MLB Player News

Houck (elbow) was shut down from throwing Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the injured list Wednesday due to a right flexor pronator strain, but he didn't appear to be in store for a lengthy absence after an MRI came back clean Friday. It's unclear if Houck suffered a setback since getting the imaging, but the pause in his throwing program likely means he'll spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf.

Woodruff (ankle) threw multiple simulated innings during a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff tweaked his right ankle May 11 in what was expected to be the final rehab start in his recovery from 2023 surgery on his throwing shoulder. He tested the ankle Sunday by throwing and doing fielding drills, and he's expected to begin a new rehab assignment Wednesday. Manager Pat Murphy said he expects Woodruff to make at least two rehab starts before being activated from the injured list.

Strider (hamstring) appears set to return to Atlanta's rotation Tuesday versus Washington, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Manager Brian Snitker said late last week that Strider would be activated from the injured list to start one of the team's three games in Washington, and given that Atlanta has listed AJ Smith-Shawver and Chris Sale as its probable pitchers for Wednesday and Thursday, the writing is on the wall for Strider to return for the first game of the series. The ace right-hander will forego a minor-league rehab assignment, though he did toss 65 pitches in a sim game last Wednesday. He could be on some sort of a pitch count in his return, but he'll draw a favorable assignment against a Nationals lineup that ranks 20th in MLB in team OPS (.688).

Rom (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Palm Beach earlier this month and will be moved up to Triple-A Memphis for a start Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Rom missed the entire 2024 season with left biceps tendinitis which eventually required surgery, and he experienced a setback in February when he felt shoulder discomfort. The southpaw allowed just two runs (one earned) with a 13:0 K:BB over nine innings in three rehab outings with Palm Beach. Rom is no longer on the Cardinals' 40-man roster, but, if healthy, he could give the organization some much-needed rotation depth for a Memphis team that's dealt with its fair share of injuries.

Milwaukee called up McGee from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

McGee last pitched in the majors in 2023 with Seattle, when he shined with a 6.2-inning, one-hit scoreless start. However, he suffered an elbow injury in that contest and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has pitched well in Triple-A this season, posting a 3.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB over 18.1 innings across 13 relief outings. He'll presumably fill a spot in the Brewers' bullpen while up with the big club. To make room for Easton on the 40-man roster, Connor Thomas (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL, and Tobias Myers was optioned to Triple-A to clear space on the 26-man roster.

The Brewers optioned Myers to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Myers struggled in a start against Minnesota on Saturday, allowing four runs on 11 hits over 3.2 innings. The right-hander is now being sent down to Triple-A to make room for reliever Easton McGee, who was called up in a corresponding move. Myers will likely be back with the big club at some point in the campaign, though his spot in the rotation was already looking shaky before the rough outing Saturday with Aaron Civale (hamstring) on the verge of returning from the injured list and Brandon Woodruff (shoulder/ankle) possibly soon to follow.

The Phillies recalled Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

It was reported Friday that Abel would be called up to make a start against the Pirates on Sunday, and the transaction is now official. Abel has thrived in Triple-A this season with a 2.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 46.1 innings, but he may be in line for just a spot start with the big club. Though Aaron Nola (ankle) landed on the injured list Friday, Taijuan Walker is expected to re-enter the Phillies' rotation during the coming week.

Bieber (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Friday that Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said "went well," MLB.com reports.

Bieber has thrown a number of live BP sessions as he progresses through the rehab process. The Guardians are targeting a midseason return for the veteran right-hander.

The Twins recalled Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his start against the Brewers on Sunday.

The right-hander is taking the rotation spot of Simeon Woods Richardson, who was demoted earlier in the week due to his 5.02 ERA through eight appearances. Matthews struggled in his first taste of the majors last year with 28 earned runs and 11 homers allowed across 37.2 innings, but he's been dominant so far in 2025 for St. Paul with a 1.93 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB over 32.2 frames.

Lowder (forearm) allowed four runs on four hits and one walk while recording one out in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Louisville.

Lowder made the third start on his rehab assignment, moving up a couple of levels from High-A Dayton, but he was pulled after just 29 pitches. After striking out the first batter he faced, Lowder allowed the next five batters to reach base before he was done for the day. Per MLB.com, Lowder covered three simulated innings in the bullpen after being pulled Saturday, so he was still seemingly able to push up his pitch count. The rehab assignment has been rocky thus far for Lowder, who has given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits (two home runs), two walks and a hit batsman while striking out 11 over 6.1 innings.