MLB Player News

Hall (knee) threw 35 pitches over two simulated innings Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hall came out of the throwing session feeling like he's ready to make a rehab start, but he had not yet spoken to the medical staff to confirm that's the next step. The left-hander has been sidelined for the last three-plus weeks with a left knee sprain. Hall will probably need at least two rehab starts before being activated.

The Athletics recalled Basso from Double-A Midland on Tuesday.

Despite being lit up for nine earned runs over 2.1 innings in his debut for Triple-A Las Vegas before being moved back to Midland, Basso will make the jump to the majors. He's been far more effective over his six starts for Midland this season, logging a 2.84 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 25.1 innings. Basso will join the 26-man active roster as a replacement for reliever Easton Lucas, but if he's not needed out of the bullpen over the next couple of days, Basso could be called upon to make a spot start this weekend in Kansas City. Alex Wood remains on the active roster but is tending to a shoulder issue that could force him to the injured list, in which case Basso, Mitch Spence or Kyle Muller would likely be the top candidates to fill his spot in the rotation.

Houser will no longer start Wednesday in Philadelphia after warming up in the bullpen during Tuesday's game versus the Phillies, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Houser had been set to rejoin the rotation after a brief demotion to the bullpen, but the club had him get loose when it looked like he might be needed in relief Tuesday. He ultimately didn't pitch, but he won't be ready to start Wednesday. The team has not yet announced a starter for Wednesday's contest.

Maeda (illness) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Maeda has been fighting a viral illness and was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday. After being too sick to throw for a short period of time, Maeda's quick return to mound work should mean he won't require a lengthy absence. However, he'll still require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Tigers.

Dunning (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Dunning is progressing well after straining his rotator cuff, having tossed his first bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list on May 8. His IL designation was retroactive to May 5, meaning he could be eligible for reinstatement as soon as Monday. However, he'll have to make it through the rest of his rehab without setbacks for an immediate return to be a possibility.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Tuesday that Soroka will move to the team's bullpen, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

In nine starts this season, Soroka has managed an ugly 6.39 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 24:24 K:BB across 43.2 innings. He will remain stretched out as a long reliever, and Grifol didn't rule out Soroka eventually rejoining the rotation at some point later this season. Brad Keller will take over Soroka's spot in the rotation.

Horton averaged 93.4 mph (touched 94.9 mph) with his fastball in his first start for Triple-A Iowa on May 4 and averaged 93.9 mph (touched 95.5 mph) in his second start May 10 after sitting at 95-97 mph with his fastball and regularly touching 98 mph in 2023.

This doesn't necessarily mean Horton is dealing with anything physically, but it's worth noting that he's not working with the same caliber stuff as was advertised during the offseason. Horton had a 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and an 18:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings across four starts in a return assignment to Double-A Tennessee before getting promoted to Triple-A at the end of April. He has given up eight earned runs on seven hits, eight walks and two home runs while striking out 11 in seven innings through his first two starts at the highest level of the minors. Since Triple-A pitch velocities are public, it's worth keeping tabs on Horton's pitch velocities over his next few outings to see if things keep trending up. This is also Horton's first experience with the automated balls and strikes system at Triple-A, so perhaps that's partly to blame for his elevated walk rate.

The Nationals recalled Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge will serve as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox and will be available out of the bullpen for both games. The 25-year-old has had a rough start at Rochester this season, holding a 6.33 ERA and 27:19 K:BB over 27 innings of work covering seven starts. He's likely to be sent back down after Tuesday's contests.

Estes is slated to start Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

He'll be awarded his second straight turn through the rotation after striking out five and allowing just one run over five innings last weekend in Seattle following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Estes could be in line for an extended run in the big-league rotation with Paul Blackburn (foot) recently going on the injured list and with Alex Wood (shoulder) also at risk of being deactivated.

Ashcraft allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Ashcraft worked a high pitch count, ending up with 94 pitches (55 strikes) through four frames. He gave up solo home runs to Gabriel Moreno and Joc Pederson, which made this the first time since his season debut that Ashcraft gave up multiple long balls. The 26-year-old is now at a 4.12 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 43.2 innings over eight starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road against the Dodgers.