MLB Player News

Morton (1-7) earned the win Monday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Not only did the veteran right-hander secure his first win, but he also collected his first quality start with this vintage 86-pitch performance. The lone blemish on Morton's outing was a 368-foot, two-run homer off the bat of Pedro Pages in the fifth inning. After pitching to a ghastly 9.38 ERA across his first 31.2 frames, Morton has been better of late, firing a 2.35 ERA and 17:4 K:BB over his last 15.1 innings. The 41-year-old receives a soft matchup for his next start, which currently lines up to be at home against the White Sox this weekend.

Manoah (elbow) has built up to 40 pitches during regular twice-a-week bullpen sessions as he recovers from elbow surgery, Mitch Bannon of the Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays haven't provided a timeline for the right-hander to begin a rehab assignment, but the team still appears to be targeting an early August return for Manoah after he underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure last June. In the meantime, the 27-year-old will continue with his throwing program and focus on keeping his mechanics in sync and regaining a feel for his pitches. Through five starts in 2024 before being shut down, Manoah posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB in 24.1 innings, and he could provide a late-season boost to a Blue Jays rotation that's struggled to find a reliable fifth starter this season.

Bieber (elbow) will make his first rehab start Saturday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, SI.com reports.

Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery April 12, 2024, has been throwing to hitters in Arizona since the start of May and is now ready to begin his rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander will need a lengthy ramp-up period, and it's possible his rehab will move up to a full-season affiliate after Saturday's outing.

Brubaker (ribs) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Somerset, covering 2.2 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks. He didn't strike out a batter in the outing.

After tossing three scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance with High-A Hudson Valley on May 18, Brubaker was cleared to move up a level for his second start. Though he recorded one fewer out Friday compared to his previous outing, Brubaker pushed his pitch count up from 37 to 49. Brubaker wasn't particularly efficient, however, throwing just 26 strikes and inducing only four swings and misses. The Yankees look as though they'll let Brubaker continue to get stretched out for a starting role during his rehab assignment, but it's unclear if the big club will have a spot available for him in the rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Marcus Stroman (knee) and Gerrit Cole (lat) are further behind in their rehab programs and aren't likely to be activated until the second half of June, but Ryan Yarbrough has performed well of late as the team's No. 5 starter and may not be dislodged by Brubaker.

Fitts (pectoral) is expected to make his next rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Fitts made his first rehab start Thursday with Double-A Portland, throwing 38 pitches and completing three scoreless innings while allowing four hits with zero walks and two strikeouts. After a doubleheader this past weekend, the Red Sox don't have an existing starter on regular rest for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, and the possibility exists that Fitts could return from the injured list to pitch in that game rather than reporting to Worcester. If so, that would likely be an abbreviated start, given Fitts' limited pitch count in his most recent outing with Portland.

Fermin (elbow) began a throwing program Thursday, per MLB.com.

Fermin was shut down from throwing for a few days after landing on the 15-day IL with a right elbow impingement May 18, but he's since been able to resume playing catch. Fermin's IL stint was backdated to May 15, which means he's eligible to return May 30, though an early-June activation is probably more likely.

Stroman (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Stroman has struggled to overcome soreness in his left knee, but tests have shown no structural damage, and he threw a side session Saturday without issue. Should the right-hander get through Tuesday's bullpen session without a setback, he could be in line for a return from the 15-day injured list in the first half of June. It's unclear if Stroman will immediately return to the rotation, however, as both Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough have been pitching well, while JT Brubaker (ribs) recently began a rehab assignment and Luis Gil (lat) is approaching a return to the mound as well.

Warren didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over four innings.

Warren punched out seven batters for a fifth straight start despite throwing just 57 pitches before a rain delay halted the game in the top of the fifth frame. The 26-year-old settled in after a shaky first inning when he loaded the bases with no outs. Colorado scored a pair of runs in the frame, but he avoided further damage by retiring three straight batters to end the inning. In his last five appearances, Warren has a 2.70 ERA and a 41:8 K:BB across 26.2 innings. He's scheduled to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles next weekend.

Hoglund didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Philadelphia, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out two.

Hoglund set a season low in strikeouts Sunday and walked multiple batters for a third consecutive outing. The rookie's ERA has ballooned to 5.13 through five starts despite allowing just three runs over 11.1 innings during his first two appearances. Hoglund notched a 10:1 K:BB in his first two outings but now owns a 22:9 K:BB overall. He'll look to bounce back next time out, though he's tentatively scheduled for a matchup in Toronto against the Blue Jays, who average 4.54 runs per game at home.

Allen (2-3) took the loss Sunday in Detroit after giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The left-hander kept the Tigers off the board through three innings but fell apart in the fourth, as Detroit scored five runs on five hits, a hit-by-pitch and an error. Allen has now failed to cover five frames in three of his past four starts, though it's worth noting that one of those outings was cut short due to inclement weather. The 26-year-old has a 4.31 ERA through 10 starts this year, and his 1.63 WHIP and 36:25 K:BB aren't encouraging.