MLB Player News

McClanahan (6-4) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven over four innings to take the loss versus the Angels on Friday.

McClanahan failed to reach the five-inning mark for the first time since April 19 versus the Pirates. The southpaw has had some spotty performances lately, allowing four runs in three of his last five outings. In that span, he's given up a total of 13 runs across 24.1 innings. On a positive note, he matched his season high with seven strikeouts Friday. He's now at a 3.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 66:22 K:BB across 64 innings over 13 starts. McClanahan is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Dodgers, which may be a matchup for fantasy managers to avoid given his recent inconsistency.

Kikuchi (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a throwing program in mid-June, per MLB.com.

Kikuchi is dealing with left shoulder inflammation and hasn't thrown since making an early exit from his last start April 29. Given the length of his absence, the southpaw will likely need several weeks to ramp up once he begins a throwing program. The expectation is that Kikuchi will be sidelined through the All-Star break, though he could return shortly thereafter.

Flaherty was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians due to left leg discomfort, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Flaherty gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one batter before his leg forced him out of the game after the third inning. More will be known regarding the severity of his injury once the Tigers' medical staff takes a closer look at him, and an update on his status could come after the game.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Fried (elbow) will throw off a mound Saturday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Recent imaging on Fried's left elbow showed increased healing, and the southpaw is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a bone bruise that caused him to go on the 15-day injured list in mid-May. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Saturday's session will be "touch and feel" in what will be Fried's first time throwing off a mound since being placed on the IL. The Yankees should gain a better sense of Fried's injury recovery once the southpaw is cleared to embark on a rehab assignment, which could happen in late June.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Bieber (elbow) will likely make another rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining Toronto, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bieber looked sharp in his second rehab start Thursday, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. If the veteran right-hander needs another turn in Triple-A and all goes well, then he could be available to return for the Blue Jays' series opener against the Astros on Monday, June 22. Bieber's return would likely result in Patrick Corbin being removed from the Blue Jays' rotation.

The Royals placed Lugo on the 7-day concussion list Friday.

Lugo was struck in the forehead by a line drive during Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The good news for Lugo was that a subsequent CT scan came back negative, but he's now in the league's concussion protocol and will need to hit multiple checkpoints before being cleared to return to the majors. In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled Eli Morgan from Triple-A Omaha.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Friday that Mize (adductor) will rejoin the rotation with a start Sunday in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Mize has been out since late May with right adductor inflammation, but he's ready to roll after tossing five frames of one-run ball with five strikeouts in his lone rehab start with Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. He threw 55 pitches Tuesday and hasn't had a full workload in three weeks, so Mize might not pitch deep into Sunday's contest.

The Guardians recalled Espino from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Espino was one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball a few years ago, but his career has been sidetracked by injuries, including a pair of shoulder surgeries. He's moved to the bullpen this season and has finally earned a call-up after collecting a 5.30 ERA and 29:15 K:BB over 18.2 innings with Columbus.

The Guardians will recall Espino from Triple-A Columbus prior to Friday's game against the Tigers, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Following two shoulder surgeries and multiple missed seasons due to injury, Espino is finally poised to make his major-league debut. The right-hander has been used out of the bullpen at Columbus, posting a 5.30 ERA and 29:15 K:BB over 18.2 innings of work. The timing of the call-up is interesting, given that Espino was scored upon in three of his last four outings at Triple-A, but the Guardians feel he's ready for his first big-league opportunity. Espino is likely to be used in low-leverage situations initially.

Woo (5-5) allowed seven runs on seven hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Orioles on Thursday.

Woo continues to be wildly inconsistent -- he's allowed at least four runs in five of his last nine outings, but he's also posted three scoreless lines in that span. The right-hander was cruising early Thursday, but a six-run third inning spoiled the effort. That included a pair of home runs, making this just the third time he's allowed multiple homers in a game this season. Woo now has a 4.28 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 79:15 K:BB through 82 innings across 14 starts. He'll look to get back on track next week in a rematch versus the Orioles in Seattle.