MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez is closing in on a return from the 15-day injured list after the Blue Jays deactivated him April 30 due to thoracic spine inflammation. The Blue Jays appear to be prepping for Rodriguez to take on a starting role upon his return from the IL -- or are at least keeping him available as a rotation option -- as MLB.com notes that the organization wants him to push his pitch count up to 75 before he's activated. In his most recent rehab start with Buffalo last Wednesday, Rodriguez tossed 43 pitches over three shutout innings, then tossed 15 more pitches in a bullpen session immediately upon leaving the game. If he's able to add around 15 more pitches to his workload Tuesday, Rodriguez could get the green light to rejoin the big club as soon as the upcoming weekend. Should the Blue Jays choose to include Rodriguez in their rotation, he would likely unseat Bowden Francis as the No. 5 starter, though even in that scenario, Toronto could deploy the two pitchers as a piggyback tandem like it did earlier in the season.

Sandoval did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Astros, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings.

Sandoval started out with two scoreless frames before the Astros manufactured three runs in the third on two walks and four hits. He then gave up a run-scoring double from Jose Abreu in the sixth before exiting the game for good. Abreu would end up scoring that inning as well. Sandoval just missed out on a third straight start of reaching six innings and the eight hits given up were his most since he allowed 11 on May 12. Walks also continue to be an issue for the left-hander, as he's allowed at least three walks in four of his last five starts. Sandoval now owns a 5.23 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 75:31 K:BB in 72.1 innings this year and lines up to take the mound again versus the Giants over the weekend.

Silseth (elbow) struck out seven over four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and no walks in his second rehab start Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Silseth has now turned in seven scoreless frames over his first two rehab outings in Arizona. Though Silseth has yet to walk a batter in either start, he hasn't exhibited pristine control, as he's uncorked two wild pitches and has hit two batters between those contests. More importantly, however, Silseth hasn't experienced any setbacks with his right elbow and has continued to increase his workload. He built up to 56 pitches Thursday and could reach the 70-pitch mark in his third rehab start, which will likely come Tuesday or Wednesday with a yet-to-be-determined affiliate. After he completes his next rehab start, Silseth could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list and slot back into the Angels rotation.

Verlander did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three over five innings.

Verlander had another pedestrian outing against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. The positives were that he didn't allow a home run or walk a batter, though he did give up seven hits for a second straight start and isn't missing many bats, evidenced by his 2.9 swinging strike percentage Sunday. Verlander has just seven strikeouts over his last 10 innings, and this is after coming off of back-to-back nine-strikeout performances to end May. The 41-year-old will take a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB (57 innings) into his next start against the Tigers over the weekend.

Flaherty (back) is expected to make his next start during the Tigers' three-game series in Houston that begins Friday, MLB.com reports.

Flaherty was forced out of his most recent start against the Rangers this past Tuesday, when he tossed five scoreless innings before being lifted on account of back tightness. The right-hander downplayed his injury when he addressed the media after the game and said that he expected to make his next start in Tuesday's series opener versus the Nationals, but the Tigers have since elected to err on the side of caution and give Flaherty a few extra days to recover. Detroit will take advantage of Monday's off day to reshuffle the rotation, with Kenta Maeda, Reese Olson and Casey Mize picking up starts Tuesday through Thursday before Flaherty and ace Tarik Skubal start the first two games of the series in Houston in some order. Though Flaherty looks like he won't be operating under any restrictions against the Astros after playing catch Friday and throwing a bullpen session Sunday without issue, the change in the pitching order means that he'll miss out on a two-start week.

Macko could get promoted to Triple-A Buffalo in the near future, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old southpaw, acquired from Seattle two offseasons ago, is having a strong campaign with Double-A New Hampshire thanks to improved control. He's found another gear over the last month, posting a 2.81 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 46:7 K:BB through his last six starts and 32 innings. Macko features a mid-90s fastball and a big curveball, but it's the development of his changeup and sweeper that will determine whether he can ultimately thrive in a big-league rotation.

Scherzer (back/arm) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over four scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Scherzer restarted a rehab assignment after experiencing a setback late in April. He cruised through 53 pitches (37 strikes), induced 14 whiffs, and registered a fastball velocity of 94.8 mph, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Maeda (abdomen) is listed as the Tigers' probable pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Nationals at Comerica Park.

Maeda threw just two pitches before he exited his most recent start last Wednesday against the Rangers due to right abdominal discomfort, resulting in the Tigers going with an impromptu bullpen day featuring five relievers. Fortunately for the veteran right-hander and the Tigers, Maeda appears to have come out of the abbreviated start with little more than mild soreness, and he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation on five days' rest. After inking a two-year, $24 million deal this winter, Maeda has gotten off to a rough start to his tenure with the Tigers, logging a 6.25 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 40.1 innings while also spending time on the injured list due to a viral illness.

Gil did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 5.2 innings.

Gil held the Dodgers in check through the first four innings, but they broke through in the fifth on a two-run double from Mookie Betts. Teoscar Hernandez would add to that with a solo home run in the sixth, leading to Gil's exit. Sunday was the first time Gil had given up more than one run in a start since he allowed five against the Brewers on April 26. The Yankees are now 11-2 in games started by Gil, and he'll carry a magnificent 2.04 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 90:35 K:BB (75 innings) into a showdown versus the Red Sox over the weekend.

Varland and Caleb Boushley are the two leading candidates to be called up from Triple-A St. Paul to make a spot start Tuesday against the Rockies in Minnesota, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins will give each member of their rotation an extra day of rest between starts by adding a spot starter in the mix Tuesday. Varland hasn't had much success in the minors since he lost the Twins' fifth-starter role and was sent to Triple-A in April. He owns a 5.31 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB in 40.2 innings at St. Paul this season.