing with a finger issue that will force him to miss time. Since the move was backdated, it's possible he'll be able to return after missing just one turn through the rotation. The Rangers haven't yet indicated who will start Friday's matchup, but the team will likely rely heavily on its bullpen.

Rodriguez was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list for an unspecified reason Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

Rodriguez allowed four runs in two innings during his first two relief appearances at Triple-A Iowa this year, but he's now dealing with an injury that will force him to miss at least a week. The nature of the issue isn't yet clear, and a timetable for his return isn't known.

Underwood (hamstring) threw Thursday and has been feeling better recently, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Underwood dealt with hamstring discomfort following the season opener last week, but he's optimistic that he won't require a lengthy stint on the injured list. Once the right-hander is cleared to return, he should pitch mainly in low-leverage situations.

The Blue Jays are hopeful Pearson (illness) will be ready to resume throwing off a mound this weekend or early next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto is continuing to bring Pearson along slowly in his throwing progression after the hard-throwing righty recently battled mononucleosis. While advancing to mound work would represent a step forward for Pearson, he's still likely at least a week or more away from heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The Blue Jays are planning to have Pearson build up for starting duty, so he'll presumably require at least two rehab appearances or simulated games at lower-level affiliates before likely settling in the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo once he's formally reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Borucki (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a one-inning simulated game Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, but he'll be limited to just one inning during Friday's throwing session. If he checks out fine after the sim game, the southpaw will be in the mix begin a rehab assignment afterward, or he could directly join the Blue Jays' bullpen if the team needs additional relievers.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Hicks is tentatively lined up to make his first start of the season Tuesday against the Marlins in Miami, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Hicks initially appeared poised to pick up two turns through the rotation this week, but postponements of Monday's game against Pittsburgh and Wednesday's game against Kansas City will result in the 25-year-old having to wait a little longer for his first MLB start. Marmol noted that Hicks will be available in relief for the team's four-game series in Milwaukee that begins Thursday, so it's not a lock that the right-hander will be ready to take the hill in Miami if he's pressed into extended innings out of the bullpen against the Brewers. Whenever Hicks does make his first start, he's expected to be capped at around 45 pitches before steadily increasing his pitch count in his subsequent outings.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Hudson will make his second start of the season Sunday in Milwaukee, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Hudson looked as though he might miss out on a two-start week after the Cardinals' game Wednesday against the Royals was rained out, but he'll remain on his normal four days' rest to take the hill Sunday after Marmol opted to push No. 5 starter Jordan Hicks back in the pitching schedule. The 27-year-old righty will be looking for better results in Milwaukee after taking a no-decision in his season debut against Kansas City on Tuesday. Hudson worked four innings in the Cardinals' 6-5 win, giving up three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four.

Coonrod (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Coonrod has been dealing with a shoulder strain since late March, but he recently increased his throwing distance to 90 feet. However, he'll be unavailable until at least early June after being transferred to the 60-day IL. The move makes room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Andrew Bellatti, whose contract was selected Thursday.

Bellatti's contract was selected by the Phillies on Thursday.

The 30-year-old righty owns a 3.71 ERA in 26.2 career major-league innings, though his 19.3 percent strikeout rate and 10.5 percent walk rate suggest that number is due to rise. He'll fill a low-leverage role for the Phillies for now after Connor Brogdon and Damon Jones were optioned Wednesday.

Green (0-1) was tagged with the loss against Toronto on Wednesday as a result of giving up an unearned run in one inning. He did not allow any hits but issued one walk.

Green was solid in the relief outing, throwing 15 of 22 pitches for strikes and holding the Blue Jays without a hit. However, his walk of Alejandro Kirk to begin the seventh inning came back to bite him as a one-out error and a single after Green was relieved by Jonathan Loaisiga pushed Toronto into the lead. Green has been effective in three outings thus far, allowing only one hit and one walk over three scoreless frames on the season.