MLB Player News

Waldichuk (elbow) threw a live batting practice session at the Athletics' spring training complex Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk's throwing session consisted entirely of fastballs and changeups, so he'll still need to throw breaking pitches against hitters before the Athletics clear him for a rehab assignment. The southpaw is bouncing back from May 2024 Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until July.

Ginn (quadriceps) was cleared to resume throwing shortly after landing on the 15-day injured list May 20, but he's without a clear target date for being activated, MLB.com reports.

Ginn is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday, and though it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by that date, the Athletics don't believe he'll need too much time beyond then before returning to action. While Ginn has been on the shelf, Jacob Lopez has stepped in to fill his spot in the rotation, making two starts and producing an 8.31 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 8.2 innings.

The Blue Jays recalled Lucas from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Lucas was demoted to Buffalo in late April after posting a 7.41 ERA in 17 innings through his first four starts. His performance in Triple-A since then hasn't been much better (5.88 ERA in 26 innings), but he'll get the call back to Toronto anyway to replace Jose Urena, who was DFA'd by the Jays in a corresponding move. Lucas will presumably work as a long reliever while in the big leagues.

Fermin (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate Saturday.

Fermin landed on the 15-day injured list May 15 due to a right elbow impingement. He was able to begin a throwing program last week and has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment, making an early-June activation off the IL a possibility. Fermin posted a 5.87 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB across 7.2 innings prior to his injury.

The Athletics recalled Bido from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Bido owns a 5.82 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 43.1 innings in the majors this season and allowed five runs in five frames during his most recent outing in Triple-A. Despite his performance, he'll return to the big-league pitching staff to replace Anthony Maldonado, which suggests the A's may look to use Bido out of the bullpen going forward.

Rocker (shoulder) allowed one walk and struck out five over four hitless and scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Rocker was untouchable, retiring the first 12 batters faced before issuing a walk to lead off the fifth inning. That ended his night. It was Rocker's second rehab appearance, which followed three scoreless innings for Double-A Midland a week prior. After the Midland game, Texas manager Bruce Bochy estimated the right-hander would need a few more starts, and that may still be the case. Rocker threw 53 pitches in the Round Rock start.

Lugo (3-5) took the loss Friday as the Royals fell 7-5 to the Tigers, coughing up four runs on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start since May 11 after recovering from a finger issue on his pitching hand, Lugo's control and command weren't at their sharpest -- he managed only three swinging strikes among his 69 pitches (42 total strikes), and he was taken deep by Riley Greene in the first inning and Dillon Dingler in the second. Lugo has served up 11 long balls in only 60 innings this season, a huge regression from the 16 in 206.2 regular-season innings he allowed in 2024, but so far he's been able to limit the damage. He'll take a 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in St. Louis.

Mize didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 win over the Royals, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander needed 79 pitches (49 strikes) to record just 10 outs in his shortest start of the season, but Mize was never in danger of taking a loss thanks to plenty of early offensive support from the Tigers. Since returning from an IL stint due to a hamstring strain, he's been tagged for five runs (four earned) in only 8.1 innings over two outings, but a 10:3 K:BB suggests his luck could turn soon. Mize will look to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road next week against the White Sox.

Valdez (5-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over nine innings in a 2-1 victory over the Rays. He struck out nine.

The southpaw delivered his second complete game of the season, and the ninth of his career, on just 83 pitches (59 total strikes) while racking up an impressive 30 called or swinging strikes. The lone blemish on Valdez's line was a leadoff homer by Jose Caballero. Valdez has reeled off five straight quality starts, posting a 1.70 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 37 innings over that stretch, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Pittsburgh.

Pepiot came away with a no-decision Friday, scattering two hits and a walk over 6.2 scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to the Astros. He struck out four.

The right-hander faced the minimum number of batters through four innings and didn't let a runner get into scoring position while he was on the mound, exiting with a 1-0 lead after 93 pitches (61 strikes). The Tampa Bay bullpen cost Pepiot his fourth win of the season, however, and he had to settle for his fifth straight quality start and eighth of the season. He'll take a 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:20 K:BB through 70 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Rangers.