MLB Player News

Basso (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a 15-pitch bullpen session this week, MLB.com reports.

Basso will be getting back on a mound for the first time since being shut down from throwing in early April after being diagnosed with a left shoulder strain. Since the Athletics are still presumably planning on having Basso build up as a starter during his rehab program, he likely won't be ready to come off the 60-day injured list in late May when first eligible, though a June return might be feasible.

Ginn (elbow) is expected to report to Triple-A Las Vegas this week to begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Placed on the injured list April 26 due to right elbow inflammation, Ginn was shut down for a brief period of time before resuming throwing. After completing a 30-pitch live bullpen session Friday without issue, Ginn will head to Las Vegas and may need just one rehab start before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Gunnar Hoglund has made two turns through the big-league rotation as a replacement for Ginn but may be in line for just one more start with the Athletics before Ginn is activated.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Gordon is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Wednesday's game against the Royals in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston recently kicked off a stretch of 17 games in as many days and are planning to at least temporarily maintain a six-man rotation to provide each starter with additional rest between outings. Hayden Wesneski's (elbow) move to the injured list Friday has created an opening in the rotation, and Gordon looks to be the most realistic option to fill the void. Gordon has yet to make his MLB debut, but he seems to have little left to prove at the Triple-A level after ringing up a 2.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB in 42.1 innings over his eight starts with Sugar Land.

Cecconi (oblique) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out three over 5.2 innings for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

This was Cecconi's third rehab start and best to date. He worked into the sixth inning and threw 68 pitches (48 strikes). Through his three outings, Cecconi has allowed seven runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 13 innings. Most encouraging is that he's not allowed a home run, which has been an issue for the right-hander. There currently isn't an obvious spot for Cecconi in the Guardians' rotation, which suggests he may join the Clippers' rotation once activated.

Kirby (shoulder) completed his second minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in three innings, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby threw 54 pitches (36 strikes) Saturday, and his fastball touched 97 mph. The hard-throwing right-hander is next expected to make a third rehab appearance while he enters the final stages of his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. If all continues to go well, Kirby should be able to make his season debut for the Mariners at some point before the end of May.

Severino (1-4) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two in four innings.

Severino got through the opening frame unscathed but was roughed up for five runs in the second while needing 37 pitches to complete the inning. He made it into the fifth but was relieved after allowing back-to-back singles. Both runners would end up scoring as part of another five-run inning for the Yankees. Sunday was just the second time this season Severino has failed to reach six innings, while his nine hits allowed marked a new season high. Sunday was also the third time Severino has allowed five runs or more in six starts at home this year. He'll aim to bounce back on the road versus the Giants over the weekend.

Ortiz (2-4) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Phillies.

Ortiz logged his third quality start of the season, with the lone blemish being a Kyle Schwarber solo shot in the second inning. Two of those quality starts have been in Ortiz's last three outings, though he had a clunker in between those efforts by allowing six runs (five earned) to the Nationals on Tuesday. Ortiz's overall numbers are still rather pedestrian -- he's at a 4.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB through 43.1 innings over eight starts, but he has shown flashes of potential. The 26-year-old's next start is projected to be at Cincinnati.

Anderson (2-1) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings.

Anderson got tagged in the opening frame for a double and a triple (one of the hits dropped after it was lost in the sun) but escaped allowing only one run after punching out a pair. Anderson kept the Orioles at bay over the next three frames, but an error to begin the fifth awarded them two unearned runs before his day was done. It was his first time in his last five starts not reaching six innings but also his first time since April 18 not allowing a home run. Anderson's allowed three runs or fewer in every outing thus far but will have his hands full against the Dodgers on the road over the weekend.

Miller (2-4) allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over five-plus innings to take the loss versus the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Miller struggled throughout the 92-pitch outing, though the game didn't get out of hand until he allowed a three-run home run to George Springer in the fifth inning. The seven runs allowed were a season high for Miller, who has also given up four runs on three other occasions. He's now at a 5.22 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB through 39.2 innings over eight starts, and he's yet to complete six innings in any of them. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in San Diego.

Urena allowed one run on two hits and a walk while failing to record a strikeout over two-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Urena was making his second start with the Blue Jays after giving up two runs over 4.1 innings to the Angels on Tuesday. He made it just once through the Mariners' lineup Sunday, which looks like it may have been planned -- he threw 31 pitches (19 strikes) in this outing compared to 74 pitches Tuesday. The Blue Jays have yet to reveal their pitching plans for the week ahead, but it's possible Urena could be shifting into an opener or piggyback role rather than functioning as a traditional starter.