MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that the club will wait to send Gray (elbow) for an MRI until around the All-Star break, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander experienced elbow discomfort and more fatigue than normal during his rehab start with Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, and it appears he'll be shut down from throwing for at least the next couple weeks. Gray was in the latter stages of the rehab assignment and was soon expected to rejoin the Nationals, so it's a big blow for both him and the rotation. Depending on when he's actually sent for imaging, Gray shouldn't be expected back until at least sometime in August.

Montero will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to start Wednesday in Minnesota, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Montero will be filling in for Jack Flaherty (back), who is having his turn skipped. The Tigers will also need an additional starter for later this week with Casey Mize (hamstring) headed to the 15-day injured list. Montero has permitted nine runs with an 11:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings for the Tigers in 2024.

Flaherty will receive a second pain-killing injection in his back and will have his next start pushed back to next week, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty had been slated to start Wednesday in Minnesota but will be held back until next week for a home matchup against the Guardians. It's worrisome that Flaherty has now had two turns skipped over the last month with back problems, but it appears he will again avoid a stint on the injured list. Keider Montero will start Wednesday in Flaherty's place.

Weathers (finger) will be re-evaluated in 1-to-2 weeks in hopes of being cleared to begin a throwing program at that time, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Weathers has already been shut down for nearly a month with a left index finger strain and still isn't ready to throw yet. Given how much time he's missed, it's going to take him a while to get sufficiently built back up before rejoining the Marlins' rotation. A return would appear to be several weeks away.

Cabrera (shoulder) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera is slated to throw 80-to-85 pitches in what will likely be his final rehab start before returning from the 60-day injured list and taking back a spot in Miami's rotation. The right-hander has posted a 4.50 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 10 innings in his first three rehab outings. Cabrera has been out since early May with a right shoulder impingement.

France underwent surgery Monday to repair a capsule tear in his right shoulder.

It had been reported previously that France was set to undergo season-ending surgery, and the specifics of the procedure have now been revealed. France is on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land but could be a candidate for the major-league 60-day IL should the Astros need to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Gray experienced elbow discomfort and felt more fatigued than normal during Sunday's rehab start at Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Gray will undergo testing in the coming days.

Gray compared the discomfort to what he felt in April when he sustained the right flexor strain, a concerning sign for the 26-year-old, who was close to activation before the setback. Gray surrendered seven runs across three innings Sunday before reporting the pain. He'll continue to be evaluated over the coming days as the severity of the setback is determined.

Montero has joined the Tigers in Minnesota and is expected to enter the rotation in place of the injured Casey Mize (hamstring), Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It's not known yet which day Montero will start, but he will join the rotation sometime this week while Mize misses some time. The right-hander has made two appearances with the Tigers this season -- one as a starter and one as a bulk reliever -- and has allowed nine runs with an 11:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings.

The Rangers released Cueto on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Cueto exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract and will now be on the lookout for a deal with a new club. The 38-year-old right-hander posted a 5.92 ERA and 30:8 K:BB over 38 innings covering eight starts with Triple-A Round Rock. Cueto last appeared in the majors in 2023 with the Marlins, putting up a 6.02 ERA in 52.1 frames.

Astros manager Joe Espada said on Tuesday in an interview with SportsTalk 790 that Garcia's (elbow) next rehab start will come Thursday at Double-A Corpus Christi, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia threw one inning with the Astros' Florida Complex League affiliate this past Friday in his first rehab appearance. It's not clear what his targeted pitch count is for Thursday's outing, but Garcia will need a handful of rehab starts before becoming an option to join the Astros' rotation. He's making his way back from Tommy John surgery.