MLB Player News

Messick has a 1.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB in 20.1 innings over his last four starts for Triple-A Columbus.

Messick's 11.3 percent walk rate in his first year at Triple-A is the worst mark of his career, but his 33.3 percent strikeout rate trails only Bubba Chandler among qualified International League starters. Messick is a bulky 6-foot lefty with a plus changeup and a fastball that ranges from 89-to-94 mph. He throws the kitchen sink at hitters, and it's been keeping Triple-A batters off balance, especially lately. Messick could get a chance in the majors this summer, although he is not yet on the 40-man roster.

Montero is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Sean Guenther in Monday's game in St. Louis, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Cardinals typically use two left-handed batters -- Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan -- among their top three spots in the lineup, so the Tigers will have the left-handed Guenther open the game with the hope of stymieing the St. Louis offense early on. Guenther is unlikely to work more than a couple of innings before giving way to Montero, who will be making his second straight appearance in a bulk-relief role after covering 3.1 frames and giving up three earned runs out of the bullpen last Tuesday against the Red Sox. Montero should stick around as the de facto fifth member of the Detroit rotation until Casey Mize (hamstring) is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list.

Rocker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment later this week as long as he bounces back well from a two-inning live batting practice session he threw Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker's stuff looked "good" Sunday, adding that the right-hander's rehab assignment will be a lengthy one as he gets stretched back out following a three-week shutdown period. Rocker has been out for almost four weeks with a right shoulder impingement. He logged an 8.10 ERA in his first five starts this season before the injury and wouldn't seem to be guaranteed a spot in the Texas rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.

Gordon is scheduled to start Monday's series opener versus the Rays in Tampa.

Gordon will be awarded a second turn through the rotation after he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land last Wednesday to make his MLB debut. He settled for a no-decision in his first start after giving up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in the Astros' 4-3 win over the Royals. The Astros are likely to continue maintaining a six-man rotation this week, but Houston may have room for just one of Gordon and Ryan Gusto if manager Joe Espada decides to scale the rotation back to five men next week.

Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis said Sunday that the organization has put together a draft of the rehabilitation calendar for Bieber (elbow), Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Willis and other decision makers were pleased with the results of Bieber's live batting practice session Friday, and the coach said the next phase of the right-hander's rehab could begin "very soon." A likely opening scenario involves Bieber appearing in a rookie-level game in the Arizona Complex League. Looking out further, the pitcher could move his rehab to minor league affiliates in what will likely be a multi-week progression.

Gil (lat) is on track with his throwing program and is targeting a return to the mound within the next 1-to-2 weeks, per MLB.com.

Gil sustained a right lat strain in late February, resulting in a trip to the injured list to begin the campaign. The right-hander kicked off a throwing program in late April and appears to be making gradual but steady progress toward a return. If Gil continues to move forward without any setbacks, he could be pitching for the Yankees sometime in June.

Brubaker (ribs) struck out three batters and gave up one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday with High-A Hudson Valley.

Making the first start of what could an extended rehab assignment, Brubaker tossed 37 pitches (23 strikes). The right-hander spent the entire 2024 season on the shelf while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and though he was cleared for the start of spring training, he broke three ribs when he was hit by a comebacker in a Feb. 21 Grapefruit League game. Expect Brubaker to eventually move his assignment up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list in early or mid-June.

Fried didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's win over the Mets, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six innings.

Fried's excellent start to 2025 continued Sunday, as he notched his seventh quality start in his last eight appearances while allowing no extra-base hits. The 31-year-old has yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start this season and has punched out eight or more hitters in three outings. Fried is tied for the league lead in wins (six) and sits atop MLB in ERA (1.29) among qualified players.

Oritz (2-5) yielded two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out seven and taking a loss against the Reds.

Ortiz worked around some danger to keep Cincinnati off the board for three innings before serving up a two-run shot to Will Benson in the fourth. Ortiz has struck out at least seven batters in five of his nine starts this season, resulting in a 56:23 K:BB through 48.1 frames. He threw 100 pitches for the third time this season and generated 16 whiffs, including nine with his slider. Ortiz will carry a 4.66 ERA into his next matchup, which is projected to be in Detroit.

Bello (2-1) took the loss against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and five walks with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings

Bello dealt with constant traffic on the basepaths and managed just 52 strikes on 92 pitches, generating only four whiffs. After allowing only seven earned runs over his first five starts, the 26-year-old has now failed to complete five innings in three consecutive outings. He'll carry a 4.02 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 20:19 K:BB across 31.1 innings into a home matchup with the Orioles next weekend.