MLB Player News

Scherzer (back) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Frisco, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer will look to push up his pitch count in his second rehab outing after he struck out four over 2.1 innings (52 pitches) while allowing three earned runs on five hits and no walks in his 2024 debut Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock. Since Scherzer missed all of spring training while completing his recovery from Dec. 15 surgery to address a herniated disc in his back, he could require an additional rehab start after Tuesday to get fully stretched out. The right-hander looks on track to return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut for the Rangers in early May.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Valdez (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Mexico City, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez has been on the IL since April 9 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He built up to 40 pitches in his last bullpen session Wednesday, so his first start back from the injured list will likely be an abbreviated one. In any case, his return will still give Houston's rotation a much-needed boost following the recent move of Cristian Javier (neck) to the IL. Valdez surrendered three earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 12.1 innings across his first two starts before getting injured. Given Valdez's expected workload restriction Sunday in addition to the high altitude in Mexico City likely creating a hitter-friendly environment, fantasy managers may want to hold off on immediately activating the southpaw.

The Royals placed Marsh on the 15-day injured Thursday with a right elbow contusion.

Marsh departed early in his start in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto after being struck in the right elbow by a comebacker. X-rays came back negative on Marsh's elbow, and though he sustained nothing more than a bruise, the Royals decided it was best to shut him down for the next 15 days. The Royals called up Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday to give the bullpen a fresh arm in the short term, but it's not immediately clear who will replace Marsh in the rotation.

The Blue Jays placed Francis on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm extensor tendinitis.

Since making his last start April 7, Francis has made his subsequent three appearances as a piggyback reliever behind starter Yariel Rodriguez. Francis scooped up wins in 2.1- and two-inning outings April 13 and 19, but he didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals after tossing two scoreless frames once Rodriguez exited the contest. Though he didn't appear to be nursing any sort of injury during the relief outing, Francis was apparently diagnosed with the forearm issue when he was evaluated afterward. He won't be eligible to rejoin Toronto until May 10 after landing on the IL.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) will make at least one rehab start before rejoining the rotation, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The initial hope was that Pivetta could return from a right elbow flexor strain following a minimum stint on the injured list. That hasn't happened, as he's already missed more than 15 days. However, the right-hander has resumed throwing off a mound and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at Fenway Park on Saturday. If all goes well, Pivetta could make his rehab start late next week before potentially returning from the IL in the second week of May.

Clevinger will make a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday against Lehigh Valley, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger will be making his first start with a minor-league affiliate, as he has been pitching in extended spring training games after re-signing with the White Sox on a one-year deal April 2. Manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday that Clevinger will throw four innings and/or 60 pitches in his first start with Charlotte and then progress to five innings and/or 75 pitches in his next outing. Clevinger could be ready to join the White Sox's rotation after that, setting him up for his season debut as soon as May 5 in St. Louis.

The Twins recalled Woods Richardson from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

He will start Thursday's game against the White Sox, and with Louie Varland back in the minors, Woods Richardson will have an opportunity to stick in the Twins rotation for a while. The right-hander spun six innings of one-run ball against the Tigers on April 13, but a 6.08 ERA across 13.1 innings in three starts with St. Paul this season suggests that fantasy managers should exercise caution with him.

Schmidt (2-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the A's, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander cruised through five innings before serving up a three-run shot to Brent Rooker in the sixth and getting the hook after 92 pitches (58 strikes), but the Yanks supported Schmidt with three long balls of their own. He's still looking for his first quality start of the season, but Schmidt has lasted five or more innings in four of his five outings, and he hasn't given up more than three runs in any of them. He'll take a 3.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 25.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Baltimore.

Boyle (1-4) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over three innings as the A's fell 7-3 to the Yankees. He struck out six.

The rookie right-hander needed 85 pitches (50 strikes) to record only nine outs, and while Boyle continues to miss bats, he isn't offering much else from a fantasy standpoint. He's issued at least three free passes in four of his five starts to begin the season, stumbling to a 7.06 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 24:16 K:BB through 21.2 innings. He lines up to make his next outing at home early next week against the Pirates.

Manoah (shoulder) yielded six runs on seven hits and four walks over three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Manoah had seemed to make some strides in his previous two rehab outings, but he took a big step backward Wednesday. The right-hander's velocity was down 0.8 mph on both his sinker and four-seamer and down 1.4 mph on his slider, which was his most-used pitch in the start. Manoah walked four of the 19 batters he faced and surrendered a pair of home runs. The Blue Jays had seemed optimistic that Manoah would be ready to rejoin their rotation for his next start, but they might reconsider following the righty's struggles Wednesday. Manoah has been out all season with right shoulder inflammation.