MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Valdez (elbow) played catch Friday and could throw off a mound as soon as Saturday or Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The left-hander quickly resumed throwing after landing on the injured list April 9 with elbow inflammation, and his return to mound work will be another encouraging step. Valdez won't be ready to return from the injured list when first eligible next week, but given his current progression he could seemingly be back with the Astros sometime in early May.

Taillon (1-0) earned the win Friday against the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four over five innings.

Taillon didn't show any signs of rust in his first start of the campaign, holding the Marlins to a Bryan De La Cruz solo homer in the fourth inning. It's an encouraging effort from the 32-year-old right-hander, who went 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA in an inconsistent 2023 season. He's currently in line to face the Astros at home in his next start.

Hancock and the Mariners will not play Friday after their contest against the Rockies was postponed due to inclement weather, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday. Hancock and Dakota Hudson had been slated to start Friday but will be pushed back at least one day to Saturday.

Hudson and the Rockies will not play Friday after their game versus the Mariners was postponed due to inclement weather, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday. Emerson Hancock and Hudson had been scheduled to start but now figure to be pushed back a day to Saturday.

Verlander (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting Friday against the Nationals.

Verlander missed the first few weeks of the season rehabbing from a shoulder issue but will make his 2024 debut Friday in Washington. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said the Astros plan to limit the veteran right-hander to around 80-85 pitches, which would be a minor increase on the 77 pitches Verlander threw in his final rehab start.

The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The right-hander surrendered seven runs over 3.2 frames in his major-league debut Thursday versus the Tigers. Michael Lorenzen (neck) recently made his season debut to fill out the Rangers' rotation, but Leiter seems likely to receive another look with the big club later in the year.

Cannon will start Monday in Minnesota, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cannon had a solid major-league debut Wednesday against the Royals, tossing five innings of one-run ball in a no-decision. He'll be awarded at least one additional start in the majors, though he could head back to Triple-A Charlotte once Mike Clevinger is ready to make his season debut.

Gonzales (forearm) will remain shut down for the next couple weeks, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gonzales has been sidelined since last week with a left forearm muscle strain. He is not expected to require surgery, but between being shut down for multiple weeks and then a build-up period, it sounds like it will be a month or more before he'll be an option for the Pirates again.

Walker (shoulder) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday before rejoining the Phillies' rotation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies had considered having Walker make his next appearance with the big club, but they opted to give him one more tune-up. That sets Walker up for his season debut next weekend in San Diego. Spencer Turnbull has pitched well in his place but could lose his rotation spot once Walker returns.

Priester was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and is starting Friday's game against the Red Sox.

It'll be Priester's first MLB appearance of the campaign after he missed out on Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old righty struggled to a 7.74 ERA over 10 outings in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, but he pitched well at Triple-A early this season with a 3.95 ERA and 20:5 K:BB across 13.2 frames.