MLB Player News

Manning will likely rejoin the big-league rotation with Kenta Maeda (viral illness) being placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jack Flaherty is currently listed as the starter for Sunday's game against the Astros, but given that Manning was scratched from his Saturday start for Toledo, it's possible he could start Sunday, or at least Monday against the Marlins. Manning has a 4.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 17 innings through three MLB starts this year.

The Tigers placed Maeda on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a viral illness.

Maeda's ailment may in part explain his struggles in his last start against the Guardians on Tuesday, when he allowed seven runs on five hits across two innings. The veteran right-hander will be on the shelf until at least May 23. The Tigers recalled outfielder Akil Baddoo from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, but Detroit could look to bring up Matt Manning from Triple-A to bolster the rotation in Maeda's absence.

The Athletics recalled Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas ahead of his start against the Mariners on Saturday.

Despite a 2-3 record with a 6.04 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in Triple-A this season, Estes will take to the mound for the Athletics on Saturday in his season debut. The 22-year-old right-hander started in two games for Oakland last season, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 10 innings. To make room for Estes, the Athletics optioned left-hander Easton Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Astros reinstated Javier (neck) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier landed on the IL on April 21 due to neck discomfort. He made one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on May 4, throwing 68 pitches while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. To make room on the 40-man roster for Javier, Houston designated right-hander Brandon Bielak for assignment. Javier will start Saturday against the Tigers, though the Astros could limit his workload to ease the right-hander back into the rotation.

Cole (elbow) threw 29 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole noted that he had a "pretty good" bullpen session, with 13 of his 29 pitches being breaking balls and his velocity topping at 89 mph. He is set to stay in Tampa Bay and throw another bullpen early in the coming week.

Whitlock (oblique) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 after sustaining a left oblique strain the day before against the Guardians. Before landing on the IL, Whitlock was 1-0 over four starts with a 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over 18.1 innings. How he fares during and after his rehab start Wednesday will determine whether the 27-year-old right-hander will require more than one outing in the minors to prepare for his return.

The Marlins reinstated Luzardo (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Luzardo made one start during his rehab assignment, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and six strikeouts with Single-A Jupiter on May 5. The 26-year-old southpaw will waste no time getting into major-league action and is starting Saturday against Philadelphia. Before landing on the IL, Luzardo was 0-2 over five starts with a 6.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB over 26 innings. In a corresponding move, the Marlins optioned right-hander Eli Villalobos to Triple-Jacksonville.

Williamson (shoulder) will report to High-A Dayton next week, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The move to Dayton suggests Williamson is nearing a rehab assignment. The Reds are targeting the end of May for his return.

Cavalli (elbow) threw 45 pitches over the equivalent of 2.2 innings in a live bullpen session Friday at the Nationals' spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals are being deliberate with the 25-year-old's recovery from March 2023 Tommy John surgery, but Cavalli is in the home stretch. The team hasn't indicated when he might begin a rehab assignment, but it appears he could join the big-league rotation in late June or early July.

Scherzer (back) revealed Friday that he received a cortisone injection in his right thumb after undergoing additional tests Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The exam revealed that Scherzer's thumb issue is more nerve-related than skeletal, and the right-hander noticed significant improvement following the injection. Scherzer noted that he passed multiple strength tests that would have indicated a ligament issue, and his rehab plan has changed accordingly. The 39-year-old was on the field Friday playing catch for the first time since having his program delayed due to issues with his right thumb and forearm.