MLB Player News

The Red Sox placed Bello (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he'll open the season on the shelf while he recovers from right forearm inflammation, Bello doesn't look as though he'll be in store for an extended absence. He tossed three innings in a minor-league spring game for Double-A Portland last Friday and should be ready to head out on a rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league regular season begins this weekend. Like Bello, fellow starting pitchers Garrett Whitlock (hip) and James Paxton (hamstring) are opening the season on the IL and are tracking toward similarly brief stays, so Bello may not be in line for a spot in the big-league rotation once he's formally activated.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

While he works his way back to full health following the right hip surgery he underwent last September, Whitlock will open the season on the shelf and miss his first turn through the rotation. Whitlock hasn't hit any snags in his recovery and most recently through a four-inning, 63-pitch outing in a minor-league game at spring training, so he already appears to be on his way to getting fully stretched out. He'll likely make a minor-league rehab start before coming off the IL when he's first eligible April 11 or shortly thereafter.

McCullers (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Astros GM Dana Brown said earlier this week he wasn't sure if McCullers would begin the season on the 60-day IL, but the club is apparently content to put him on the 15-day IL for now. The right-hander is dealing with a low-grade forearm strain and isn't expected to be ready for game action until May, at the earliest.

Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Thursday with a right middle fingernail avulsion.

Blackburn returned to throwing off a mound a few days ago and might not miss much time. With the right-hander sidelined, the A's are rolling with youngster Kyle Muller on Opening Day.

The Red Sox placed Paxton (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Paxton has been pain-free for a while but will get a late start to the season. The veteran left-hander is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday and is on track for a mid-April return.

McKenzie (arm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

The right-hander was shut down from throwing for two weeks after being diagnosed with a teres major muscle strain Monday, so his move to the injured list was inevitable. McKenzie is without a clear timeline for his return beyond the initial shutdown period, but he shouldn't be expected back until at least mid-May given the time required to build his arm back up.

Lorenzen (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed last week that Lorenzen would begin the season on the shelf due to the groin strain he was diagnosed with March 20, and that transaction is now official. The right-hander recently threw a bullpen session and could progress to facing live batters within the next week or two.

Lynch (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

The left-hander suffered a shoulder strain last week and will be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the season. Lynch was shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days, so he's poised to be re-evaluated in the near future.

The Yankees placed Montas (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though Montas will avoid a stint on the 60-day IL to begin the season, he likely remains a prime candidate to get transferred to that list as soon as the Yankees need to open up a 40-man roster spot for another player. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Feb. 21, Montas will be shut down from throwing until at least late May, and he'll require several weeks after that to get fully ramped back up following the lengthy layoff. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are stashing Montas shouldn't count on him being ready to make his 2023 debut until around the All-Star break, if not later.

The Athletics placed Rucinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a strained left hamstring.

Rucinski tweaked his hamstring a little over a week ago and it's unclear how much time he might miss. The right-hander should join the A's rotation when healthy.