MLB Player News

Rocker (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander seemed likely require at least one additional rehab outing after throwing 53 pitches over four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Round Rock, but he'll instead rejoin the Rangers with Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) placed on the injured list Sunday. Rocker figures to have some workload limitations in his first start back in the majors, but he pitched well in his two rehab outings with an 8:1 K:BB across seven shutout innings.

The Rangers placed Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right posterior elbow inflammation.

Eovaldi experienced right triceps fatigue coming out of his most recent outing Tuesday, but the Rangers were initially optimistic that he would avoid a stint on the IL after getting a few extra days of rest between starts. The right-hander told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com earlier Sunday that he was feeling good after playing catch and hoped to return to the mound Wednesday or Thursday versus the Rays, but the Rangers' brass evidently felt it was better to give him some additional time off. Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, general manager Chris Young reiterated that Eovaldi has nothing structurally wrong with his arm, and the Rangers believe that he'll be able to return from the IL around when he's first eligible June 13. The Rangers will replace Eovaldi in the rotation with Kumar Rocker (shoulder), who will be activated from the IL to start Wednesday.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The left-hander followed opener Braydon Fisher against the A's on Saturday and picked up the win after firing 4.2 scoreless innings, but he won't stick in the majors with Erik Swanson (forearm) returning from the injured list Sunday. Lucas has been boom-or-bust in his five MLB appearances this season, as he's covered 15 frames in three scoreless outings but has surrendered 14 runs in his other two starts.

Crawford (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Crawford, who threw a four-inning live batting practice session Saturday, will move on to a multi-start rehab assignment. He could be back by mid-June -- with Tanner Houck (elbow) right behind him -- at which point the Red Sox will have some decisions to make. Existing rotation members Brayan Bello (6.11 ERA in last four starts) and Lucas Giolito (4.78 in six starts) may be in danger of losing their jobs, while Richard Fitts just came off the IL himself.

The Brewers activated Quintana (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

The veteran left-hander is rejoining Milwaukee's rotation Sunday after missing the past three weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Quintana threw 71 pitches across four innings during his lone rehab outing, so he could face some minor workload limitations in his first start back with the Brewers.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch suggested that Skubal is likely to get an extra day of rest ahead of his next start, which is expected to come Friday against the Cubs in Detroit, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Skubal had been lined up to start Thursday's series finale versus the White Sox, but he's started on four days' rest in just three of his first 12 outings, and at this stage of the season, the Tigers want to be cognizant about not overworking their staff ace when they don't have to. By pushing Skubal back a day, the Tigers will also be able to shield one of their bottom-of-rotation arms from a fearsome Cubs offense that has produced a 120 wRC+ on the season, good for third in the majors. Though Skubal will be missing out on a favorable matchup with the 18-40 White Sox, fantasy managers will still want to keep him in lineups this week, as the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has been dominant even against formidable competition this season.

Bieber (elbow) allowed one hit and no walks while striking out five over 2.1 scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Bieber made the first of what's expected to be several rehab starts while he works his way back from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander will be evaluated following Saturday's outing and could move up to a higher-level minor league affiliate. Bieber will likely need close to the full 30-day rehab window to get ramped up and isn't expected to be ready to make his 2025 debut for the Guardians until late June or early July.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is likely to return to the rotation this week, Nick Piecoro and Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic report.

The Diamondbacks haven't announced plans for the left-hander, but Rodriguez threw 4.2 innings during a rehab start Friday in the Arizona Complex League. After Ryne Nelson was needed for four relief innings Saturday, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the righty would be returned to the bullpen instead of making a scheduled start Tuesday, per Arizona Sports. Rodriguez could be set to return Friday in Cincinnati, as Arizona has already mapped out its pitching plans for a three-game set in Atlanta to begin the week, per Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona.

Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The right-hander will fill the rotation spot vacated by AJ Smith-Shawver, who will miss the rest of the season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow. Elder has been serviceable in his eight starts for Atlanta this season with a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB across 44 innings, and he should get an extended look in the rotation.

Pfaadt (7-4) failed to record an out while taking the loss Saturday versus the Nationals, allowing eight runs on six hits and two hit batsmen.

Four of the six hits were doubles, which allowed the Nationals to keep the line moving during Pfaadt's brief outing. Scott McGough was unable to stop the bleeding immediately, and the Diamondbacks were down 10-0 before sending a batter to the plate themselves. The silver lining here is that it's tough for Pfaadt to ever have a worse appearance in his career. His ERA jumped from 3.90 to 5.05, and he's added a 1.32 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB across 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in Cincinnati.