MLB Player News

Baz (elbow/oblique) worked 1.2 innings and struck out one while allowing three earned runs on one hit and five walks Friday in his second rehab start with Triple-A Durham.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Baz's control has been spotty in his first two rehab starts in his first game action since July 2022 following a prolonged recovery from Tommy John surgery and two minor setbacks with his oblique. After working three innings and spotting 22 of his 39 pitches for strikes in his start with Durham on May 4, Baz found the strike zone on just 29 of his 59 pitches Friday and also hit a batter in addition to issuing five free passes. The fact that Baz was able to increase his pitch count was a positive takeaway, but he'll still need to improve his efficiency as he continues his buildup process in the minors. Baz will presumably need at least two more rehab starts before he returns from the 15-day injured list and makes his 2024 debut with the Rays.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Brown will make a start during the team's three-game home series versus the Brewers this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada didn't specify which day Brown will start, but Friday's series opener looks like the logical target for him to slot back into the rotation. Brown's spot in the rotation looked to be on thin ice after he supplied an 8.89 ERA and 2.20 WHIP over 27.1 innings in his first seven starts of the season, prompting the Astros to skip over his turn this past week. The right-hander was available out of the bullpen for the weekend series in Detroit and excelled in long relief behind Cristian Javier in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers, tossing five innings of one-run ball while tying his season high with seven strikeouts. Houston will move to a six-man rotation this week to accommodate Brown, but he may still need a strong showing against Milwaukee to ensure he sticks in a starting role moving forward, especially with Jose Urquidy's (forearm) return from the injured list on the horizon.

Bradford (ribs) played catch Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

According to MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Bradford could be cleared to begin throwing off a mound at some point later on this week during the Rangers' six-game homestand. Bradford was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 14 with lower-back soreness, but follow-up tests revealed that the southpaw had a "very small" stress fracture on the 12th rib on the right side of his body. Bochy said that the Rangers are expecting Bradford to be sidelined for another month, which would put him in line for a return around the middle of June. Bradford went 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts prior to landing on the IL, but the Rangers may not have a rotation spot available for him once he's healthy.

Medina (knee) is scheduled to throw around 45 pitches Wednesday in a simulated game at extended spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The upcoming sim game will likely represent the final hurdle for Medina to clear in his recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain before he heads out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. With injuries mounting in the Oakland rotation, Medina should have a starting role with the big club waiting for him once he gets fully stretched out in the minors.

Wood has been sent back to Oakland to have his left shoulder evaluated, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wood was dealing with shoulder soreness during his start in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners, and the injury seems to be one that's been a problem for him for a while. A stint on the injured list would appear to be a distinct possibility for Wood, but the team is unlikely to make a decision on his status until his evaluation is completed. If Wood isn't able to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Kansas City, the Athletics would likely turn to Kyle Muller or Mitch Spence to start in his place.

Waldichuk will undergo left elbow surgery Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk elected to have a more conservative procedure after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain and flexor strain last October, but he recently had a setback and will require another operation. The Athletics won't provide more details until Waldichuk's surgery is completed Wednesday, but the upcoming procedure promises to be more invasive and will likely prevent him from pitching this season.

Flexen and the White Sox won't play Monday against the Nationals after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday, with Flexen taking the mound for the first game. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2-3 record over six starts this season with a 4.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 35.2 innings.

Eovaldi (groin) could be ready to throw off a mound this weekend, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Eovaldi did some more flat-ground throwing Monday and might be ready to take the next step forward by getting back on a mound to toss a bullpen session. While he looks to be trending in the right direction, Eovaldi doesn't look as though he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Saturday. He's coming back from a strained right groin.

Francis (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis is slated for two innings and/or 40-to-45 pitches in the outing. While Francis looks like he'll be stretched back out as a starter on his rehab assignment, he appears more likely to fill a long-relief role once he returns from the 15-day injured list.

Rodriguez (back) threw a bullpen session Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He's slated for another bullpen session in the coming days and might be ready for a rehab assignment after that as he recovers from thoracic spine inflammation. Rodriguez had been starting for the Blue Jays before going on the 15-day injured list, but it's uncertain if he'll reclaim his rotation spot from Alek Manoah by the time he's activated.