MLB Player News

The Rays transferred Rasmussen (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday.

The move gives Rasmussen the option of spending an extra day away from the team, though he's still slated to start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jesse Scholtens was recalled from Triple-A Durham to replenish the Rays' rotation after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL, and he could start Sunday if Rasmussen is not available.

The Rays placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a right elbow strain.

Boyle likely picked up the injury during Wednesday's start against the Cubs, when he took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings. An MRI revealed a minor strain and some inflammation but no structural damage, and Rays manager Kevin Cash relayed to reporters Saturday that Boyle's placement on the 15-day IL is a "cautionary" move, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Boyle is eligible to be activated off the IL in late April, though he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and establish an estimated timeline to return. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled right-hander Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday that Verlander (hip) will make a rehab start before returning from the injured list, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Verlander will be eligible to return from the injured list Thursday, but the Tigers won't activate him right away and instead give him a tune-up outing before reintroducing him to the rotation. Once the veteran righty returns, Casey Mize or Keider Montero will likely be facing a demotion to the bullpen or Triple-A.

Kochanowicz (2-0) earned the win Friday against the Reds after allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out two across seven innings.

Kochanowicz tossed only 53 of his 95 pitches for strikes, which might explain his 2:4 K:BB, but he limited the damage to just one run while posting his first quality start of the season. Kochanowicz allowed six runs (five earned) across four innings in his season debut at Houston on March 29, but he's bounced back admirably -- he's allowed just one run in 12.2 innings over his last two starts while posting a 0.95 WHIP despite the 4.3 BB/9. The 26-year-old righty should face a tougher matchup in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Yankees.

Baz (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Giants, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings.

Baz was coming off a strong showing his last time out against the Pirates, tossing 5.2 innings and allowing one unearned run in his last start, but he couldn't build off that outing. Baz has now allowed at least three earned runs in two of his first three outings of the season and has yet to pitch six innings in any of his three appearances in 2026. With a 4.50 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 16 innings so far, Baz will look to bounce back against the Diamondbacks at home next week in his next scheduled start.

The Twins recalled Morris from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Audra Martin of FanDuel Sports Network North reports.

Cody Laweryson (forearm) is set to spend at least the next couple of weeks on the injured list, so Morris will come up from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot. The 24-year-old righty has worked almost exclusively as a starter throughout his minor-league career but figures to act as a multi-inning reliever while with the Twins. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

Montero (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 2-0 victory over the Marlins, allowing two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Taking his second turn in the rotation in place of Justin Verlander (hip), Montero fired 55 of 80 pitches for strikes as he delivered his first quality start since July 7 of last season. The 25-year-old righty has looked very good since being called up, posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 10.1 innings, a performance that takes the pressure off Detroit to get Verlander back on the mound quickly. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer has a bullpen session scheduled for Saturday, and how he emerges from that will likely determine whether Montero will get the ball next week during a home series against the Royals.

Imai allowed three runs on one hit, four walks and a hit batsman over one-third of an inning in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners. He didn't record a strikeout.

Imai's control was absent Friday, as he threw just 17 of 37 pitches for strikes. The first run he allowed came on a wild pitch, and he hit Randy Arozarena with the bases loaded to force in the second run. Imai has had mixed results in his first taste of major-league action so far, pitching to a 7.27 ERA over 8.2 innings while adding a 13:11 K:BB. He's walked at least three batters in all three of his starts. Imai is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Rockies, as the Astros' injury-riddled rotation likely doesn't have the manpower to shelter him.

Hancock (2-1) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Astros.

The Mariners had a 3-0 lead after one inning, but Hancock gave it all back in the second on Christian Vazquez's three-run double. After that, Hancock settled in and got enough support to come away with his second win in three starts this season. The right-hander threw 56 of 88 pitches for strikes in this outing. While he missed out on a third straight quality start, he's still at a 2.04 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB across 17.2 innings to begin the season. Hancock is tentatively lined up for a road start in San Diego in his next outing, and he should remain in the rotation at least until Bryce Miller (oblique) can debut.

Early didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across 4.1 innings.

Early allowed the first three batters to reach in the bottom of the second inning but was able to escape with just one run allowed on a Victor Scott sacrifice fly. Early battled command issues most of the night but was able to work around it and got into the fifth inning before exiting with a 2-1 lead. Zack Kelly came on in relief and allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, and St. Louis took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning. Through three starts, Early owns a 2.63 ERA and 15:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He lines up to face the Twins on the road Wednesday.