MLB Player News

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw from up to 75 feet Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole has been playing catch for about a week, throwing from 60 feet on flat ground. He didn't throw Monday but is slated to resume play catch Tuesday, moving out an additional 15 feet. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner appears to be making steady progress in his recovery from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He's eligible to come off the 60-day IL in late May.

Whitley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

It's the first stint in the big leagues for Whitley, who has permitted four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings for Sugar Land this season. The former top prospect has moved to relief this season following years of injuries and control problems.

Arrighetti was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

Arrighetti was much better Monday against Atlanta in his second major-league start than he was in his first outing, allowing two runs while striking out five over four innings. However, with Justin Verlander (shoulder) expected back later this week, Arrighetti will now slide back into the Sugar Land rotation.

The Astros will recall Whitley from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Tuesday's game versus Atlanta, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley was once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball before his career got sidetracked by numerous injuries and control problems. He got a late start to the season at Sugar Land because of a finger injury but returned to make three appearances, allowing four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings. Whitley will work as a reliever for a bullpen that's in need of a fresh arm.

Gipson-Long (forearm/groin) will receive further medical evaluation before the Tigers determine the next steps in his rehab program, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Gipson-Long was on a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland while coming back from a groin injury, but he was pulled off the assignment last week after experiencing right forearm tightness. That he continues to be evaluated isn't a great sign that he'll be able to return to the mound in the near future, but the Tigers should have more clarification on his status later this week.

Kirby (2-2) earned the win over Cincinnati on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Kirby was pounded for 13 runs over 7.2 frames across his previous two starts coming into Monday, but he managed to get back on the right track with a quality start and a victory. The right-hander induced 12 whiffs among his 60 strikes and racked up six punchouts after notching just five over his previous two outings combined. Kirby still has a poor 6.64 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 20.1 innings on the season, but he has two quality starts among his four appearances.

Stripling (0-4) took the loss against St. Louis on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.

Though Stripling picked up his fourth straight loss to begin the campaign -- tied with Luis Castillo for most in the league -- he at least managed to improve upon the six-run, 11-hit performance he posted his previous time on the mound. The right-hander gave up a season-low six hits Monday and came one out away from a quality start, but he garnered only one run of support from Oakland's offense. Stripling has given the A's decent length this season by averaging nearly six innings per start, but he's well off the fantasy radar in standard leagues given his poor overall numbers.

Sandoval didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks across five innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three.

Sandoval fared much better in his second go-around with the Rays on Monday, allowing one run after surrendering four (three earned) against them on April 9. However, his efforts didn't translate into the win column as the Halos didn't get on the board until the eighth frame. The southpaw owns a 4.67 ERA through four starts and has yet to allow a home run in 17.1 innings of action. He's scheduled for a Saturday start against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Eflin didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing six hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings against the Angels.

Eflin got his revenge against the Angels on Monday, holding them scoreless after allowing five runs in five innings against them on April 8. The 30-year-old has yielded mixed results through four starts, giving up at least five earned runs twice while surrendering one run over 12.2 innings during his other pair of starts. Despite the inconsistencies, Eflin's command has been impeccable, with two walks allowed in 23.1 innings. Eflin's projected for a start against the Yankees on Saturday.

Lorenzen (1-0) allowed zero runs on three hits while walking five to earn the win in Monday's 1-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out four.

Lorenzen struggled with his control (46 strikes on 79 pitches), but a five-inning shutout is about as good of a result as the Rangers could have hoped to get from him in his team debut. He was able to end his night on a high note by induced an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fifth. The veteran righty signed with the Rangers in late March after coming off a career-high 153 innings split between the Tigers and Phillies last season. He'll likely have a longer leash in his next start with Texas, which is expected to come over the weekend in Atlanta.