MLB Player News

The White Sox designated Cousin for assignment Tuesday.

Cousin was sent to Double-A Birmingham to begin the 2024 season, but he has yet to make his first appearance of the year. The 26-year-old righty will likely clear waivers and remain in the Barons' rotation for most of the season.

Urquidy (forearm) threw off the front slope of the mound Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's a big step as Urquidy continues to work his way back from a right forearm strain. He will progress to facing hitters and eventually go out on a rehab assignment, although it's not clear yet when that might happen. A Houston rotation that's been hit hard by injury could use Urquidy, but the team won't rush the right-hander.

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw from up to 75 feet Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole has been playing catch for about a week, throwing from 60 feet on flat ground. He didn't throw Monday but is slated to resume play catch Tuesday, moving out an additional 15 feet. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner appears to be making steady progress in his recovery from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He's eligible to come off the 60-day IL in late May.

Whitley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

It's the first stint in the big leagues for Whitley, who has permitted four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings for Sugar Land this season. The former top prospect has moved to relief this season following years of injuries and control problems.

Arrighetti was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

Arrighetti was much better Monday against Atlanta in his second major-league start than he was in his first outing, allowing two runs while striking out five over four innings. However, with Justin Verlander (shoulder) expected back later this week, Arrighetti will now slide back into the Sugar Land rotation.

Rogers will move up a day to start Wednesday versus the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Rogers last started Friday, so he will be pitching on regular rest. He's filling in for A.J. Puk, who is battling an illness.

Puk (illness) won't be available to start Wednesday's game against the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Puk was initially scheduled to toe the rubber for Monday's series opener but ended up getting pushed back to Wednesday due to an illness. Since he's still feeling under the weather, the Marlins have opted to push Puk back at least one more day, enabling Trevor Rogers to start Wednesday on four days' rest. It's not yet clear when Puk might be ready to take the ball next, but the Marlins have an opening Thursday versus the Cubs and are probably hoping he'll feel well enough to take the hill that day.

The Astros will recall Whitley from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Tuesday's game versus Atlanta, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley was once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball before his career got sidetracked by numerous injuries and control problems. He got a late start to the season at Sugar Land because of a finger injury but returned to make three appearances, allowing four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings. Whitley will work as a reliever for a bullpen that's in need of a fresh arm.

Gipson-Long (forearm/groin) will receive further medical evaluation before the Tigers determine the next steps in his rehab program, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Gipson-Long was on a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland while coming back from a groin injury, but he was pulled off the assignment last week after experiencing right forearm tightness. That he continues to be evaluated isn't a great sign that he'll be able to return to the mound in the near future, but the Tigers should have more clarification on his status later this week.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said April 6 that Cavalli (elbow) is expected to begin facing live hitters at some point this month, MLB.com reports.

Throwing live batting practice sessions would mark a step forward in Cavalli's recovery from his March 2023 Tommy John surgery, as the right-hander had been limited to tossing bullpen sessions during spring training. Cavalli will likely face live hitters in controlled settings for a few weeks before eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment that will likely last for most of the 30-day rehab window. Cavalli opened the season on the 60-day injured list and isn't on track to make his 2024 debut until at least late May, though a June return is probably more realistic.