MLB Player News

Kauffmann was scratched from his start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday and is expected to be called up to start for the Rockies in Friday's game against the Rangers in Texas, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Kauffmann has struggled to a 7.78 ERA in eight starts with Albuquerque in 2023, but he pitched well in his last outing May 10 with six innings of two-run ball while striking out five. Though he'll at least avoid a start at Coors Field for his MLB debut, Kauffmann's underwhelming track record in the upper levels of the minors render him an unappealing streaming option this weekend.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Syndergaard's index finger held up well during Monday's win over the Twins, and the right-hander will make his next scheduled start, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard had previously exited a May 9 start due to a cut on his right index finger, but he was cleared to make his next turn through the rotation on five days' rest. Roberts confirmed that Syndergaard was limited at four innings and 59 pitches Monday as a precaution rather than as a result of the wound reopening. Syndergaard tentatively lines up to make his next start this weekend in St. Louis.

Buehler (elbow) said Tuesday that he's aiming for a Sept. 1 return from the 60-day injured list, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As DiGiovanna notes, a return in September would mark a much shorter recovery than usual from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, which Buehler underwent last August. The right-hander has already thrown a few bullpen sessions and could advance to facing hitters within the next month. Los Angeles will take all the necessary precautions with Buehler and there's no guarantee he pitches in a meaningful role if he does return in September. Nonetheless, his previous success makes him a name fantasy managers should keep a close eye on.

Wolf, 24, has a 4.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB over his last 22 innings (five starts) for Double-A San Antonio.

The 6-foot-7 southpaw has given up some hard contact, with five balls leaving the yard in those 22 innings, but he is also racking up the strikeouts. Wolf's funky delivery and long extension can cause timing issues for hitters, as was evident in recent dominant outings against Corpus Christi and Northwest Arkansas.

Cubs manager David Ross said Tuesday that Hendricks (shoulder) will make at least one more minor-league rehab start before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hendricks has joined up with his Cubs teammates in Houston but only to throw a bullpen session. He'll then head back to Triple-A Iowa, where he turned in a solid 79-pitch outing Sunday. The veteran right-hander hasn't appeared in a major-league game since last July due to a capsule tear in his shoulder.

The Phillies optioned Falter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Something had to give with Falter, who fell to 0-7 on the year Monday against the Giants. The 26-year-old left-hander heads to the minors with an overall 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 40.1 innings (seven starts, one relief appearance) this season with the reigning NL champs.

Velasquez (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis later this week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Velasquez checked the final box in his throwing progression when he made it through a live batting practice session Monday without issue. The 30-year-old right-hander has made a swift recovery from the bout of elbow inflammation that sent him to the injured list May 5 and could return to the Pirates' rotation by the end of the month, possibly after only one outing on the farm.

Smith-Shawver was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Carlos Callazo of Baseball America reports.

The 20-year-old righty started the season in High-A and has now become the youngest player at the Triple-A level. Smith-Shawver boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through 21 innings between the High-A and Double-A levels. It's unlikely that his hot streak propels him into the majors anytime soon, but he could be someone to keep an eye on in Triple-A.

Quintana (ribs) is scheduled to undergo a checkup CT scan Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

If the results show an encouraging level of healing, Quintana should be cleared to take the next step in his throwing program. He began playing catch on flat ground toward the end of April and would seem to be nearing mound workouts. The veteran left-hander required surgery in mid-March to repair a stress fracture on the left side of his rib cage and is not expected to make his Mets debut until closer to the midway point of the 2023 campaign.

Cueto (biceps/ankle) remains in no-throw mode as of Tuesday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cueto suffered a sprained left ankle during his last rehab start May 6 at Triple-A Jacksonville, piled on to the right biceps injury that has been plaguing him since the spring. He has logged only one appearance for the Marlins this year and there is no timetable for when he might make his second one.