MLB Player News

Matz (back) was cleared to resume playing catch Tuesday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz has been shut down from throwing since receiving a second pain-killing injection in his lower back May 12. The Cardinals haven't set a return timeline for the 32-year-old lefty, though a clearer picture may emerge once he gets back to throwing off a mound.

Rasmussen (elbow) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday at the Rays' spring training facility, MLB.com reports.

An MLB.com report earlier this month suggested that Rasmussen had been slated to pitch in an extended spring training game May 20, but it's unclear if that actually came to fruition. In any case, Rasmussen's ability to step back on a mound Tuesday represents a positive step forward in his recovery from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his right elbow July 24, 2023. Though the hybrid procedure is designed to accelerate Rasmussen's recovery timeline compared to Tommy John surgery, expect the Rays to ease him along slowly through his throwing program, given he previously underwent two Tommy John surgeries in his career. President of baseball operations Erik Neander said in spring training that Rasmussen could be an option to rejoin the big-league pitching staff in the latter months of the 2024 season if all goes well in his rehab program.

Springs (elbow) was charged with one earned run on three hits while striking out two over one inning in a rehab start Monday with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

According to MLB.com, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Springs felt good following the rehab start, which was his first appearance in a game setting since he underwent Tommy John surgery April 24, 2023. Cash noted that Springs has one more rehab outing planned with the Rays' FCL affiliate before moving on to Triple-A Durham. Springs should gradually increase his innings and pitch counts in his subsequent minor-league outings, though he'll still likely need the full 30-day rehab window to get ramped up before being deemed ready to return from the 60-day injured list, likely in the final week or two of June.

Miller (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 51-pitch sim game Tuesday and is expected to make a rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Miller has been out since April 13 while nursing right shoulder inflammation, but he got one step closer to returning Tuesday. The 25-year-old will likely need to make multiple rehab starts with the team's minor-league affiliates before potentially returning to the major-league roster in early June.

Olson (hip) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Olson had to make an early exit from his start Monday against the Royals after taking a comebacker off his right hip. The right-hander managed to escape the incident with nothing more than a bruise, but the Tigers will have him throw a bullpen session to make sure Olson will be able to make his next scheduled start Saturday against Toronto.

Pepiot (lower leg) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 26-year-old righty landed on the shelf with a bruised lower left leg after his May 5 start versus the Mets, but he'll return Wednesday after being sidelined for the 15-day minimum. Any workload limitations for Pepiot will likely be minor, given the brevity of his absence.

Uquidy (forearm) will make a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw 59 pitches in his previous outing Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi and is expected to build up to 70-to-75 pitches Friday. If all goes well, Urquidy could return from the 15-day injured list and step into Houston's rotation during its four-game series in Seattle next week.

Blanco (suspension) will be added to Houston's active roster Sunday and will start in the club's series finale in Oakland that day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros unsurprisingly won't waste any time reinserting Blanco into the rotation upon the completion of his 10-game ban. The right-hander threw live batting practice Monday and shouldn't face any significant limitations in his first start back.

Manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Hendricks will pitch out of the bullpen moving forward, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander enjoyed a resurgent 2023 with a 3.74 ERA in 24 outings, but this season has been a disaster with a 10.57 ERA across 30.2 innings. A return to the rotation could be in store if Hendricks is able to get on track out of the bullpen. He has just one non-playoff relief appearance during his 11-year MLB career.

The Brewers placed Ross on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a low-back strain.

Ross had to be removed from Monday's start versus the Marlins with the injury, although manager Pat Murphy said it's something that's bothered the pitcher for a while, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The hope is that the right-hander's absence will not be a lengthy one. Tobias Myers has taken Ross' spot on the roster and could also take his place in the rotation.