MLB Player News

Javier (neck) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday in Detroit, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier will have gone nearly a month in between starts for the Astros when he toes the rubber Saturday, having been sidelined with a neck problem. He's ready to roll now, following one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi in which he allowed three runs over 3.1 frames. Javier threw just 68 pitches in the outing, so he could be somewhat limited from a workload perspective against the Tigers.

Suarez (2-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two innings to earn the extra-innings win versus the Nationals on Wednesday.

This was Suarez's second outing since he was removed from the rotation following the returns of John Means and Kyle Bradish. Suarez gave up both runs in the 11th inning during Wednesday's game, squandering a two-run lead, but he ended up with the win when the Orioles took the lead for good in the 12th. The right-hander has been a pleasant surprise with a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 19.2 innings this season across five appearances (three starts). Suarez is one of the multi-inning options in the bullpen for the Orioles, but he can also be an option for spot starts if necessary.

Oviedo (elbow) is expected to get clearance to resume throwing within the next week, MLB.com reports.

Oviedo will be out for the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early December of 2023. He'll build back up slowly and is unlikely to appear in any game action until spring training next year.

Pepiot (leg) was able to play catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot was placed on the injured list the same day, so he'll be out until at least May 21. However, he has stated that he plans to return after the 15-day minimum, and his ability to continue to throw suggests he'll be back quickly.

Rodriguez is close to being able to begin a throwing program after an MRI on Wednesday showed healing in his left shoulder, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rodriguez has been sidelined all season and had to be shut down from throwing in mid-April after he felt renewed tightness in his shoulder. However, it appears the recent period of rest did him some good, and he's almost ready to ramp things back up again. The left-hander is still likely at least a month or so away from being able to join the Diamondbacks' rotation.

Ashcraft (3-2) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks over five-plus innings as the Reds fell 4-3 to the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

After back-to-back quality starts, Ashcraft took a step backwards Wednesday, walking more batters than he struck out for the first time this season and managing only 14 called or swinging strikes among his 86 pitches. The 26-year-old right-hander has still had a solid first month-plus of the campaign, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB through 39.2 innings. He lines up for a rematch with the D'backs in Arizona early next week.

Hicks (3-1) earned the win over the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five frames.

Hicks pitched well for most of the contest and allowed just one run up until the fifth inning. However, that's where the right-hander would run into trouble after allowing four consecutive batters to reach with one out, ultimately leading to two more runs coming across for Colorado. The seven hits and three runs allowed both marked season highs for Hicks, who has now failed to go beyond five innings in back-to-back starts. He now holds a 5.00 ERA over two May starts to go along with an 8:6 K:BB.

Montgomery (2-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings in a 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out two.

While he again wasn't dominant, Montgomery worked seven frames for the second time in four starts since joining the Arizona rotation and delivered his third quality start. The veteran southpaw will take a 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB through 23 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home rematch with Cincinnati early next week.

Sears (3-2) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Rangers, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw wasn't particularly sharp, getting tagged for at least one run in three of the first four innings, but Sears stuck around long enough for the A's to take the lead for good while he was on the mound. He's lasted at least five innings in seven straight starts, but the results have been erratic. Sears will take a 4.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB through 45 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come early next week in Houston.

Perez allowed four earned runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out five across five innings Wednesday against the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

Perez worked five effective innings, allowing only two earned runs. However, he allowed the first two hitters he faced in the sixth inning to reach base, who then came around to score after Luis Ortiz entered the game. Perez has faded in the sixth inning in consecutive starts, allowing five earned runs combined in the frame. Overall, he still has a positive 3.60 ERA, though that comes with a less impressive 1.40 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB.