MLB Player News

Javier was lifted from Wednesday's start in Colorado after just one inning due to right shoulder tightness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

AJ Blubaugh was warming in the Astros' bullpen before Javier even took the field before the second inning, so it seems the club knew something was off. Javier then threw a warm-up pitch, motioned to the dugout and eventually exited, with Blubaugh entering the game. If Javier needs to go on the injured list, Blubaugh is a candidate to absorb his rotation spot.

The Guardians returned Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Cleveland called Allen up from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and designated him as its 27th man for a doubleheader with the Cubs, but he went unused out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill. He'll slot back into the rotation upon returning to Columbus.

Manoah (finger) has been throwing bullpen sessions with all of his pitches at the Angels' spring complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Manoah landed on the injured list in late March after his fingernail fell off following a Cactus League start. He's back to throwing, though it's unclear what the Angels will do with the veteran hurler once he's ready to return to game action. Manoah struggled mightily during spring play, posting a 9.39 ERA and 2.41 WHIP with a 13:14 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning five outings.

The Rangers list deGrom (knee) as their probable starter for Sunday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Earlier Wednesday, deGrom relayed that he was already feeling much better, after he had experienced discomfort in his right knee before and during his most recent start in Monday's 2-1 win over the Mariners. The Rangers seemingly concur with deGrom's self-assessment, and barring a setback during his between-starts bullpen session, he'll receive the green light to take the hill on five days' rest during the series finale at Dodger Stadium. Through his first two outings this season, deGrom has submitted a 3.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB in 9.2 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) said Tuesday that he hopes to begin throwing from a mound within the next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation and "dead arm" since mid-March. He's been throwing up to 150 feet and stated Tuesday that he thinks he'll be ready to toss a bullpen session within the next week. Even if he's able to do so, the right-handed hurler is probably still multiple weeks away from a return, but he does seem to be making progress. "The arm is definitely getting strong quick," Rodriguez said Tuesday. "When I feel like I'm ready to throw the ball as hard as I want to throw it, that'll let me know. But with how I've been progressing the last week to two weeks, it's really given me a lot of confidence."

The Blue Jays confirmed Scherzer (forearm) as their starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Twins in Toronto, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto received some rare good news for its injury-ravaged rotation, as Scherzer looks like he won't end up missing a turn after he had been contending with right forearm tendinitis leading up to his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Dodgers. Though Scherzer was removed when the injury flared up after he pitched just two innings, he's apparently responded well to treatment over the last couple of days. Barring a setback coming out of his between-starts bullpen session Friday, Scherzer should be able to handle a relatively standard workload Sunday.

Avila is available to pitch out of the Royals' bullpen beginning Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Avila struggled in a spot start Saturday versus the Brewers, yielding five runs on eight hits and three walks in three innings. There's no longer a need for him in the rotation, but with the Royals' bullpen a bit short-handed, Avila will help out in relief for now rather than rejoin the rotation at Triple-A Omaha.

The Rays placed Rasmussen (personal) on the paternity list Wednesday.

Rasmussen had been slated to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs, but he ended up being scratched hours before first pitch after his wife went into labor sooner than anticipated. Tampa Bay didn't have a player available to replace Rasmussen on the roster Tuesday and opted to wait until Wednesday to deactivate him, with Jesse Scholtens now being recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Rasmussen will rejoin the Rays no later than Saturday, and he'll likely be in line to make a start at some point during the team's weekend home series versus the Yankees.

DeGrom said Wednesday that his injured right knee is feeling better, and he expects to be ready to start when his next turn through the rotation comes up this weekend against the Dodgers, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

DeGrom experienced discomfort in his right knee during his most recent outing Monday against the Mariners, prompting the Rangers to send him in for a precautionary MRI. The MRI revealed no structural damage, and with deGrom's knee having already shown improvement, the right-hander appears to be on track to avoid a stint on the injured list. The Rangers will likely wait and see how deGrom fares during a bullpen session later this week before locking him in for his next start, which will likely come Sunday.

Povich will start Sunday's game against the Giants, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

After Brandon Young made a spot start in place of the injured Zach Eflin (elbow) on Monday, it will be Povich getting a turn this weekend. Povich made one extended relief appearance Sunday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on four hits and a 2:3 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The left-hander will have an opportunity to make additional starts if he pitches well.