MLB Player News

Cavalli has allowed two runs in nine innings with a 13:2 K:BB over his last two starts for Triple-A Rochester, and he could be called up to join the Nationals' rotation at some point in June, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The organization wants to make sure Cavalli will be able to handle a regular turn before promoting him, but he's begun to do exactly that at Rochester, building up to 71 pitches (43 strikes) in his most recent start May 22. The 26-year-old right-hander pitched just 8.1 innings combined in 2023 and 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he appears to be healthy now, sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball while mixing in a curveball and changeup. Mitchell Parker is also struggling for the Nats, posting an 8.46 ERA over his last six starts, and if he's unable to turn things around soon, it would provide a clear opening for Cavalli to see his first big-league action since 2022.

Quintana (shoulder) is preparing to come off the injured list to start Sunday against the Phillies, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran left-hander threw 71 pitches across four frames during his rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday, priming him to rejoin Milwaukee's rotation this weekend in Philadelphia. Quintana was pitching well prior to the shoulder injury and had a 2.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB across 34 innings.

The Padres recalled Hart from Triple-A El Paso to start Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Hart will fill Michael King's (shoulder) spot in San Diego's rotation after King was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Hart made the Padres' Opening Day rotation, but he was demoted to Triple-A after logging a 6.00 ERA in five starts. The 32-year-old has made three starts at El Paso, tallying a 3.07 ERA and 12:12 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Omar Cruz was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Manager Joe Espada said Arrighetti (thumb) played catch Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti has officially resumed a throwing program, playing catch for the first time since suffering a fractured right thumb April 7. It's an encouraging step in his recovery, and certainly one welcomed by the Astros, who just lost Ronel Blanco (elbow) for the season. Still, Arrighetti isn't expected to be reinstated until July.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Blanco (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The team announced that Blanco would be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery Wednesday but didn't supply the specifics regarding the procedure. It's now known that Blanco will require Tommy John surgery, which will likely force him to miss a significant portion of the 2026 campaign. Colton Gordon should hold down Blanco's spot in the rotation until the Astros get Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) back from the injured list.

Cobb (hip) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with High-A West Michigan, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cobb completed a bullpen session Monday and seems to be feeling good enough to see in-game action. The 37-year-old has been battling inflammation in his right hip since February, meaning he will likely require several starts in the minors to prepare for his return. He's not expected back until late June.

Blanco (elbow) will undergo surgery next week and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season, the Astros announced Wednesday.

Blanco reported soreness in his throwing elbow on May 19 and hit the injured list May 22 with elbow inflammation. Houston sought out a second opinion on the 31-year-old's injury, which yielded severe enough results to require season-ending surgery. It's unclear if he will have traditional Tommy John surgery or a hybrid internal brace procedure. Colton Gordon should fill Blanco's spot in the rotation until Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) are reinstated from the IL, which isn't expected to happen until late June or July. Blanco finishes 2025 with a 3-4 record, a 4.10 ERA and 48:20 K:BB in 48.1 innings spanning nine starts.

Scherzer (thumb) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Monday and is expected to face hitters in live batting practice in Toronto on Thursday or Friday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The bullpen session was Scherzer's second in three days, and with both going off without a hitch, he looks set to take the next step forward in his recovery by facing hitters. Scherzer will likely need to throw multiple live sessions before the Blue Jays map out a rehab assignment for the veteran right-hander, who has been on the injured list since March 30 due to right thumb inflammation.

Megill (4-4) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks over 5.2 innings in a 6-4 victory over the White Sox. He struck out six.

The right-hander ran out of gas in the sixth inning, loading the bases on a single and two walks before getting the hook after 100 pitches (64 strikes), but Jose Butto got out of the jam without adding any runs to Megill's ledger. While he fell short of his second quality start of the season, Megill did collect his first win since April 21, snapping a five-start winless streak that had seen him stumble to a 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB over 23.1 innings. The 29-year-old lines up for a tough test in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Dodgers.

Houck (elbow) has continued his throwing program this week but is not yet considered close to beginning a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the 15-day injured list May 14 due to a right flexor pronator strain, Houck was cleared to resume throwing late last week and will continue to work toward a rehab assignment. He's not expected to be ready to return from the IL until late June or early July, and it's unclear what sort of role he might fill for the Boston pitching staff once he's activated. Before getting shut down with the injury, Houck's spot in the rotation appeared to be in jeopardy after he turned in an 8.04 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43.2 innings through his first nine starts.