MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Javier (neck) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada didn't specify exactly when Javier's first rehab appearance will be, nor did he say how long the 27-year-old right-hander will remain in the minors. However, there had been speculation that Javier would be able to avoid a rehab assignment completely, so he may only need to make one start before returning to an Astros rotation that has already dealt with numerous injuries this season.

Bradish did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Bradish had to contend with some traffic Thursday, though he'd ultimately hold the Yankees to one run on Anthony Rizzo's two-out RBI single in the third inning. Overall, it was an encouraging debut from Bradish after he'd missed the first month of the season with a partially torn UCL -- he averaged 95 mph with his sinker while inducing six whiffs on his slider, both in line with his numbers from last year. It remains to be seen how much deeper the Orioles will allow Bradish to work in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a road matchup with the Nationals.

Cabrera didn't factor into Thursday's decision against the Rockies, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out nine over four innings.

Three of the Rockies' four runs against Cabrera came on a Jacob Stallings homer in the second inning. Cabrera had the strikeout pitch working Thursday, though his command remained inconsistent, as he needed 91 pitches to record just 12 outs. Cabrera's now been held to fewer than five innings in consecutive outings. His ERA is up to 6.05 with a 1.50 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through his first four starts (19.1 innings). Cabrera's currently lined up for a tough road matchup with the Dodgers for his next turn.

Eovaldi was removed from his start Thursday against the Nationals with right groin tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi didn't look comfortable on the mound after making a pitch in the sixth inning, prompting a visit from the Rangers' training staff and his eventual removal. The severity of the veteran righty's injury remains unknown, but the team may provide more information after Thursday's game. Eovaldi threw 5.1 shutout innings while striking out eight batters before his early exit.

Garrett (shoulder) allowed one hit and three walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Garrett got his pitch count up to 61 and averaged 90.7 miles per hour with his sinker, which is right in line with his normal velocity. Wednesday's outing should be the left-hander's final tune-up before he returns from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut with the Marlins. Garrett, who has been sidelined with a shoulder impingement and more recently went through a "dead arm" phase, tentatively lines up to start Monday versus the Dodgers on the road.

Lara has a 2.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 37:8 K:BB in 23.2 innings through five starts for High-A Wilmington.

Lara was a high-pedigree signee out of Venezuela in 2019, but he never logged an ERA under 4.50 prior to this season. The big, 6-foot-4 righty ranks second behind Owen Murphy among all High-A pitchers with 37 strikeouts and his 30.5 K-BB% is the fourth-best mark at the level.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) could rejoin the rotation next week during the team's May 7-8 series in Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pivetta is slated to make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and it appearance that will be the lone appearance before he rejoins the Red Sox' rotation. The right-hander has been on the shelf since early April with a right elbow flexor strain. Pivetta was excellent before getting hurt, allowing just one run with a 13:1 K:BB over 11 frames in his first two starts.

Bello (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bello resumed mound work this week as he comes back from right lat tightness and has now been cleared for game action. He's missed just two weeks of action, so Bello may need just the one rehab start if all goes well. That sets him up to return as soon as May 12 against the Nationals.

Suarez is now listed among the Orioles' relievers heading into the team's weekend series in Cincinnati, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Suarez was excellent in three starts for the Orioles, collecting a 2.35 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings. It's possible he'll be needed for more starts down the line, but with Kyle Bradish (forearm) and John Means (elbow) returning from the injured list and making starts Thursday and Sunday, respectively, Suarez will shift to a long-relief role for now.

Irvin is slated to start Friday's game against the Reds in Cincinnati, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles returned Kyle Bradish (forearm) and John Means (elbow) from the 15-day injured list this week, but with Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) landing on the IL on Wednesday, Baltimore will only have to move one starter out of the rotation to accommodate the two new arrivals. At least for this week, the Orioles are opting to keep Irvin in the rotation over Albert Suarez, who is now being listed as a reliever after he had posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 15.1 innings over his three starts with Baltimore. Irvin's season-long numbers (3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB in 28.1 innings) aren't quite as sparkling as Suarez's, but the southpaw has been excellent his last two times out, blanking the Royals on the road over 6.2 innings on April 21 before spinning seven shutout innings against the Athletics last Saturday. He could have a tougher time keeping the scoreless stretch going this weekend, as he'll take on the Reds in one of baseball's more hitter-friendly parks.