MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Mahle (elbow) will face live hitters Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Bochy noted that Wednesday's workout will be the first of four live batting practice sessions that Mahle will complete as he works his way back from his May 22, 2023 Tommy John surgery. If Mahle incurs no setbacks during the live sessions, he'll likely then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment that could last close to the maximum 30 days. Mahle looks to be tracking for a return from the 60-day injured list at some point shortly after the All-Star break.

Javier (forearm) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander landed on the injured list in late May due to right forearm discomfort and is now set to miss the rest of the 2024 campaign. Javier will also be sidelined until at least the second half of 2025 as he rehabs from the surgery. It's been a rough week for Houston pitchers, as Jose Urquidy (elbow) is also in danger of needing the procedure.

The Athletics transferred Blackburn (foot) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.

Blackburn landed on the injured list May 13 following a stress reaction in his right foot, and his move to the 60-day IL makes it more than likely he remains sidelined through the All-Star break. The 30-year-old righty has been in a walking boot for the past several weeks but is slated to be re-evaluated by the Athletics during their current homestand. Once the team is able to take a closer look at him, plans for a throwing program may begin to form.

Gray (groin) threw 40-to-50 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reported Tuesday.

Gray will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, and if all goes well, manager Bruce Bochy said the right-hander could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday versus the Giants, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Once Gray is reinstated, Jose Urena will likely be pushed out of the rotation.

Scherzer (back/arm) threw a 40-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

It's the first time he's faced hitters since he had to be pulled off a rehab assignment in early May following a nerve problem with his throwing arm. Scherzer -- who initially went on the injured list as he recovered from offseason back surgery -- said after Tuesday's session that he's hoping his next step will be to make a rehab start. There remains no timetable for the 38-year-old return to the Rangers' rotation, but things are trending up.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cole (elbow) will require "at least a few" minor-league rehab starts before returning from the 60-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cole will make his first rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Somerset and is slated to throw 40-to-50 pitches in that outing. Assuming he adds around 10-to-15 pitches to each of his subsequent rehab starts, the righty would presumably require two additional outings at a minimum after Tuesday's appearance before slotting back into the Yankees rotation. With that in mind, Cole doesn't appear on track to make his 2024 Yankees debut until at least late June, provided he checks out fine physically during his rehab assignment. Cole is working his way back from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow.

The Blue Jays activated Francis (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis is in line for bulk-relief duties in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, following opener Trevor Richards. The right-hander has been out since late April with forearm tendinitis, having posted a 8.59 ERA and 17:7 K:BB in 14.2 innings across two starts and three relief appearances before being sidelined.

Cueto has agreed to push back the opt-out date of his minor-league contract with the Rangers to June 14, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston reports.

The two sides have also agreed to a second opt-out date of July 1. Cueto could have exercised the initial opt-out clause in his minor-league contract June 1, and there probably would have been interest in the 38-year-old after he posted a 2.40 ERA in three starts with Triple-A Round Rock. However, Cueto has ultimately decided to stay put, at least for now.

Teheran agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The veteran right-hander opted out of his minor-league deal with the Cubs over the weekend and didn't take long to latch on with a new team. Teheran has just one appearance in the big leagues this season and has struggled to an 8.82 ERA over eight starts at the Triple-A level. The Orioles are in dire need of rotation depth due to Tyler Wells (elbow) and John Means (elbow) both recently being ruled out for the season.

Rodriguez (6-2) picked up the win Monday against Toronto, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and zero walks while striking out four over 6.2 innings.

The only earned run allowed by Rodriguez was a solo home run by Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth inning. The 24-year-old set a new season-best with 6.2 innings pitched Monday, turning in his fifth quality start of the season. Rodriguez has found his groove over his past five starts -- in that span, the right-hander owns a 2.16 ERA and 31:12 K:BB in 29.1 innings. Rodriguez will look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for this weekend in Tampa.