MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) will not throw for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada noted that McCullers' throwing arm was not responding well between bullpen sessions, and the 30-year-old will rest while the team figures out next steps. It's a step back for McCulers, who hasn't pitched since the 2022 World Series and is working his way back from June 2023 surgery to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur in his right forearm.

Verlander (neck) said Tuesday that he's increased the frequency of his flat-ground throwing, but there remains no timetable for when he will throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

While Verlander is feeling better, the progress from his neck injury continues to be slow. He has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and it would seem at this point that he's unlikely to be ready at the start of the second half.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Glasnow will be placed on the 15-day injured list with back tightness, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Glasnow has allowed five runs in two straight outings, but it appears his back began bothering him Sunday while he was playing catch. Roberts said that the hope is it's a minor issue and the right-hander can return shortly after the All-Star break. If that happens, he could miss just one start. Justin Wrobleski had been slated to return to the minors, but he's now likely to fill Glasnow's next turn.

Criswell could be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday against the Athletics, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Josh Winckowski is being shifted to the bullpen, creating an opening. Criswell struck out eight and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings in his last start for Worcester and would be on five days' rest Friday. Boston could also opt for a bullpen game versus Oakland.

The Reds reinstated Lodolo (finger) from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Rockies.

The left-hander will step back into Cincinatti's rotation after spending the 15-day minimum on the shelf due to a blister. Lodolo has been lights out through 12 starts this season with a 2.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 73:19 K:BB across 70 innings, and he shouldn't have much, if any, of a workload restriction given the brevity of his absence.

Rasmussen (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday and is aiming to begin a rehab assignment following the All-Star break, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Rasmussen underwent an internal brace procedure in his throwing elbow in July of 2023 and has been throwing off a mound since the end of May. While the 28-year-old is still a few weeks out from embarking on what's expected to be a lengthy minor-league rehab stint, Rasmussen appears to be on track to pitch for the Rays this season and could even be cleared before September.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Mercado will move to the bullpen, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mercado pitched well in his first major-league start against the Cubs last Tuesday but was then roughed up in his second outing in Atlanta on Sunday, coughing up five runs while recording just five outs. Tyler Phillips was effective in long relief of Mercado in the latter outing and will replace him in the rotation this weekend against the Athletics.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Phillips will make his first major-league start Saturday against the Athletics, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Phillips pitched well in an extended relief outing Sunday in Atlanta, allowing one run, striking out seven and not issuing a walk over four innings. He was pressed into action following an ineffective start by Michael Mercado, who will now head to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Phillips.

Gipson-Long (elbow) underwent left hip labral repair surgery Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Gipson-Long was already done for the season after having Tommy John surgery in April and he now has an additional operation to come back from. The hip surgery shouldn't alter his timeline, although the hurler will likely be out until around midseason in 2025.

The Athletics placed Harris on the paternity leave list Tuesday.

By rule, Harris will miss one game and as many as three games while he welcomes a new baby to the family. He had tentatively been lined up to start Thursday in Boston, but the Athletics should be able to just push him back a day or two -- if need be -- without disrupting the rotation much.