MLB Player News

Blackburn (finger) threw 40 pitches in Monday's side session, and will head to Low-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment shortly, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw two "double up" sessions while throwing 20 in each. Blackburn is currently on the injured list with a right middle fingernail avulsion. It's possible that he will need to make multiple rehab starts because he hasn't been on the mound since early in March, but Blackburn should be able to rejoin the Oakland rotation by the end of April if there are no setbacks.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that the team is hoping Brown will be able to throw between 85 and 90 pitches and/or go five innings for Monday's start against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown was shut down this spring with lower-back tightness and is making his first start of the season, so it's not a surprise that he'll be limited in Monday's start. Even with the restrictions he has a chance to be a solid contributor against a Detroit lineup with plenty of holes that was overmatched against the Tampa Bay staff over the weekend.

Kopech took the loss Monday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings of work against the Giants. He struck out five.

Kopech could not keep the ball in the park during Monday's loss, as five San Francisco hitters took him deep before his exit. The right-hander fell behind in counts consistently through his 4.2 frames, as he threw first strikes to hitters just 13 out of 25 attempts. It's a disappointing first outing for Kopech after some high praise for his work this spring, but he'll get a chance to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled for Sunday against the Pirates.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Brito could return to the Yankees on April 12 when they need a No. 5 starter, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Brito was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his MLB debut Sunday, but it had nothing to do with how he pitched. The right-hander gave up just two hits over five scoreless frames while picking up a victory over the Giants, but the Yankees won't need a fifth starter until next week. Assuming Luis Severino (lat) isn't ready to come off the injured list, it would be a surprise if anyone but Brito was starting for New York next Wednesday.

Lorenzen (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lorenzen was cleared for rehab games after he got through a live batting practice session and pitchers' fielding practice Monday with no issues. He's missed a few weeks with a left groin strain, so Lorenzen figures to require a couple rehab starts before joining the Tigers' rotation.

Lorenzen (groin) threw live batting practice and went through PFP drills Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Assuming he comes out of the workout with no concerns, Lorenzen seems poised to begin a rehab assignment soon. He hasn't pitched in a game since mid-March, so the right-hander would figure to need a couple rehab outings before joining the Tigers' rotation. Joey Wentz is currently filling his rotation spot.

The Yankees transferred Montas (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

After Montas underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February, he was handed an estimated 12-week recovery timeline before potentially resuming a throwing program, so the move to the 60-day IL won't affect his return date. Instead, the transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Ian Hamilton, whose contract was selected from the minors in a corresponding move.

Perez (1-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on eight hits and three walks over 5.2 innings in a 2-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out seven.

Perez was far from perfect Sunday, but he was able to dial up timely double plays and get strikeouts when he needed to. The veteran left-hander was stellar for Texas in 2022, posting a 2.89 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with a 169:69 K:BB across 196.1 innings (32 starts), and he'll look to build off that in 2023.

Eovaldi, who was hit on the right leg by a comebacker Saturday, said he had no residual effects Sunday and remains scheduled to start Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi wasn't at his best but didn't need to be, as Texas gave him plenty of support in a 16-3 win over Philadelphia.

Gonzales did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a loss to the Guardians. He struck out one.

Gonzales made just three spring starts this year and didn't toss more than 48 pitches in any of those outings. While the southpaw wasn't particularly sharp during his regular-season debut Sunday, he threw 69 pitches against the Guardians, an encouraging mark given his limited Cactus League work. He projects for a rematch against the Guardians on the road Saturday.