MLB Player News

Kremer (tricep) struck out three and allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over 3.2 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Kremer spotted 37 of his 59 pitches in the rehab outing, his first since he was placed on the 15-day injured list May 21 with a right tricep strain. The Orioles haven't decided on Kremer's next step, but since teams typically want rehabbing starters to hit the 70-to-75-pitch mark prior to being activated, the right-hander could be in line for one more start with Norfolk or another affiliate during the upcoming week.

Wheeler (8-4) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

It was a long day for Wheeler, who allowed four homers after having previously allowed only six long balls over his first 14 starts this season. The eight earned runs allowed matched a career high for Wheeler, who hadn't given up that many in a start since 2018. Sunday's poor effort raised his ERA from 2.16 to 2.84. Wheeler had won his previous eight decisions prior to Sunday's loss, which dropped him to 8-4 on the season. He'll look to get back on track during his next start, currently slated to take place next weekend when the Diamondbacks come to Philly for a rematch of last season's NLCS.

Kershaw (shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw came out well from a series of recent simulated games and is now set to take the final step toward a return from offseason shoulder surgery. The left-hander is said to be ahead of progress in his recovery, though he'll almost certainly need several rehab outings before he's ready to come off the 60-day injured list and make his season debut for the big club. Kershaw remains in line to return around the All-Star break.

Taillon (3-3) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the Cardinals. He struck out three.

Taillon scattered baserunners throughout, completing only a single 1-2-3 inning, but was able to limit the damage with the only runs coming on a second-inning two-run homer by Pedro Pages. However, Taillon was given no run support and left the game after six still facing that same two-run deficit. It was the second consecutive quality start for Taillon, who has allowed just two runs in 12 innings over those two starts after having allowed 14 runs over 21.1 innings in his previous four. He'll look to keep things rolling the next time he toes the rubber, which is likely to be next weekend when the Mets roll into the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) could pitch either Wednesday or Thursday against the White Sox in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada suggested earlier in the day that Verlander could rejoin the rotation for the Chicago series, and Brown's comments help further narrow down a potential return date for the 41-year-old righty. Verlander was unable to make his scheduled start Saturday versus the Tigers after experiencing neck discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday, prompting the Astros to push both Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco ahead in the pitching schedule. The extra rest appears to have done Verlander some good, as he was able to play catch prior to Sunday's series finale with Detroit. He'll likely try to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Astros lock him for a start against the White Sox.

Povich is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in New York, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After being roughed up for six earned runs in 5.1 innings in his MLB debut June 6 in Toronto, Povich rebounded nicely in his second start this past Wednesday, when he struck out six Atlanta batters over six scoreless frames. Povich will be rewarded with a third turn through the rotation for his efforts, but he may need another strong showing Wednesday to stick around with the big club. Dean Kremer (triceps) will likely make another rehab start this week before returning from the 15-day injured list thereafter, and Povich could be the odd man out of the rotation when that happens.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Sunday that Scherzer (back/thumb) will return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week as long as he experiences no issues bouncing back from his rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock this past Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will likely officially sign off on Scherzer making his 2024 debut once he throws a bullpen session in front of the coaching and training staffs early in the week, but all signs point to the right-hander being ready to slot back into the rotation with a limited workload restriction, if he has one at all. In his latest rehab outing with Round Rock on Saturday, Scherzer struck out eight while throwing 79 pitches over 4.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Since he had been pitching on five days' rest during his time with Round Rock, Scherzer appears likely to start for the Rangers either Friday or Saturday versus the Royals.

Montgomery (5-4) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

Sunday's start was Montgomery's best as a Diamondback, as he tied his season high in strikeouts while yielding no earned runs for the first time this year. The lone run scored while Montgomery was on the mound came in the third inning, when Danny Mendick came around to score after reaching on a throwing error by Montgomery. Montgomery has had a rollercoaster 2024 season, surrendering three or fewer runs in seven of his 11 appearances but giving up six or more runs three times. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 6.00 ERA with a 39:21 K:BB across 57.0 innings. He's on track to face the Phillies next weekend.

Bradford (rib/back) said June 5 that he has begun playing catch off flat ground from 120 feet, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford turned some heads by opening the season with three wins and a 1.40 ERA and 0.62 WHIP through his first three starts, but he's been on the shelf since mid-April with a lower back strain and a small stress fracture of a rib. Nearly two months later, Bradford is finally throwing again, and assuming that he's responding well to long tossing, he could be cleared for bullpen sessions in the next week or two. Bradford is without a clear target date for a return from the 60-day injured list, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him once he's activated, as Max Scherzer (back/arm) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) could both rejoin the big club before him.

Woo (forearm) will rejoin the Seattle rotation Wednesday on the road against the Guardians, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Woo was forced to miss his most recent scheduled start this past Tuesday versus the White Sox due to right forearm discomfort. After his MRI came back clean, Woo was cleared to resume throwing and is now set to reclaim his spot in the rotation after getting just under a two-week break from pitching. The 24-year-old opened the campaign on the shelf due to right elbow inflammation, but he's been highly effective when available, producing a sparkling 1.07 ERA and 0.53 WHIP while striking out 24 batters over 33.2 innings in six starts this season.