MLB Player News

Blackburn (finger), who allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while recording one strikeout over 3.2 innings in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, will toe the rubber for the Aviators again Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

Blackburn hasn't inspired any confidence during his time down on the farm, as he's pitched to a 9.69 ERA across 13 innings over five starts between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The right-hander, a 2022 All-Star selection, did come out of Friday's start without any finger-related issues, but it seems fairly clear the Athletics are more concerned about his string of poor performances at the moment and therefore are affording him at least one more opportunity work out the kinks.

Manager Alex Cora said Sunday "there's a good chance" Whitlock (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 26-year-old made his second rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday and threw 79 pitches across 4.2 scoreless frames, lining him up to rejoin the big-league rotation next weekend in Arizona. Whitlock is nearly built up to a full starter's workload, so any limitations in his first start back with the Red Sox should be minor.

General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that McCullers (forearm) isn't expected to return from the injured list until "somewhere closer to the All-Star break, or after," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old played catch on flat ground Sunday instead of throwing a bullpen session as previously expected, and it appears the Astros don't expect him back from the injured list until sometime in July. Dusty Baker said earlier in the day the change of plans didn't indicate a setback for McCullers, but the lengthy return timeline certainly appears to represent a halt in his progress.

Clevinger was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right wrist inflammation, retroactive to May 18.

The veteran right-hander was scheduled to start Monday at Minnesota but will now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks with the wrist issue. The severity of the injury is unclear, so it remains to be seen if Clevinger will have a chance of being reinstated when first eligible in early June.

Severino did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Reds. He struck out five.

Severino surrendered a run in the first inning Sunday before holding the Reds to three hits over his final 3.2 frames. Overall, it was an encouraging debut for Severino, who was pulled after throwing 75 pitches. The Yankees will likely be careful with Severino's pitch counts after he missed the start of the season with a lat injury. He's currently lined up to face the Padres at home in his next outing.

Waldichuk, who exited Friday's loss to the Astros with a mild calf strain, was feeling better Saturday and could make his next scheduled start Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The southpaw's sixth-inning exit came after he'd already allowed four runs on five hits and five walks, so he may not have been long for the night at that point anyhow. However, Waldichuk did indeed suffer a strain, but manager Mark Kotsay was optimistic enough about the pitcher's overnight improvement to leave open the possibility he'd have a chance to toe the rubber when next scheduled, Wednesday night on the road against the Mariners.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Sunday's game against the Athletics that McCullers (forearm) played catch on flat ground instead of throwing a bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Baker told reporters that even with the change of plans, this should not be considered a setback for McCullers, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports. The right-hander is still in Houston to work out, but he could join the team at some point during their upcoming road trip. McCullers has missed all of 2023 with his forearm strain, and he has a chance to return to the Houston rotation in the early portion of June.

Gaddis is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start Monday against the White Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Gaddis has a 6.86 ERA across 19.2 innings for Cleveland this season and will rejoin the big-league rotation for the series opener versus Chicago. The 25-year-old isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation beyond Monday's contest, especially with Triston McKenzie (shoulder) and Aaron Civale (oblique) on rehab assignments and nearing their returns from the injured list.

Glasnow (oblique) is making his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

The right-hander delivered four scoreless frames in his previous start with Durham last Tuesday, and he should continue to build up his workload Sunday. It could be Glasnow's final rehab outing -- assuming he avoids any setbacks -- which potentially puts him on track to make his season debut next weekend against the Dodgers.

Irvin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Irvin will return to Triple-A after being called up Tuesday to provide the Orioles with an additional bullpen arm. The left-hander recorded one out in Saturday's win, recording his first scoreless outing with Baltimore this season. Overall, Irvin owns a 10.38 ERA in the majors this year, and he'll look to hone his craft with Norfolk before potentially returning to Baltimore later in 2023.