MLB Player News

Scherzer (back/arm) threw a 40-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

It's the first time he's faced hitters since he had to be pulled off a rehab assignment in early May following a nerve problem with his throwing arm. Scherzer -- who initially went on the injured list as he recovered from offseason back surgery -- said after Tuesday's session that he's hoping his next step will be to make a rehab start. There remains no timetable for the 38-year-old return to the Rangers' rotation, but things are trending up.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cole (elbow) will require "at least a few" minor-league rehab starts before returning from the 60-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cole will make his first rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Somerset and is slated to throw 40-to-50 pitches in that outing. Assuming he adds around 10-to-15 pitches to each of his subsequent rehab starts, the righty would presumably require two additional outings at a minimum after Tuesday's appearance before slotting back into the Yankees rotation. With that in mind, Cole doesn't appear on track to make his 2024 Yankees debut until at least late June, provided he checks out fine physically during his rehab assignment. Cole is working his way back from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow.

Suarez (hand) played catch without any apparent issues Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He gave a thumbs-up to reporters afterward, and Phillies manager Rob Thomson was similarly upbeat about how Suarez checked out during Tuesday's workout. Suarez will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and assuming that goes well, he's expected to be cleared to start against the Mets this weekend in London. The lefty departed his last outing Saturday versus the Cardinals after being struck on the pitching hand by a comebacker.

The Blue Jays activated Francis (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis is in line for bulk-relief duties in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, following opener Trevor Richards. The right-hander has been out since late April with forearm tendinitis, having posted a 8.59 ERA and 17:7 K:BB in 14.2 innings across two starts and three relief appearances before being sidelined.

The Nationals recalled Herz from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Herz is set to make his major-league debut Tuesday as he makes a start against the Mets in place of Trevor Williams (elbow), who was placed on the injured list. The left-hander has posted a 3.75 ERA and 42:29 K:BB over 36 innings covering nine starts for Rochester this season. Herz boasts a 33.6 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors, but he's also generated an elevated 15.3 percent walk rate.

The Nationals placed Williams on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right flexor strain, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Williams had been slated to start Tuesday's game against the Mets but now will be sidelined for at least two weeks, and quite likely longer. The veteran right-hander has been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals this season, collecting a 2.22 ERA in 11 starts. DJ Herz was called up from Triple-A Rochester and will start Tuesday in Williams' stead.

Rea is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Jared Koenig in Tuesday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Koenig is expected to receive his second opener assignment in as many days after he needed just five pitches to retire the Phillies' top three hitters in Monday's 3-1 win. Look for Koenig to work no more than an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over to Rea, who previously worked behind Koenig on May 25 in Boston. The arrangement ended up working out well for Rea's fantasy managers, as he picked up the win against the Red Sox that day while allowing two runs and striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Cueto has agreed to push back the opt-out date of his minor-league contract with the Rangers to June 14, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston reports.

The two sides have also agreed to a second opt-out date of July 1. Cueto could have exercised the initial opt-out clause in his minor-league contract June 1, and there probably would have been interest in the 38-year-old after he posted a 2.40 ERA in three starts with Triple-A Round Rock. However, Cueto has ultimately decided to stay put, at least for now.

Teheran agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The veteran right-hander opted out of his minor-league deal with the Cubs over the weekend and didn't take long to latch on with a new team. Teheran has just one appearance in the big leagues this season and has struggled to an 8.82 ERA over eight starts at the Triple-A level. The Orioles are in dire need of rotation depth due to Tyler Wells (elbow) and John Means (elbow) both recently being ruled out for the season.

Peterson is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

With a pair of off days Thursday and Friday ahead of their two-game series versus the Phillies in London this weekend, the Mets opted to condense their rotation from six to five men. Peterson ended up making the cut, as the Mets instead optioned rookie Christian Scott to Triple-A Syracuse last weekend. After returning from the 60-day injured list last week, Peterson drew a tough matchup in the Dodgers for his 2024 Mets debut, but he held his own against one of baseball's best offenses, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings. He'll get a more favorable draw Tuesday, facing off against a Nationals offense that ranks 27th in the majors with an 81 wRC+ versus left-handed pitching for the season.